Morane-Saulnier M.S.225

Morane-Saulnier M.S.225

Role: Fighter
Manufacturer: Morane-Saulnier

The Morane-Saulnier M.S.225 was a French fighter aircraft of the 1930s. It was produced in limited quantities to be used as a transitional aircraft between the last of the biplanes and the first monoplane fighters.

Development

Created as a stop-gap before the introduction of more advanced aircraft still under development, the Morane-Saulnier M.S.225 was first shown in the form of a model at the Paris Air Show of 1932. After successful flight tests of the prototype, series production started at once.

Classified in the category C.1 (single-seat fighter), seventy-five aircraft were produced. Fifty-three aircraft were delivered to the Air Force in November 1933. The Aéronavale received the first of the sixteen planes it had ordered in February 1934. Three were also sold to China.

Design

The M.S.225 was a parasol monoplane, with a wide fixed landing gear, and powered by a Gnome-Rhx´ne 9Krsd radial engine. Having a circular fuselage the M.S.225 was much more robust than its immediate predecessor, the M.S.224.

Operational history

The M.S.225's of the Armée de l'Air served in the 7e Escadre de Chasse (7th Fighter Wing) at Dijon, and in 2 escadrilles of the 42e Escadre (42nd Wing), based at Rheims. They were withdrawn from front-line service between 1936 and 1937. The aircraft also flew with the Aéronavale l'Escadrille 3C1, established in Marignane, this formation later transferring to the Air Force at the beginning of 1936, where it became Le Groupe de Chasse II/8.

The Air Force Aerobatic Squadron based at x‰tampes used five modified M.S.225's, with a larger vertical stabilizer, while the last unit of the Air Force to operate this aircraft was the flying school based at Salon-de-Provence.

On the outbreak of World War II, only twenty M.S.225's were still in flying condition, the majority of them being scrapped in mid-1940.

Variants

M.S.226 : Version fitted with an arrestor hook in 1933 for aircraft carrier operations.
M.S.226 bis : Version of the M.S.226 used as test bench for the 515 kW (690 hp) Hispano-Suiza 12XCrs engine, with a four-bladed propeller.
M.S.227 : First flying in 1934, this version had a modified aerofoil and empennage, and was powered by a 515 kW (690 hp) Gnome-Rhx´ne 9Krse; maximum speed of 350 km/h to 4,000 m (1 prototype only).
M.S.275 : Powered by a 515 kW (690 hp) Gnome-Rhone 9krse engine, fitted with modified wings and tail unit. This version of the M.S.225 was never put into production.
M.S.278 : Conversion of the M.S.225 equipped with a 388 kW (520 hp) Clerget 14Fos diesel engine.

Operators

France

Armee de l'Air
Aeronavale

China

Three aircraft only.

Specifications (M.S.225)

Data from

General characteristics

Crew: one, pilot
Length: 7.24 m (23 ft 9 in)
Wingspan: 10.56 m (34 ft 8 in)
Height: 3.29 m (10 ft 9.5in)
Wing area: 17.20 m² (185 ft²)
Empty weight: 1,215 kg (2,673 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 1,580 kg (3,160 lb)
Powerplant: 1x— Gnome-Rhx´ne 9Kbrs 9-cylinder radial engine, 373 kW (500 hp)

Performance

Maximum speed: 335 km/h (181 knots, 208 mph)
Range: 700 km (378 nm, 435 mi)
Service ceiling: 9,500 m (31,160 ft)

Armament

2 x— 7.7 mm (.303 in) Vickers machine guns mounted on the fuselage

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Source: WikiPedia