Morane Saulnier Type L (oz6583)

About this Plan

Morane Saulnier Type L. Stand-off scale WWI parasol model.

Quote: "A semi-scale sport 3 channel aircraft for .19 - .25 engines This model grew out of a desire to fly a semi-scale WW I plane that was quick to build, easy to fly, and would pass as a scale model at a distance of twenty feet and traveling at a speed of about 15 mph!

The Morane-Saulnier Type L filled the bill perfectly - there is only one wing to build; the fuselage is little more than a box; and unlike its full-sized counter-part the model is easy to fly. The full-sized machine, a French observation plane, was tricky on the controls, relatively fast for its time (about 70 mph), and carried no offensive armament, save for a light carbine and whatever other makeshift devices the pilot cared to add.

The fame of this little craft owed much to one such device; six small bombs dropped by Sub-Lieutenant RAJ Warneford on the massive German Zeppelin, LZ.37. The Zeppelin crashed in flames, and Warneford was awarded the Victoria Cross for his action.

Construction of the model should present no problem to anyone who has built a couple of R/C planes before. The stabilizers have been increased in size, and the all-moving tail surfaces of the full-size aircraft replaced by conventional rudder and elevator. Bracing wires have been ommitted and the centersection struts simplified.

Fuselage: Begin by cutting two fuselage sides from 3/32 hard balsa and gluing 1/32 ply doublers fore and aft, Glue the 3/16 square balsa stringers and spacers to the fuselage sides and cut slots for the horizontal stabilizer. Cut the engine bulkhead from 1/8 ply and drill for the fuel feed outlets and throttle pushrod. If an engine mount is to be used, drill the ply for the mounting bolts; otherwise, cut out the holes for the spruce engine bearers and epoxy these in place.

Epoxy the bulkhead and 3/16 square balsa spacers to the fuselage sides, en-suring that all is square. When dry, epoxy the balsa tail block to the bottom of the fuselage.

Bend the centersection struts from 3/32 diameter wire; then sew and epoxy to the 3/16 sheet panels as shown. Bind and solder the wing support wire to the struts, and epoxy each panel to the inside of the fuselage. The 4 ounce tank should be installed at this point. Carve and sand the top decking forward of the cockpit and glue in place..."

Hi Steve - Here is Mike Hollison's Morane Saulnier Type L Parasol from RCM magazine issue 04-77..

Direct submission to Outerzone.

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