Morane-Saulnier Epervier Explained

The Morane-Saulnier MS.1500 Épervier (en: Sparrowhawk) was a 1950s French two-seat ground attack and reconnaissance aircraft. Designed and built by Morane-Saulnier to meet a French Air Force requirement, it did not enter production.

Development

Designed to meet a requirement for a tactical reconnaissance and counter-insurgency aircraft for use by the French Air Force in Algeria the Epervier was a tandem two-seat low-wing cantilever monoplane. Powered by a) Turbomeca Bastan turboprop the MS.1500 had a fixed tailwheel landing gear. The prototype first flew on the 12 May 1958 powered by a) Turbomeca Marcadau turboprop. A second prototype was built but the type did not enter production.

Bibliography

• Book: Cuny, Jean. Les avions de combat français, 2: Chasse lourde, bombardement, assaut, exploration. Ed. Larivière. 1989. Docavia. 30. 36836833. fr. French Combat Aircraft 2: Heavy Fighters, Bombers, Attack, Reconnaissance.
• Rossignol. Jean-Pierre. Ce fut le dernier avion de la fameuse lignée M.S.... Morane Saulnier 1500 "Epervier". Le Fana de l'Aviation . February 1978 . 99 . 24–29 . 0757-4169 . fr . The Last Aircraft from a Famous Line: The Morane Saulnier 1500 Epervier.

Further reading

• Book: Lacaze . Henri . Lherbert . Claude . Morane Saulnier: ses avions, ses projets . 2013 . Lela Presse . Outreau, France . 978-2-914017-70-1 . fr. amp. Morane Saulnier: Their Aircraft and Projects.