Morane-Saulnier MS-700 Pétrel

(Redirected from Morane-Saulnier MS-703)

The Morane-Saulnier MS-700 Pétrel (English: Petrel) was a French four-seat cabin-monoplane designed and built by Morane-Saulnier, only three prototypes were built.[1]

MS-700 Pétrel
Role Twin-engined liaison transport
National origin France
Manufacturer Morane-Saulnier
First flight 8 January 1949
Number built 3

Design and development

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The MS-700 was a twin-engined, low-wing, cabin-monoplane with a retractable tricycle landing gear and powered by two 160 hp (119 kW) Potez 4D-33 four-cylinder, inverted inline piston engines.[1] The prototype, with French test registration F-WFDC, first flew on 8 January 1949.[1] The aircraft was intended as a light liaison aircraft and the second prototype made a demonstration tour of Africa at the end of 1950.[1] The second prototype was re-engined with two Mathis G8-20 engines and re-designated MS-701.[1] On 3 January 1951 a third prototype first flew, it was a MS-703 with a longer fuselage for six-seats and two 179 kW (240 hp) Salmson 8.AS.OO engines.[1] After being used by the company for a number of years the first prototype was due to be modified in the late 1950s to the same standards as the MS-703 but with 220 hp (164 kW) Potez engines but it was not converted and instead was withdrawn from use.[1] Only the three prototypes were built and the type did not enter production.[1]

Variants

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MS-700-01
First prototype of the Four-seat MS-700 variant, powered by two 119 kW (160 hp) Potez 4D-33 engines. First flown on 8 January 1949 the MS-700-01 (regn. F-WFDC) was withdrawn from use in June 1959.[1]
MS-700-02
Second prototype of the MS-700 series, powered by two 160 kW (220 hp) Potez 4D-31 engines, converted to MS-701 standard (regn. F-BFDE).[1]
MS-701
Second prototype, MS-700-02, re-engined with two 134 kW (180 hp) Mathis G8-20 engines.[1]
MS-702
No details.
MS-703-01
Six-seat variant powered by two 179 kW (240 hp) Salmson 8.AS.00 / Argus As 10 engines, one built. The MS-703-01 was first flown on 3 January 1951.[1]
MS-704
Proposed modification of the first prototype to MS-703 standard with two 164 kW (220 hp) Potez engines, not converted.[1]

Specification (MS-700-01)

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Data from French Postwar Transport Aircraft[1]

General characteristics

  • Capacity: four-seats, payload 255 kg (562 lb)
  • Length: 9.29 m (30 ft 6 in)
  • Wingspan: 14.2 m (46 ft 7 in)
  • Height: 3.4 m (11 ft 2 in)
  • Wing area: 26.5 m2 (285 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 1,645 kg (3,627 lb)
  • Gross weight: 2,220 kg (4,894 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Potez 4D-33 four-cylinder, inverted inline piston engines, 120 kW (160 hp) each
  • Propellers: 2-bladed

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 290 km/h (180 mph, 160 kn) at 1,500 m (4,900 ft)
  • Cruise speed: 260 km/h (160 mph, 140 kn) at 1,000 m (3,300 ft)
  • Range: 1,200 km (750 mi, 650 nmi) with max payload
  • Service ceiling: 6,200 m (20,300 ft)
  • Wing loading: 83.77 kg/m2 (17.16 lb/sq ft)
  • Take-off distance: 430 m (1,410 ft) to clear 20 m (66 ft)

Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Chillon/Dubois/Wegg 1980, p. 150

Bibliography

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  • Chillon, Jacques; Dubois, Jean-Pierre & Wegg, John (1980). French Post-War Transport Aircraft. Tonbridge, UK: Air-Britain. ISBN 0-85130-078-2.

Further reading

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  • Lacaze, Henri & Lherbert, Claude (2013). Morane Saulnier: ses avions, ses projets [Morane Saulnier: Their Aircraft and Projects] (in French). Outreau, France: Lela Presse. ISBN 978-2-914017-70-1.