Morane-Saulnier AI

AI
Role	fighter/trainer
National origin	France
Manufacturer	Morane-Saulnier
First flight	August 1917
Primary user	French Air Force
Number built	1210[1]

The Morane-Saulnier AI (also Type AI) was a French parasol-wing fighter aircraft produced by Morane-Saulnier during World War I.

Development and design

The AI was developed to replace the obsolete Morane-Saulnier Type N. Its engine was mounted in a circular open-front cowling. The parasol wing was swept back. The spars and ribs of the circular section fuselage were wood, wire-braced and covered in fabric.^[2] The production aircraft were given service designations based on whether they had 1 gun (designated MoS 27) or 2 guns (designated MoS 29).^[1][3]

Operational history

A number of escadrilles were created to operated the AI, but by mid-May 1918, most of the aircraft were replaced by the SPAD XIII.^[2] The aircraft became an advanced trainer, designated MoS 30.^[3]

Fifty-one MoS 30s were purchased by the American Expeditionary Force as pursuit trainers.^[3]

Variants

MoS 27

Production fighter variant with one 0.303in (7.7mm) Vickers machine gun and powered by a Gnome Monosoupape 9NI rotary engine.

MoS 29

Production fighter variant with two 0.303in (7.7mm) Vickers machine guns and powered by a Gnome Monosoupape 9NI rotary engine.

MoS 30

Production advanced trainer with either a 89kW (120hp) Le Rhone 9Jb or a 101kW (135hp) Le Rhone 9Jby rotary engine.

MoS 30bis

Variant of the MoS 30 with a de-rated Le Rhone 9Jby engine 67kW (90hp).

Operators

 Belgium

 France

• French Air Force
  • Escadrille 156
  • Escadrille 158
  • Escadrille 161

 Japan

 Soviet Union

 Switzerland

 United States

• American Expeditionary Force

Survivors

Three AIs are flown by Jean Salis at La Ferté-Alais.^[1]

An original AI is part of the Fantasy of Flight collection in Polk City, Florida. This particular aircraft was sold to the United States Army Air Service in 1918. This aircraft, along with several others, was shipped to McCook Field in Ohio for testing. Surviving the test programs of the early 1920’s they eventually were sold to private pilots. This AI ended up in the Tallmantz Collection and was acquired by Fantasy of Flight's owner Kermit Weeks when he purchased the collection in 1985. It was sent to England and restored by Personal Plane Services in the late 1980’s.^[4]

Specifications (MoS 27.C1, 150 hp Monosoupape)

Data from War Planes of the First World War: Volume Five Fighters^[5]

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 5.65 m (18 ft 6⅜ in)
• Wingspan: 8.51 m (27 ft 11 in)
• Height: 2.40 m (7 ft 10¼ in)
• Wing area: 13.39 m² (144.1 ft²)
• Empty weight: 421 kg (926 lb)
• Gross weight: 649 kg (1,428 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Gnome Monosoupape 9N, 112 kW (150 hp) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 225 km/h (140 mph)
• Endurance: 1 hours  45 min
• Rate of climb: 8.3 m/s (500^[6] ft/min)

Armament

• 1 7.7mm (0.303-in) Vickers machine gun forward of cockpit

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Donald, 1997. p 659.
2. ^ ^{a b} Holmes, 2005. p 36.
3. ^ ^{a b c} Lamberton, 1960. p 84.
4. ^ Fantasy of Flight
5. ^ Bruce 1973, pp. 122–123.
6. ^ Climb to 1,000 m (3,300 ft) in 2 minutes.

Bibliography

• Bruce, J.M (1972). War Planes of the First World War:Volume Five Fighters. London: Macdonald. ISBN 0 356 03779 7. 
• Donald, David, ed (1997). The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Prospero Books. pp. 659. ISBN 1-85605-375-X. 
• Holmes, Tony (2005). Jane's Vintage Aircraft Recognition Guide. London: Harper Collins. pp. 36. ISBN 0 0071 9292 4. 
• Lamberton, W.M. (1960). Fighter Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War. Herts: Harleyford Publications Ltd.. pp. 84–85.