Search the Community

Morane Saulnier MoS.30E.1 1:48 Special Hobby History Morane Saulnier had designed and built two new fighter prototypes in 1917. These were the high wing MoS 27 and biplane MoS 28. The high wing MoS 27 was powered by a 9 cylinder Gnome Monosoupape 9Nb rotary engine and equipped with one machine gun. This allowed the aircraft to reach 8000m. The trials of the new fighter were carried out in the summer of 1917 and proved successful. One month later the MoS 29 equipped with two machine guns was trialled. Eventually both versions were ordered for production. The company gave the type the AI designation. During January 1918 these new fighters were assigned to combat units. The performances of the AI were comparable to the SPAD XIII. Unfortunately, problems occurred with the wing rigidity and the 9Nb engine. It transpired that only three squadrons, (No 156, 158 and 161), were equipped with the A1s. In May 1918 the A1s were withdrawn from front line squadrons thus ending their short service record. On May 20 all units were re-equipped with the SPAD XIIIs. The premature withdrawal of the Morane Saulnier’s didn’t actually mean the end of their careers. They were redesigned and redesignated the MoS30, to be used as a trainer with less powerful Le Rhone 9Jb or 9Jby engines. Eventually more than 1000 AIs were built and used not only by the French air force but also the air forces of Belgium, Switzerland, Poland and Japan. There are currently three AI’s still flying in the world, one each at Fantasy of Flight, Old Rhinebeck and La Ferte Alais. The Model The kit comes in a nice solid top opening box with an oversleave showing the limited edition markings for the completed model. Inside there are just two sprues of medium grey styrene a bag of resin parts, two small etched sheets, two metal rods and two sheets of decals. The details on the styrene parts is very good with areas such as the fabric covered fuselage, wing and tailplanes looking very nice and not overly done. Even though it is obviously a limited run kit there is no sign of flash and no moulding pips. The resin parts are also very well moulded and are replacement parts for the styrene ones. There doesn’t appear to be anything to catch the modeller out other than the lack of location pins, so care will need to be taken when gluing the parts together. Construction starts with the very well detailed cockpit, with floor side framework, rear bulkhead and shoulder frame provided in styrene, whilst items such as the seat and instrument panels come in both styrene and etch, (with acetate backing sheet. The seat is provided with a nice set of etched seatbelts and the cockpit is finished off with the rudder pedals and joystick. The completed cockpit assembly is then sandwiched between the fuselage halves. PE strapping is then fitted around the fuselage and an additional PE part fitted just behind the cockpit opening. Once again the modeller has a choice of whether to use the styrene parts for the engine or the alternatives, in the case produced in resin, with separate cylinders and crankcase. The completed engine is fitted to the resin mounting and attached to the fuselage followed by the cowling and a panel just in front of the cockpit opening. The tail feathers are then attached and the process of attaching the complex array of cabane struts to the underside of the wing, (what looks like the most demanding section of the build, apart from the rigging). With them in place the wing can be attached to the fuselage and the final struts from the fuselage to the wing can be fitted. With the fuselage and wing complete it’s on to the undercarriage. As before there are optional parts in resin and etch to replace the styrene parts should the modeller wish. The wheels come in spokes or covered styles and the etched spokes will look really nice within the resin wheels. The alternative axle is made up of the two metal tubes and an etched aerodynamic fairing, which once assembled is fitted to the undercarriage struts and the wheels attached. Construction is completed with the fitting of the propeller and windscreen with etched frame, followed by some interesting rigging. Decals The decal sheet for this limited edition provides markings for three Polish machines. They are well printed, in good register and with very little in the way of excess carrier film. The markings are for:- MoS.30.E1, Flight School, Bydgoszcz about 1923, in five colour, Chestnut Brown, Beige, Dark Green, Light Green and Black. MoS.30.E1, No.2071, Flight School, Bydgoszcz about 1923, in Dark Green over Light Blue. MoS.30.E1, No.2087, Flight School, Grudziadz 1923, of aerobatic Instructor Boleslaw Orlinski in overall aluminium dope. There is also a sheet with French markings on it which provides the underwing roundels for the five coloured option. Conclusion This is a lovely little kit and will certainly make an impact in a collection that belies its size. The mouldings of bother styrene and resin parts are very well produced and although the resin will need more clean up it will make quite a bit of difference to the completed model. With everything in the box the modeller could possibly need it should bring many hours of fun without any extra outlay. Some parts could be tricky so probably not for the novice modeller but anyone with some experience with building biplanes shouldn’t have a problem. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of