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Morane-Saulnier BB

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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
Captured Morane-Saulnier BB

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

 United Kingdom
 Spain
 Russia

Specifications (BB)

Data from Parmentier

General characteristics

  • Crew: Two, pilot and observer

Performance

Notes

  1. ^ a b Taylor 1989, 684
  2. ^ a b c "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft", 2538
  3. ^ Bruce 1982, p.306.

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}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (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.