Morane-Saulnier L

French airplane

In 1911 Brothers Robert and Leon Morane and Raymond Saulnier founded an aircraft factory. Already in 1912. production of Morane-Saulnier H and G planes started. W1913. the L. version was designed in which the upper lobe was placed above the fuselage. It was a two-seater machine and was called the Morane-Saulnier Parasol. The plane did not have ailerons and the tail was floating. At the same time, the production of an improved version of the P was started - it had a classic tail, ailerons, a streamlined fuselage and a propeller cap. It was on Morane-Saulnier L that Roland Garros and Raymond Saulnier first installed a rifle with deflectors on the propeller blade.The solution had many disadvantages, but it was a few months ahead of the appearance of synchronizers, providing a relatively effective means of air combat R. Garros was the first pilot to on Morane-Saulnier L Parasol shot down a German Albatros reconnaissance aircraft.

During production, the Morane-Saulnier L underwent a number of improvements. Ailerons and a classic tail were added. The new version was called Morane-Saulnier LA. Morane-Saulnier L, LA and P were equipped with many French and two British squadrons. A total of 600 Morane-Saulnier L and LA and 585 Morane-Saulnier P were built by the end of 1916. The Morane-Saulnter was a two-seater reconnaissance or hunting drone with a wooden structure. The fuselage and the wings were covered with linen. The plane was powered by a Ghnome or Le Rhone rotary engine with a capacity of 80 HP. The plane was armed with a Hotchkiss machine gun, which was placed on the upper wing, and in the two-seater version in the observer's cabin. It was on Morane-Saulnier that Jean Navarre together with Rene Chambe was the first pilot who managed to destroy the German airship from March 21-22, 1915, as the newspapers described, "He cut it with machine gun bullets with incredible force like an ordinary kitchen knife"
Technical data:
Engine: Le Rhone (rotary)
Power: 80 hp
Range; 11.20m
Length: 6.80 m
Height: 3.14 m
Bearing surface: 18.00 m2
Own weight: 395 kg
Gross weight: 670 kg
Top speed: 127 km / h
Rate of climb: 2.78trVs
Service ceiling 3500 m
Range 250 km
Flight time 2.30 hours