|
 |
| Morane-Saulnier
Type L |
 |
No.
3 Sqn RFC
Source: via LA Rogers
Image: © R. N. Pearson |
|
|
|
|
|
| A "parasol" monoplane, the Morane-Saulnier
Type L was a one or two-seat fighter
reconnaissance aircraft. It was the
first aircraft armed with a fixed machine
gun that fired through the propeller
arc. Any bullets, that struck the propeller,
were deflected by steel plates. Armed
with a Hotchkiss machine gun firing
8 mm solid copper bullets, famous ace
, Roland Garros, tested the design in
April 1915. He proceeded to score three
victories in three successive weeks
before the plane was captured by the
Germans. In 19 December 1915, Captain
M. Bell-Irving of Vancouver, BC flying
a Parasol from No 1 (RFC) Squadron engaged
three enemy aircraft, destroying one
and driving off the others. He evaded
others and pressed home further attacks
being wounded in the process. He was
subsequently awarded the Distinguished
Service Order, the first decoration
won by a Canadian in the RFC. It also
achieved fame when British Sub-Lieutenant
Warneford brought down Zeppelin LZ37
with bombs mounted on his undercarriage.
The MoS Type L was also the aircraft
French Ace Georges Guynemer flew to
achieve his first aerial victory. |
|
|
| SPECIFICATIONS |
| Country: |
France |
| Manufacturer: |
Société des Aéroplanes
Morane-Saulnier |
| Type: |
Fighter Reconnaissance |
| First
Service: |
1913 |
| Number
Built: |
600 |
| Engine(s): |
Gnome, rotary, 80 hp |
| Wing Span: |
36 ft 9 in |
| Length: |
22 ft 6¾ in |
| Height: |
12 ft 10½ in |
| Empty
Weight: |
1,032 lb |
| Gross
Weight: |
1,441 lb |
| Max Speed: |
71.5 mph |
| Ceiling: |
13,123 ft |
| Endurance: |
2.5 hours |
| Crew: |
1 or 2 |
| Armament: |
1 machine gun |
|
|
|
|
|
