The Morane Saulnier Type L
Although not well known, the two seat Morane Saulnier Type L parasol played a large role in WWI aviation between 1914 and 1916. Some 600 were produced by France for the unglamorous reconnaissance role. But it was also the first operational tractor airplane to be armed with a fixed machine gun firing through the propeller arc and the first aircraft used to destroy a German Zeppelin in flight.
The design dated from August 1913 and first 50 Type L parasols were ordered by Turkey rather than by the France. The Aviation Militaire permitted this but required these were to be powered only by a Gnome 50hp engine as all 80hp engines were reserved for French aircraft. They had the prototype’s wing span of 33ft, 5 1/2in. With war imminent and mobilization ordered, the Turkish Moranes were impressed, apparently re-engined with the 80hp LeRhone 9c, and used to equip two reconnaissance Escadrilles, MS23 and MS26.
At the same time, full production was begun for the Aviation Militaire. With full production, the Type L had an increased wingspan of 36ft, 9in, and wing cutouts to accommodate the observer in the rear seat. Soon design improvements included a lengthened nose section and repositioned landing gear legs among other minor variations. The Aviation Militaire used the Type L extensively throughout 1914, 1915 and early 1916.
In 1914, the British RFC in France accepted 52 Type L Parasols for No.3 Squadron with a few going to No.1 and No,12 Squadrons. Also an order of 25 was placed by the RNAS for No.3 wing at Mudros, Lemnos, Greece and No.1 Wing at Dunkerque. Flying from Dunkerque, on June 7, 1915, Flt Sub Lieutenant R. A. J. Warneford destroyed Zeppelin LZ37, the first in mid air, by bombing it with six 20Lb Hales bombs. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his success.
Under licenses obtained just prior to hostilities, Pfalz Flugzeugwerks GmbH produced some 60 virtually identical aircraft, powered by Oberursel engines as the Pfalz A.I, A.II and E.III types (carrying a Spandau MG with an interrupter gear). These were flown by the Bavarian flying units up to mid 1916.
Also under license, the Russian companies Duks and Lebed manufactured approximately 450 Type L Parasols for the Czar’s Imperial Russian Air Force.
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The model, textures. panel and air files are by Captain Kurt. The pilot figures were developed from Wolfi's freeware Japanese pilot .fsc source file. The prop spinning texture is by Kelticheart.
Gauges are by Martin Klein.
Sounds are from the Nieuport by Gary Aumaugher.
Although not well known, the two seat Morane Saulnier Type L parasol played a large role in WWI aviation between 1914 and 1916. Some 600 were produced by France for the unglamorous reconnaissance role. But it was also the first operational tractor airplane to be armed with a fixed machine gun firing through the propeller arc and the first aircraft used to destroy a German Zeppelin in flight.
The design dated from August 1913 and first 50 Type L parasols were ordered by Turkey rather than by the France. The Aviation Militaire permitted this but required these were to be powered only by a Gnome 50hp engine as all 80hp engines were reserved for French aircraft. They had the prototype’s wing span of 33ft, 5 1/2in. With war imminent and mobilization ordered, the Turkish Moranes were impressed, apparently re-engined with the 80hp LeRhone 9c, and used to equip two reconnaissance Escadrilles, MS23 and MS26.
At the same time, full production was begun for the Aviation Militaire. With full production, the Type L had an increased wingspan of 36ft, 9in, and wing cutouts to accommodate the observer in the rear seat. Soon design improvements included a lengthened nose section and repositioned landing gear legs among other minor variations. The Aviation Militaire used the Type L extensively throughout 1914, 1915 and early 1916.
In 1914, the British RFC in France accepted 52 Type L Parasols for No.3 Squadron with a few going to No.1 and No,12 Squadrons. Also an order of 25 was placed by the RNAS for No.3 wing at Mudros, Lemnos, Greece and No.1 Wing at Dunkerque. Flying from Dunkerque, on June 7, 1915, Flt Sub Lieutenant R. A. J. Warneford destroyed Zeppelin LZ37, the first in mid air, by bombing it with six 20Lb Hales bombs. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his success.
Under licenses obtained just prior to hostilities, Pfalz Flugzeugwerks GmbH produced some 60 virtually identical aircraft, powered by Oberursel engines as the Pfalz A.I, A.II and E.III types (carrying a Spandau MG with an interrupter gear). These were flown by the Bavarian flying units up to mid 1916.
Also under license, the Russian companies Duks and Lebed manufactured approximately 450 Type L Parasols for the Czar’s Imperial Russian Air Force.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The model, textures. panel and air files are by Captain Kurt. The pilot figures were developed from Wolfi's freeware Japanese pilot .fsc source file. The prop spinning texture is by Kelticheart.
Gauges are by Martin Klein.
Sounds are from the Nieuport by Gary Aumaugher.
