Morane-Saulnier AC

Type AC
Role Fighter
National origin France
Manufacturer Morane-Saulnier
Introduction late 1916
Retired soon after
Primary user Armée de l'Air
Number built 32

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

 France
 United Kingdom

Specifications


Data from War Planes of the First World War:Volume Five Fighters[2]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

References

Notes

  1. ↑ Bruce 1972, pp. 95–97.
  2. ↑ Bruce 1972, p. 104.
  3. ↑ Climb to 2,000 m (6,650 ft):5 min 55 s.

Bibliography

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