Morane-Saulnier P

Last updated
Type P/MS.21/MS.24/MS.26
Morane-Saulnier P French First World War reconnaissance aircraft in RFC markings.jpg
Royal Flying Corps MS.24 Type P
General information
TypeReconnaissance
Manufacturer Aéroplanes Morane-Saulnier
Primary users Aéronautique Militaire
Number built595
History
Introduction date1916
First flight1916

The Morane-Saulnier Type P (official designations MS.21, MS.24 and MS.26) was a French parasol wing two-seat reconnaissance aeroplane of the First World War. Morane-Saulnier built 595 for the French air force, and it was also used by the British until 1916-17.

Contents

Development

French Morane-Saulnier P (MS.26) at Aisne, April 1917 Morane-Saulnier P (MS 26) at Aisne, April 1917 (cropped).jpg
French Morane-Saulnier P (MS.26) at Aisne, April 1917

In addition to being fitted with ailerons and having a more streamlined fuselage, the Type P was faster and better armed than its better known ancestor, the Type L (MS.3) and had a more developed structure compared to the intermediate Morane-Saulnier LA (MS.4).

Three versions were built under Morane-Saulnier's factory designation of Type P, the first being the MS.21, which although externally similar to the Type LA, had its internal structure completely redesigned, with the most visible evidence being the more robust center section struts, and with other details borrowed from the Type N (MS.5), such as a substantial spinner, known as the "casserole".

The MS.24 was built specifically for the Royal Flying Corps to operate alongside their Morane-Saulnier LAs while replacing those lost to attrition, but due to shortages of the 110 hp (82 kW) Le Rhône rotary engine used in the MS.21, it was powered by an 80 hp (60 kW) Le Rhône. The RFC also operated the MS.21.

The MS.26 was similar to the MS.21, but was fitted with a 120 hp (89 kW) Le Rhône engine which was enclosed in a full cowling, and like the 24, dispensed with the spinner commonly found on the MS.21.

Variants

Morane-Saulnier MS.26/type P rouleur trainer Morane rouleur Issoudun Field 1 1918.jpg
Morane-Saulnier MS.26/type P rouleur trainer
Type P
MS.21
MS.24
MS.26
Rouleur/Penguin
Chasseur

Operators

Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil
Flag of France.svg  France
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom

Specifications (Type P/MS.21)

Data fromThe Aeroplanes of the Royal Flying Corps (Military Wing) [1]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

See also

Related development

Related lists

References

Citations

  1. Bruce 1982, p. 312.

Bibliography

Further reading