Morane-Saulnier AC explained
The
Morane-Saulnier AC, also known as
Morane-Saulnier Type AC and
MoS 23, was a French fighter of the 1910s.
Development
The AC was conceived in mid-1916, being derived from the Type N via the unbuilt Type U. It differed from earlier single-seat Morane-Saulnier aircraft in that it had ailerons for lateral control rather than wing warping, and because of its rigid wing bracing, with a wire braced truss of steel tubes supporting the wings from below.[1] It appeared in autumn of that year, and was found to be aerodynamically clean.
Operational history
The AC's first flight is unrecorded, however it is assumed that it was late summer 1916. After initial testing thirty aircraft were ordered for the Aviation Militaire. Although of advanced design and good performance, the AC was considered inferior to the SPAD S.VII and therefore was not adopted in quantity. Two examples were provided to the Royal Flying Corps for evaluation.
Operators
References
Bibliography
- Book: Bruce, J.M. . War Planes of the First World War:Volume Five Fighters . 1972. Macdonald. London . 0-356-03779-7.
- Book: Davilla. Dr. James J.. Soltan. Arthur . French Aircraft of the First World War. Flying Machines Press. Mountain View, CA. 1997. 978-1891268090.
- Book: Green, William . Gordon Swanborough . The Complete Book of Fighters . Salamander Books. Godalming, UK. 415.
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.
Notes and References
- Bruce 1972, pp. 95–97.
