Morane-Saulnier Vanneau
Morane-Saulnier · France · first flew 1944 · light aircraft
The Morane-Saulnier Vanneau was a French light high-performance monoplane developed during the latter stages of World War II, intended as a liaison and light combat aircraft.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.05 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Clean low-wing monoplane of 1940s French design
- Single inline engine with long nose cowling
- Enclosed side-by-side or tandem cockpit
Identified by its clean, streamlined low-wing fuselage typical of late-war French design, with a long inline engine cowling and retractable undercarriage.
Specifications
- The Morane-Saulnier Vanneau has a length of 9.05 m (30 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.65 m (35 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 445 km/h (277 mph).
- Typical crew: 1-2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed in wartime France, the Vanneau (Lapwing) represented Morane-Saulnier's effort to produce a modern low-wing design capable of liaison and potential combat roles. Its 445 km/h top speed was competitive for a light aircraft of the era.
Variants
Limited documentation exists on production variants; the type appears to have remained in small numbers.
Where you'll see it
The Vanneau saw limited postwar French use as a high-performance liaison type.
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