History

The Morane-Saulnier Type L, built during 1915, was one of the most successful fighter aircraft of the early days of the first world war. It was equipped with one fixed machine gun, shooting through the propeller circle. The propeller was fitted with so-called deflectors to prevent damage by the bullets.
The original Morane-Saulnier L used wing warping, but later a version with ailerons, type LA was developed.

The Morane-Saulnier L, was built in a number of 600 examples under the designation M.S.3 It was even built under license by the Pfalz Flugzeugwerke as unarmed Pfalz A.I and A.II reconnaissance aircraft, but later also as armed Pfalz E.III,

 

Technical information
Dimensions:
Length: 6,88 m Wingspan: 11,2 m
Height: 3,93 m Wing area: 18,3 m2
Weights:
Empty weight: 385 kg Max. start weight: 655 kg
Performances:
Max. speed: 115 km/hr Climbing speed: 5,75 min to 1000 m
Cruising speed: - km/hr    
Range: 2,5 hours Service ceiling: 4000 m
Miscellaneous:
Engine type: One Gnôme 80 rated 80 hp
Crew: Two men: one aviator plus one observer/air gunner
Armament: -

 


One Morane-Saulnier, RFC serial 1845, airman lt. A.J. Evans, no 3 Squadron RFC made an emergency landing near Schoore on January 22, 1915. It was interned as  LA35. In 1918 it received the new serial M23 and it was used as trainer.

The technical service of the LVA converted the aircraft to shoulder-decker, so it became in fact identical to its immediate predecessor the Morane G.

Morane L Parasol nr. 1845 op Soesterberg. Rechts voor. Geïnterneerd te Schore 22 jan. 1915. Vlieger lt. A.J. Evans van RFC no. 3 Sq. LVA reg. LA35.
Morane L Parasol nr. 1845 at Soesterberg with still RFC markings.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Ombouwen Morane L LA35 tot middendekker. Proefbelasting van de vleugel.
Modified Morane L, LA35 . Testing of the re-positioned wing.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Een Morane L staat op een verder lege vlieghei.
Morane L at Soesterberg.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Morane L LA35 na de ombouw. Rompneus en motor.
Modified Morane L LA35.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

 


Serial2nd SerialConstr. nr.Date in serviceDate out of serviceNotes
LA35 M-23 1845 22-1-1915 1919  

 


1/72nd Scale

Kits

  • Ardpol
    • Kit 72-029: a resin kit of a Morane Saulnier L.
  • Az Model
    • Kit 72081: an injection moulded kit of a Morane Saulnier L Parasol.
  • HR Models
    • Kit XX: a resin kit of a Morane L Parasol
  • Scale Planes
    • Kit 006: a vacu formed model.

Modelling add-on

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Decals

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1/48th Scale

Kits

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Modelling add-on

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Decals

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SchemeColor nameFS numberBS-numberHumbrolXtraColorVallejo Model ColorVallejo Model Air
Standard #1Wings and tail. Doped linen     41   70.918  
Wooden parts Varnish            
metal struts and cowling bare metal            

Check www.paint4models.com for an extensive conversion table with lots of colour and paint systems.

 


Literature.

Air Enthusiast no.80 The Historical Aviation Journal: Unexpected Windfalls Bart van der Klaauw Pag. 54 - 59 1999 Uitgever: Key Publishing, Stamford
KLu Vliegtuigen: De vliegtuigen van de Koninklijke Luchtmacht vanaf 1913 Wim Schoenmaker & Thijs Postma Pag. 18 1987 Uitgeverij De Alk, Alkmaar
Aircraft Archive Aircraft of World War One; Volume 2.   Pag. 39 - 41 1989 Uitgever: Argus Books, Hempsted

 

Websites.

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