Morane-Saulnier V
The Morane-Saulnier V, also known as the Morane-Saulnier Type V was a French fighter of the 1910s.
| Type V | |
|---|---|
| Role | Fighter |
| National origin | France |
| Manufacturer | Morane-Saulnier |
| First flight | April 1916 |
| Introduction | RFC - 13 May 1916 IRAS - 1 April 1917 |
| Retired | RFC - 19 October 1916 IRAS - late 1917 |
| Primary user | Royal Flying Corps Imperial Russian Air Service |
| Number built | 30 |
Development
Developed in parallel with the Morane-Saulnier I, the Type V was similar to the I but was larger with a three-hour endurance. It also differed in that it had larger wing and deepened ventral contours to accommodate extra fuel tanks. An intended development fitted with ailerons was planned as the Morane-Saulnier U, but was not flown.
Operational history
Developed at the beginning of 1916, the Type V was intended primarily to meet a Royal Flying Corps requirement, and the service of the Type V was officially accepted in May 1916. However, like the Type I, the aircraft proved to be unpopular across-the-board and the Type V was retired from service only 5 months later. However, in 1917 18 aircraft were in service with the Imperial Russian Air Service (IRAS). It is believed that these were acquired by the Bolshevik Red Air Fleet during the Russian Revolution.
Operators
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- Soviet Air Force - Aircraft taken from IRAS during Russian Revolution
Variants
- Morane-Saulnier V
- company designation
- MS.22
- official French government STAe designation for the V
Specifications
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 5.81 m (19 ft 1 in)
- Wingspan: 8.75 m (28 ft 8 in)
- Powerplant: 1 × Le Rhône 9J nine-cylinder rotary engine , 82 kW (110 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 165 km/h (102 mph, 89 kn)
- Endurance: 3 hours 0 minutes
Armament
- 1 x 7.7mm cockpit-mounted Vickers gun
References
- Davilla, Dr. James J.; Soltan, Arthur (1997). French Aircraft of the First World War. Mountain View, CA: Flying Machines Press. ISBN 978-1891268090.
- Green, William; Gordon Swanborough. The Complete Book of Fighters. Godalming, UK: Salamander Books. p. 414.