Morane-Saulnier Epervier

MS.1500 Epervier
Role Ground-attack and reconnaissance monoplane
National origin France
Manufacturer Morane-Saulnier
First flight 12 May 1958
Number built 2

The Morane-Saulnier MS.1500 Épervier (en: Sparrowhawk) was a 1950s French two-seat ground attack and reconnaissance aircraft.[1] Designed and built by Morane-Saulnier to meet a French Air Force requirement, it did not enter production.[1]

Development

Designed to meet a requirement for a tactical reconnaissance and counter-insurgency aircraft for use by the French Air Force in Algeria the Epervier was a tandem two-seat low-wing cantilever monoplane.[1] Powered by a 522 kW (700 hp)) Turbomeca Bastan turboprop the MS.1500 had a fixed tailwheel landing gear.[1] The prototype first flew on the 12 May 1958 powered by a 300 kW (402 hp)) Turbomeca Marcadau turboprop.[2][3] A second prototype was built but the type did not enter production.[1]

Specifications (Epervier with Bastan engine)

Data from The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft,[1] Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1958-59,[2] Aviafreance : Morane-Saulnier MS.1500[4]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 10.58 m (34 ft 9 in) [3]
  • Wingspan: 13.06 m (42 ft 10 in)
  • Height: 3.30 m (10 ft 10 in) [3]
  • Wing area: 24.3 m2 (262 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 1,660 kg (3,660 lb) [3]
  • Max takeoff weight: 2,850 kg (6,283 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Turbomeca Bastan IV turboprop, 560 kW (750 shp)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed constant-speed propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 315 km/h (196 mph, 170 kn)
  • Range: 700 km (430 mi, 380 nmi)
  • Ferry range: 1,300 km (810 mi, 700 nmi) [3]
  • Rate of climb: 8 m/s (1,600 ft/min) minimum[3]

Armament

  • Rockets: 6 × rocket pods
  • Bombs: 6 × 50 kg (110 lb) anti-personnel bombs

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing. p. 2560.
  2. ^ a b Bridgman, Leonard, ed. (1957). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1958-59. London: Jane's All the World's Aircraft Publishing Co. Ltd. p. 159.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Green, William; Pollinger, Gerald (1959). The Observer's Book of Aircraft. London & New York: Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd. pp. 186–187.
  4. ^ Parmentier, Bruno (17 December 1999). "Morane-Saulnier MS-1500". Aviafrance (in French). Retrieved 5 March 2020.

Bibliography

  • Cuny, Jean (1989). Les avions de combat français, 2: Chasse lourde, bombardement, assaut, exploration [French Combat Aircraft 2: Heavy Fighters, Bombers, Attack, Reconnaissance]. Docavia (in French). Vol. 30. Ed. Larivière. OCLC 36836833.
  • Rossignol, Jean-Pierre (February 1978). "Ce fut le dernier avion de la fameuse lignée M.S.... Morane Saulnier 1500 "Epervier"" [The Last Aircraft from a Famous Line: The Morane Saulnier 1500 Epervier]. Le Fana de l'Aviation (in French) (99): 24–29. ISSN 0757-4169.

Further reading

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Morane-Saulnier MS.1500 Epervier.
  • Lacaze, Henri & Lherbert, Claude (2013). Morane Saulnier: ses avions, ses projets [Morane Saulnier: Their Aircraft and Projects] (in French). Outreau, France: Lela Presse. ISBN 978-2-914017-70-1.