| Morane Saulnier A-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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During the first half of
1917, Robert and Leon Morane, and Raymond Saulnier presented
their newest fighter aircraft, the Morane Saulnier A-1 to
the French military for review. It was favorably
accepted and was produced in large numbers. Despite
the fact that the Morane's flight characteristics were well
liked by many pilots, the duration of its active service was
limited to a mere three months. It was withdrawn from
combat as a result of alleged structural failures and
reliability problems with the 160 hp Gnome engine.
Many remaining aircraft of this type were refitted with
smaller, more reliable powerplants and used as advanced
trainers for the duration of the war, and afterwards as
well.
Famed aviator Charles Nungesser was known to demonstrate his aerobatic skills to the public with his own personal M.S. A-1 after the war. In 1919, Lt. Temple Joyce became the world's champion "looper", completing 300 consecutive loops with his A-1. One year later the record was raised to 1,111 consecutive loops performed by Alfred Fronval in his A-1. Successful exhibition flying of this type seems to contradict the question of the aircraft’s lack of structural integrity. The museum's example is an original aircraft. It was purchased along with another A-1 by Cole Palen at an auction in 1981, and was restored in 1985. It flew at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome several years. The second A-1 was converted to a Morane Salnier N during restoration, and is on display in the World War I building. |
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