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A "parasol" monoplane, the Morane Saulnier Type L was a fragile two-seat reconnaissance aircraft. It was the first aircraft armed with a fixed machine gun that fired through the propellor arc. Bullets which struck the propellor were deflected by steel plates. Armed with a Hotchkiss machine gun firing 8 mm solid copper bullets, Roland Garros tested the design in April 1915. He scored three victories in three weeks before the plane was captured by the Germans.
On 7 June 1915, flying a Morane Saulnier Type L (3253), Sub-Lieutenant R A J Warneford attacked and destroyed a German Zeppelin (LZ37) over Ghent, Belgium. For this action Warneford received the Victoria Cross.
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| Units |
| French Air Service: |
MS12 |
| Imperial Russian Air Service: |
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| Royal Flying Corps: |
1, 3 |
| Royal Naval Air Service: |
1W, 2W |
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| Morane-Saulnier L Specifications |
| Country: |
France |
| Manufacturer: |
Société des Aéroplanes Morane-Saulnier |
| Type: |
Fighter Reconnaissance |
| First Introduced: |
1913 |
| Number Built: |
600 |
| Engine(s): |
Gnôme, rotary, 80 hp |
| Wing Span: |
36 ft 9 in (11.2 m) |
| Length: |
22 ft 6¾ in (6.88 m) |
| Height: |
12 ft 10½ in (3.93 m) |
| Empty Weight: |
847 lb (385 kg) |
| Gross Weight: |
1,441 lb (655 kg) |
| Max Speed: |
71.5 mph (115 km/h) |
| Ceiling: |
13,123 ft (4000 m) |
| Endurance: |
2½ hours |
| Crew: |
1 or 2 |
| Armament: |
1 machine gun |
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