Salmson-Moineau S.M.1

From Wings of Linen
Salmson-Moineau S.M.1
Role Reconnaissance/Bomber
Manufacturer Salmson
Designer René Moineau[1]
Introduction mid 1916 [2] or Dec 1917[3]
Primary users France
Russia
Number built 10[3] or 100-155 [2] or 200[1]
Wingspan 17.5 m (57 ft 4 in) [4]
Engine 240hp Salmson 9A2c radial
Armament front flexible 37mm APX cannon and
rear flexible 37mm APX cannon[2]
or 1-2× front flexible Lewis
plus 1-2× rear flexible Lewis[3]
Crew 3
Max Speed 130 km/h (81 mph)[4]
Climb 2,000 m (6,500 ft) in 18:15[4]
3,000 m (9,800 ft) in 39:00[4]
Endurance 3:00 [5]

One of the most unusual designs for an aeroplane saw realization in the Salmson-Moineau S.M.1 (aka the "Moineau Type A9 2H"[1]). René Moineau was a pre-war aviator who wanted to use the powerful 240hp Salmson 9A2c radial engine to meet a three-seater requirement, but the engine was bulky and would have had a lot of drag if mounted conventionally. Instead, Moineau mounted the engine "sideways" and added driveshafts and gearing to drive two front-mounted propellers rotating in opposite directions. The pilot sat high between the wings where there was limited visibility, which led to several SM.1's being lost to landing crashes.

S.M.1's were parceled out in ones and twos to various units flying Farmans, Caudrons, and A.R.'s. In practice the plane was found to be hard to land, slow, and prone to engine problems, and they did not serve very long. Two were sent to Russia where they met a similar fate.[2]

Lamberton says they were withdrawn in April 1918.[3]

For more information, see Wikipedia:Salmson-Moineau S.M.1.

Timeline [note 1]

Game Data

Wings of Glory

Official Stats
Availability Maneuver Damage Dmg Points Max Alt. Climb
17Q1-18Q2 XD (S) 14 9 7
Card Links

Miniatures and Models

1:144 Scale

References

Notes
  1. Plane counts are approximate and based of escadrille usage in Davilla'97.
Citations
  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Ferry'14, p.151.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Owers, p.2.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Lamberton, p.107.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Lamberton, p.218-220.
  5. Davilla, p.435.
Bibliography
  • Dr. James J. Davilla and Arthur M. Soltan. French Aircraft of the First World War. Flying Machines Press, 1997. ISBN 0-9637110-4-0.
  • Vital Ferry. French Aviation During the First World War. Paris: Histoire and Collections, 2014. ISBN 978-2-35250-370-5
  • W.M. Lamberton and E.F. Cheesman, Reconnaissance & Bomber Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War. Great Britain: Harleyford Publications Ltd., 1962. ISBN 9780900435027
  • Colin A. Owers, Jon S. Guttman, James J. Davilla, Salmson Aircraft of World War I. USA: Flying Machine Press, 2001. ISBN 1-891268-16-3