Due to the shape of its nose, the Morane-Saulnier Type N was aptly nicknamed the "Bullet." Built in small numbers, it was the first French aircraft specifically developed as a fighter. Armed with a fixed, forward firing machine gun, its propeller was protected by the metal deflector plates pioneered by Roland Garros on the Morane-Saulnier Type L. Although it was faster and more maneuverable than previous aircraft, the Bullet was extremely difficult to fly and unpopular with pilots. |
Morane Saulnier N Type: Fighter First Introduced: 1914 Number Built: 49 Engine: Le Rhône 9C, 9 cylinder rotary 80 hp Wing Span: 26 ft 8½ in 8.15 m Length: 19 ft 1½ in 5.83 m Height: 7 ft 4½ in 2.25 m Gross Weight: 976 lb 444 kg Max Speed: 90 mph 144 km/h Ceiling: 13,123 ft 4000 m Endurance: 1½ hours Crew: 1 Armament: 1 machine gun |
The Nieuport 10 biplane was originally designed for racing, this light plane was fast and relatively maneuverable. Its major design problems were its fragility, and its lack of a synchronized machine gun. Most were exported to Russia, Italy and Britian |
Nieuport 10 Type: Fighter First Introduced: 1914 Engine: 1 x "Gnome" 80 hp. Wingspan: 8.20 m Length: 7.10 m Weight: 409 kg/658 kg Max. speed: 140 km/h Ceiling: 4570 Crew: 1 Armament: 1 x machinegun |
The small Nieuport 11 biplane was affectionately known as the "Bébé" (baby). Originally designed for racing, this light plane was fast and extremely maneuverable. Its only major problem was in the design of its wing struts. In a steep dive, the struts allowed the wings to twist, sometimes with disastrous results. Used by the British and French to counter the Fokker E.III, the Nieuport 11 was disadvantaged by its lack of a synchronized machine gun. |
Nieuport 11 Type: Fighter First Introduced: July 1915 Engine: Le Rhône 9C, 9 cylinder, rotary 80 hp Wing Span: 24 ft 9 in 7.55 m Length: 19 ft 1/3 in 5.8 m Height: 8 ft 1/2 in 2.45 m Gross Weight: 1,060 lb 480 kg Max Speed: 97 mph 156 km/h at sea level Ceiling: 15,090 ft 4,600 m Endurance: 2 hrs 30 mins Crew: 1 Armament: 1 Lewis gun, on the upper wing |
One of the more outlandish attempts to design an aircraft with forward firing capabilities. The gunner/observer sat in a small cabin that was attached in front of the prop of the engine. There were many problems with this design, ranging from lack of communication between crew members, to a safety issue for the observer. Many of these planes were exported to Russia. |
SPAD A2 Type: Fighter Reconaisence First Introduced: 1915 Engine: 1 x Rhone 9C 80 hp. Wingspan: 9.55 m Length: 7.29 m Weight: 535 kg/815 kg Max. speed: 112 km/h Ceiling: 3000 Crew: 1 Armament: 1 x machinegun |
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Original material copyright © 7/8/99 W. Ira Boucher. All Rights Reserved. |