Morane-Saulnier Epervier
# Morane-Saulnier Epervier

The Morane-Saulnier MS.1500 Épervier (en: Sparrowhawk) was a 1950s French two-seat ground attack and reconnaissance aircraft. Designed and built by Morane-Saulnier to meet a French Air Force requirement, it did not enter production.

## Development

Designed to meet a requirement for a tactical reconnaissance and counter-insurgency aircraft for use by the French Air Force in Algeria the Epervier was a tandem two-seat low-wing cantilever monoplane. Powered by a 522 kW (700 hp)) Turbomeca Bastan turboprop the MS.1500 had a fixed tailwheel landing gear. The prototype first flew on the 12 May 1958 powered by a 300 kW (402 hp)) Turbomeca Marcadau turboprop. A second prototype was built but the type did not enter production.

## Specifications (Epervier with Bastan engine)

Data from The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft, Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1958-59, Aviafreance : Morane-Saulnier MS.1500

General characteristics

* Crew: 2
* Length: 10.58 m (34 ft 9 in)
* Wingspan: 13.06 m (42 ft 10 in)
* Height: 3.30 m (10 ft 10 in)
* Wing area: 24.3 $m^2$ (262 sq ft)
* Empty weight: 1,660 kg (3,660 lb)
* Max takeoff weight: 2,850 kg (6,283 lb)
* Powerplant: 1 × Turbomeca Bastan IV turboprop, 560 kW (750 shp)
* Propellers: 3-bladed constant-speed propeller

Performance

* Maximum speed: 315 km/h (196 mph, 170 kn)
* Range: 700 km (430 mi, 380 nmi)
* Ferry range: 1,300 km (810 mi, 700 nmi)
* Rate of climb: 8 m/s (1,600 ft/min) minimum

Armament

* Rockets: 6 × rocket pods
* Bombs: 6 × 50 kg (110 lb) anti-personnel bombs
