Morane-Saulnier MS-700 Pétrel

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to the same standards as the MS-703 but with 220 hp (164 kW) Potez engines but it was not converted and instead was withdrawn from use.[1] Only the three prototypes were built and the type did not enter production.[1]

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 F-WFDC) was withdrawn from use in June 1959.[1]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]

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)

• Chillon, Jacques. Dubois, Jean-Pierre and Wegg, John. French Postwar Transport Aircraft, Air-Britain, 1980, ISBN 0-8513-0078-2.

• 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.