Morane-Saulnier Type AI's

If the Flying Machines Press French book is to be believed, then MoS Type AI's were formed into three Escadrille's: 156, 158 and 161. I have not only the FMP book, but also the Mini-Datafile, Windsock Vol 8 No 3, and Over the Front, Vol 9 No 1 (which contains a short history of Esc.156). Are there any other photo's of MoS Type AI's besides these sources? Specifically, are there any photo's of MSP 161 machines? TIA!

Matt Bittner
http://pease1.sr.unh.edu/misc/ww1fr.htm

Hi Matt. I just looked the A-1 over at one of Kermit Weeks facilities in Florida on a trip there over New Years. I am constructing a steel tube version with a 220 Continental. The Salis collection in France of course has several operating. I'd much appreciate any supplementary info. you may acquire concerning them. I have the "Mini-file" and not much else. I understand the Salis people love the flight characteristics. It would throw wings as originally constructed: the brilliant French engineer Caquout worked on the problem and added a grouping of extra struts which created so much drag as to reduce the top speed to an unsatifactory extent. The 160 Gnomes have been cited as another reason for the withdrawal of the A-1s from the front but the N-28 used the same engine with generally satisfactory results. Lt. de Laage C.O. of the Excadrille Lafayette was killed when he borrowed a visiting one and lost power on takeoff at Ham in May of 1918. Wish I had more info myself. I did get a copy of a parts catalog for it from WWI Aeroplane which will give me the exterior dimensions I need. Well, best regards and good luck as re acquiring more data on what might be the most attractive of all WWI ships.VBR. Lee

It appears as though Spa.150 may have flown MoS A1s at least briefly. See Windsock Vol11, No6 pg30. There is a photo of Sergent Henry E Stickney beside one although it is a forward shot and no markings are visible. The text doesn't appear to mention the A1. Maybe it was a trainer?

[leo]

Matt:
I have a source you may have not seen. " Fighters, Warplanes of the First World War" by J. M. Bruce Vol. 5 pp-111-122 published by Doubleday NYC 1972.

leo

What exactly is in there on the AI?


Matt Bittner