The Caudron G.4 in the NASM collection, serial # C4263, was built by the Eugene firm and left the factory on December 12, 1916. The marking "12_16" appears on the leading edge of each individual wing section and some other major components of the aircraft, confirming the manufacturing date acquired from archival sources. Its acceptance flight was made at Issy-les-Moulineaux on December 27, 1916. The pilot's name was Gerviès and it was reported that the airplane climbed to 1000 m (3,281 ft) in 7 minutes. The airplane had full radio and photographic equipment, characterized by the A2 reconnaissa

This Caudron, on display at the Udvar-Hazy Center, is among the oldest surviving bomber aircraft and one of the very few remaining multi-engine aircraft extant from WWI. The term 'Blindage 16K' is marked on the rudders, probably indicating that the aircraft was an innovative G.4IB armoured Caudron. The armour consisted of a heavy metal plate (now missing) inserted behind the seat of the rear cockpit, protruding upward so as to cover the back and head of the pilot.

This was the main twin engined aircraft of WW I. It was used as an observation aircraft and for gunnery ranging between 1915 and 1917