Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA July 24, 2017: A flightworthy replica of the World War I-era Morane-Saulnier Type L “Parasol” aeroplane – an ancestor to Daher’s TBM very fast turboprop aircraft – will be showcased for the first time during this month’s EAA AirVenture Oshkosh fly-in, held July 24-30 at Wittman Regional Airport, Wisconsin.
This historic airplane is the result of a six-year adventure that started in 2011 with the 100th anniversary of Daher’s roots as an aircraft manufacturer. The Type L replica project has been supported from the start by Daher, which provides workspace, tooling and expertise.
“We decided to exhibit the Type L at Oshkosh in 2017 because this year marks the 100th anniversary of the United States’ entry into World War I – which had an enormous influence in the development of aviation,” explained Nicolas Chabbert, the Senior Vice President of Daher’s Airplane Business Unit, and President of SOCATA North America, its U.S subsidiary.
The replica’s construction project is managed by the Association Héritage Avions Morane-Saulnier, whose volunteers – both retired and current workers of Daher and its predecessor companies – have brought their energy and passion to this effort. Some of them are Morane-Saulnier veterans in their mid-80s. This replica retains the Type L’s Parasol’s original wooden structure, along with the wing-warping system and the aircraft’s all-flying rudder and stabilator controls.
To date, over 15,000 man-hours have been invested by the group of volunteers in various tasks ranging from woodworking to computer-assisted design. As the Morane-Saulnier aircraft is being built to fly, modern upgrades have been incorporated, including the substitution of a 110 hp. Rotec radial engine in place of the original Le Rhone rotary 80-hp engine.
“Giving a ‘rebirth’ to the Type L represents the excellence in manufacturing and ingenuity that is reflected today in our TBM 910 and TBM 930 aircraft – which are recognized for their performance and quality,” Chabbert added.
Bringing the Type L Parasol to AirVenture Oshkosh highlights also Daher parent company’s logistics expertise in transporting the unique aeroplane from Daher’s industrial site at Tarbes, France to Oshkosh, Wisconsin in the U.S....To read more, please click this link!
