Morane-Saulnier MS-315
The Morane-Saulnier MS.315 was France's main primary military trainer through the 1930s, a parasol-wing monoplane developed from the earlier MS.300 and first flown in October 1932, powered by a 135hp Salmson 9Nc radial engine. Beyond the four prototypes, 346 production aircraft followed, including a batch completed after WWII, and it served the Armée de l'Air, the naval Aéronavale, and civilian flying schools alike. In the 1960s, around 40 surplus MS.315s found a second career as glider tugs, re-engined with a more powerful Continental radial and redesignated MS.317, extending the type's working life decades beyond its original trainer role.
Did you know?
A parasol-wing French primary trainer of the 1930s; decades later, surplus MS.315s were re-engined as glider tugs.
Specifications
| Length | 7.6 m (25 ft) |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 12 m (39 ft) |
| Height | 2.8 m (9 ft) |
| Persons on board | 2 |
| Maximum take-off weight | 0.8 t |
| Service ceiling | 18,000 ft (5,486 m) |
| Optimum ceiling | 13,000 ft (3,962 m) |
| Units built | 356 |
Curated by CatchFlights from manufacturer documents, ICAO Doc 8643 and reference works; values are left out where no source could confirm them. Sources are listed on our credits page.
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