Morane-Saulnier BB
Type BB, Type BH | |
---|---|
RFC Morane-Saulnier BB | |
Role | Observation aircraft |
National origin | France |
Manufacturer | Morane-Saulnier |
First flight | 1915 |
Primary user | Royal Flying Corps |
Number built | 94 |
The Morane-Saulnier BB was a military observation aircraft produced in France during World War I for use by Britain's Royal Flying Corps.[1][2] It was a conventional single-bay biplane design with seating for the pilot and observer in tandem, open cockpits. The original order called for 150 aircraft powered by 110-hp Le Rhône 9J rotary engines, but shortages meant that most of the 94 aircraft eventually built were delivered with 80 hp Le Rhône 9C rotaries instead.[2] A water-cooled Hispano-Suiza engine was trialled as an alternative in the Type BH, but this remained experimental only.[1]
The type equipped a number of RFC and RNAS squadrons both in its original observation role and, equipped with a forward-firing Lewis gun mounted on the top wing, as a fighter.[2]
Operators
Specifications (BB)
Data from Parmentier
General characteristics
- Crew: Two, pilot and observer
Performance
Notes
References
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft. London: Aerospace Publishing.
- Bruce, J.M. (1982). The Aeroplanes of the Royal Flying Corps (Military Wing). London: Putnam. ISBN 0-370-30084-X.
{{cite book}}
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(help) - Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.
- Parmentier, Bruno. "Morane-Saulnier BB". Aviafrance - Un siècle d'aviation française. Retrieved 2008-11-07.