Morane-Saulnier Type AI, Special Hobby 1/48 plus a lot of wood!

[Bughunter]

Morane-Saulnier AI  
 

 

The following pictures show a Morane-Saulnier Type AI with serial number MS1591 of Escadrille MSP 156, flown in 1918 by Sgt. Walter J Shaffer. It is the MoS 29.C1 variant with two Vickers MG.
This type AI is relatively unknown today, although some 1100...1300 machines were built, most as unarmed trainers MoS 30.C1.

 

After development of the Morane-Saulnier Type P was abandoned, the AI and AF prototypes were built in 1917, both single-seat fighters with a Gnome monosoupape 9N 160hp. Both had similar fuselages, but the AF was a biplane. The official tests of the AI from the beginning of August 1917 were enthusiastic with excellent performance, outstanding manoeuvrability and great visibility. From the beginning of 1918, the production aircraft entered service.
This design as a high-wing aircraft was thus well ahead of the Fokker D.VIII/E.V (developed from April 1918), I wonder if this was influenced by the AI?
You can read more about this aircraft type here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morane-Saulnier_AI

 

This type of aircraft had been on my wish list for a long time, after I had bought the kit from Special Hobby in 1/48th scale quite soon after its release. However, the required rotary engine was not available in the aftermarket, which only changed with the new Camel from Eduard. This Gnome N is a 3D print from Eduard, also the etched and printed instruments as well as the seat belts of the STEEL series are from this company. Besides the etched parts from the kit, parts from various etched parts sets from the Polish company PART were used. The turnbuckles are again from Greece by GasPatch Models. The decals are from the kit and from HGW, as far as possible masks from the cutting plotter were used.

 

However, a large part of the model was handmade from wood, here struts, cockpit and propeller are to be mentioned, as well as metal (landing gear and cockpit). On the one hand, this was a lot of work, but on the other hand, it makes the special impression of the model - once again, this has become a special piece of aviation history for my display case.

 

If you like to see some comparison, please check out this walk around before: http://data3.primeportal.net/hangar/domeric_barbot/ms_type_a1/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No, those were not new reference images

The next post will show some details.

 

Cheers,

Frank

Edited October 28, 2022 by Bughunter

[Bughunter]

Here are some of the details.

 

Full scratched cockpit made from wood and metal (mostly brass).

 

Soldered struts

My cockpit on a reference picture in Windsock International Vol8/3.

The soldered seat made from different PE parts.

Nearly finished cockpit:

With light in back you see the linen below the wing painted with Alclad:

 

Against light:

Wooden air screw

Finished air screw, together with the kit ones. Both rotate in wrong direction.

Eduard Gnome N rotary

Engine with bearing.

Painted:

 

[Bughunter]

Cowling:

 

 

New intakes made from brass

Scratched strut mounts.

 

Fuselage:

Vickers MG sodlered from a PART PE set.

Metal on tail:

 

Targeting optics (yes, light goes through!)

Tail skid:

Soldered undercarriage:

 

 

Worked on the struts slowly from inside to outside.

All struts are made from real wood and metal!

And now hit the keys!

 

Cheers,
Frank

Edited October 28, 2022 by Bughunter

[Maginot]

Nice work. Good looking engine. Colourful crate!

[Celestialsphere]

Frank. Awesome build. The attention to detail is amazing.

 

Your photos of the finished model in natural light are very nice.

 

Thanks for sharing.

 

Cheers

Andrew

[Spitfire31]

It's a work of art, and, apparently, a love for the subject.

 

Impressive modelling from all aspects.

 

Kind regards,

 

Joachim

[Andrés S.]

Absolutely impressive work, even more so in such a tiny size.
I am perplexed.

 

Congratulations !!!!

 

Andrés.

[woody37]

Incredible. Even the rigging wires are a work of art!

[Roberto]

Wow. Stunning work!

[RichieW]

Hiya Frank, It's a real joy to see your work again. Your super detailing in 1/48 scale seems to have reached new heights.

 

The photos of the finished model are completely convincing. It looks like the real thing, I love it!

 

Best wishes from England

Richie

[Omak]

awesome work and result !

[Toryu]

Excellent throughout! The detail is as impressive as the crafting of it. I particularly like the complicated strut work.

[theskits62]

Fabulous work those struts must have been a nightmare !

[Jon_B]

Just awesome! Really I'm lost in admiration. I love aircraft of this period and this is a very interesting model of a relatively unknown type.

[Bughunter]

Thank you very much fro leaving such nice comments!

 

On 10/29/2022 at 4:07 PM, RichieW said:

It's a real joy to see your work again.

Yes Richie, still try to learn and get better with every model.

 

Cheers,

Frank

 

[Bughunter]

This model was added to the Blog of Special Hobby. Thank you very much!

[RichieW]

1 hour ago, Bughunter said:

This model was added to the Blog of Special Hobby. Thank you very much!

Well done Frank, it looks very much like a competition winner to me. 👏👏👏

[pheonix]

Absolutely first class in every way Frank. In short it is a stunning winner!

 

P

[Dric]

Gasp ! Splendid work 👍

[MACALAIN]

On 28/10/2022 at 23:23, Bughunter said:

Morane-Saulnier AI  
 

 

The following pictures show a Morane-Saulnier Type AI with serial number MS1591 of Escadrille MSP 156, flown in 1918 by Sgt. Walter J Shaffer. It is the MoS 29.C1 variant with two Vickers MG.
This type AI is relatively unknown today, although some 1100...1300 machines were built, most as unarmed trainers MoS 30.C1.

 

After development of the Morane-Saulnier Type P was abandoned, the AI and AF prototypes were built in 1917, both single-seat fighters with a Gnome monosoupape 9N 160hp. Both had similar fuselages, but the AF was a biplane. The official tests of the AI from the beginning of August 1917 were enthusiastic with excellent performance, outstanding manoeuvrability and great visibility. From the beginning of 1918, the production aircraft entered service.
This design as a high-wing aircraft was thus well ahead of the Fokker D.VIII/E.V (developed from April 1918), I wonder if this was influenced by the AI?
You can read more about this aircraft type here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morane-Saulnier_AI

 

This type of aircraft had been on my wish list for a long time, after I had bought the kit from Special Hobby in 1/48th scale quite soon after its release. However, the required rotary engine was not available in the aftermarket, which only changed with the new Camel from Eduard. This Gnome N is a 3D print from Eduard, also the etched and printed instruments as well as the seat belts of the STEEL series are from this company. Besides the etched parts from the kit, parts from various etched parts sets from the Polish company PART were used. The turnbuckles are again from Greece by GasPatch Models. The decals are from the kit and from HGW, as far as possible masks from the cutting plotter were used.

 

However, a large part of the model was handmade from wood, here struts, cockpit and propeller are to be mentioned, as well as metal (landing gear and cockpit). On the one hand, this was a lot of work, but on the other hand, it makes the special impression of the model - once again, this has become a special piece of aviation history for my display case.

 

If you like to see some comparison, please check out this walk around before: http://data3.primeportal.net/hangar/domeric_barbot/ms_type_a1/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No, those were not new reference images

The next post will show some details.

 

Cheers,

Frank

Well done.

 

Alain

[Epeeman]

Wow - amazing work and details - brilliant

 

Regards

 

Dave

[Bughunter]

Thank you very much for you nice feedback and all the likes!

@Dric

Nice to see you again, hope you are fine!

 

Cheers,

Frank