Airdrome Morane Saulnier L

The Airdrome Morane Saulnier L is an American amateur-built aircraft, designed and produced by Airdrome Aeroplanes, of Holden, Missouri. The aircraft is supplied as a kit for amateur construction.[1]

Airdrome Morane Saulnier L
Role Amateur-built aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Airdrome Aeroplanes
Status In production (2011)
Number built 2 (2011)
Unit cost
US$5,995 (kit less engine and instruments, 2011)
Developed from Morane-Saulnier L

The aircraft is a 3/4 scale replica of the First World War French Morane-Saulnier L fighter, first flown by French aviator Roland Garros to shoot down an enemy aircraft with a forward-firing machine gun in March 1915. The replica is built from modern materials and powered by modern engines.[1]

Design and development

The Airdrome Morane Saulnier L features a parasol wing monoplane layout, a single-seat open cockpit, fixed conventional landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.[1]

The aircraft is made from bolted-together aluminum tubing, with its flying surfaces covered in doped aircraft fabric. The kit is made up of twelve sub-kits. The Airdrome Morane Saulnier L has a wingspan of 26 ft (7.9 m) and a wing area of 120 sq ft (11 m2). It can be equipped with engines ranging from 35 to 52 hp (26 to 39 kW). The standard engine used is the 35 hp (26 kW) Valley Engineering Big Twin four stroke engine. Building time from the factory-supplied kit is estimated at 300 hours by the manufacturer.[1]

Operational history

Two examples had been completed by December 2011.[1]

Specifications (Morane Saulnier L)
Engine detail

Data from Kitplanes[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Length: 17 ft (5.2 m)
  • Wingspan: 26 ft (7.9 m)
  • Wing area: 120 sq ft (11 m2)
  • Empty weight: 356 lb (161 kg)
  • Gross weight: 640 lb (290 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 5 U.S. gallons (19 L; 4.2 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Valley Engineering Big Twin two cylinder, air-cooled, four stroke aircraft engine, 35 hp (26 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed wooden

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 63 mph (101 km/h, 55 kn)
  • Stall speed: 31 mph (50 km/h, 27 kn)
  • Range: 300 mi (480 km, 260 nmi)
  • Rate of climb: 650 ft/min (3.3 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 5.3 lb/sq ft (26 kg/m2)
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References
  1. Vandermeullen, Richard: 2011 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 40. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
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