
The ANF Les Mureaux 110 and its derivatives were a family of all-metal military reconnaissance aircraft developed and produced by the French aircraft manufacturer
ANF Les Mureaux
__NOTOC__
ANF Les Mureaux (full name: Les Ateliers de Construction du Nord de la France et des Mureaux) was a French aircraft manufacturer founded in Les Mureaux in 1918 as Les Ateliers des Mureaux building aircraft under license. Significant prod ...
.
It was designed in response to a requirement issued by the French air ministry. Introduced to service during the 1930s, in excess of two hundred aircraft were procured for the
French Air Force
The French Air and Space Force (, , ) is the air force, air and space force of the French Armed Forces. Formed in 1909 as the ("Aeronautical Service"), a service arm of the French Army, it became an independent military branch in 1934 as the Fr ...
to equipment not just its frontline units but also to displace aircraft such as the
Potez 25
Potez 25 (also written as Potez XXV) was a French twin-seat, single-engine sesquiplane designed during the 1920s. A light multi-purpose Strike fighter, fighter-bomber, it was designed as a line aircraft and used in a variety of roles, including F ...
s from reserve units as well. Multiple variants were operated by the service, perhaps most noteworthy was the conversion of 40 aircraft to serve as dedicated
night fighter
A night fighter (later known as all-weather fighter or all-weather interceptor post-Second World War) is a largely historical term for a fighter aircraft, fighter or interceptor aircraft adapted or designed for effective use at night, during pe ...
s. The family was in widespread usage at the start of the
Second World War
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, and thus saw intense combat during the
Battle of France
The Battle of France (; 10 May – 25 June 1940), also known as the Western Campaign (), the French Campaign (, ) and the Fall of France, during the Second World War was the Nazi Germany, German invasion of the Low Countries (Belgium, Luxembour ...
. However, all remaining aircraft were all scrapped in the aftermath of the
armistice with Germany {{Short description, none
This is a list of armistices signed by the German Empire (1871–1918) or Nazi Germany (1933–1945). An armistice is a temporary agreement to cease hostilities. The period of an armistice may be used to negotiate a peace t ...
.
Development
The ANF Les Mureaux 110 originated with a French air ministry requirement for an aircraft to replace the
Breguet 19
Breguet may refer to:
* Breguet (watch), watch manufacturer
**Abraham-Louis Breguet (1747–1823), Swiss watchmaker
** Louis-François-Clement Breguet (1804–1883), French physicist, watchmaker, electrical and telegraph work
* Breguet Aviation, ...
in
Armée de l'Air
The French Air and Space Force (, , ) is the air force, air and space force of the French Armed Forces. Formed in 1909 as the ("Aeronautical Service"), a service arm of the French Army, it became an independent military branch in 1934 as the Fr ...
service in the "R2" two-seat reconnaissance role. ANF Les Mureaux opted to produce a clean-sheet response to this requirement. It was during this design work that the firm developed a new technique for metal construction, it was promptly incorporated into the new long distance observation aircraft, which was later designated 111.
[NACA 1931, p. 1.]
Two slightly different variants, the 110 and 111 were presented to the air force for evaluation, and were ordered into production soon thereafter. The first mass-production version was the 113 in 1933, of which 49 examples were purchased. This was supplanted in production by the 115 in 1935 and the 117 later than year. Both these series were given light bombing capability as well.
Design
The ANF Les Mureaux 111 was an all-metal,
parasol-wing
A monoplane is a fixed-wing aircraft configuration with a single mainplane, in contrast to a biplane or other types of multiplanes, which have multiple wings.
A monoplane has inherently the highest efficiency and lowest drag of any wing config ...
monoplane
A monoplane is a fixed-wing aircraft configuration with a single mainplane, in contrast to a biplane or other types of multiplanes, which have multiple wings.
A monoplane has inherently the highest efficiency and lowest drag of any wing con ...
designed specifically for aerial reconnaissance. Both the pilot and observer were seated in
tandem
Tandem, or in tandem, is an arrangement in which two or more animals, machines, or people are lined up one behind another, all facing in the same direction. ''Tandem'' can also be used more generally to refer to any group of persons or objects w ...
open cockpits; these cockpits were relatively spacious, permitting multiple styles of
parachute
A parachute is a device designed to slow an object's descent through an atmosphere by creating Drag (physics), drag or aerodynamic Lift (force), lift. It is primarily used to safely support people exiting aircraft at height, but also serves va ...
to be carried by the pilot. While the pilot was provided with an adjustable seat, the observer's seat was entirely removable.
[NACA 1931, p. 5.] To optimise for both crew visibility and aerodynamic characteristics, the selected cross section for the aircraft's fuselage was
trapezoid
In geometry, a trapezoid () in North American English, or trapezium () in British English, is a quadrilateral that has at least one pair of parallel sides.
The parallel sides are called the ''bases'' of the trapezoid. The other two sides are ...
al, having a shorter base down and flat sides while both the top and bottom were rounded.
Being largely composed of metal, the fuselage covering comprised strips of
duralumin
Duralumin (also called duraluminum, duraluminium, duralum, dural(l)ium, or dural) is a trade name for one of the earliest types of age hardening, age-hardenable aluminium–copper alloys. The term is a combination of ''Düren'' and ''aluminium'' ...
that had a typical width of 20 to 30 cm (7.87 to ll.81 inches); these could be given flanged edges as to permit their riveting together to form sheets.
Occasionally, an alternative joining arrangement that used narrow angle pieces was harnessed instead. The structure of the aircraft consisted both
spars and
longeron
In engineering, a longeron or stringer is a load-bearing component of a framework.
The term is commonly used in connection with aircraft fuselages and automobile chassis. Longerons are used in conjunction with stringers to form structural fram ...
s as the principal members, which were supported by an array of secondary spars and a channel section frame that were typically placed generally placed perpendicular to the covering strips to which they were
rivet
A rivet is a permanent mechanical fastener. Before being installed, a rivet consists of a smooth cylinder (geometry), cylindrical shaft with a head on one end. The end opposite the head is called the ''tail''. On installation, the deformed e ...
ed to, changing them to closed sections best adapted to withstand local stresses.
The rigidity of the covering was thus insured by the channel sections in one direction and either the strip
flange
A flange is a protruded ridge, lip or rim (wheel), rim, either external or internal, that serves to increase shear strength, strength (as the flange of a steel beam (structure), beam such as an I-beam or a T-beam); for easy attachment/transfer o ...
s or angle sections in the other. The latter sections were continuous and only flattened to accommodate the passage of the channel sections that ran parallel to the spars.
[NACA 1931, pp. 1-2.] On both the top and bottom of the fuselage, the strips were placed transversely, which facilitated the use of a rounded form with the least preliminary shaping; however, the sides featured covering strips that were parallel to the longerons, where the number of channel sections was reduced.
[NACA 1931, pp. 2, 4.]
The wing was constructed using similar principals to that of the fuselage; it was supported by a pair of tubular struts and the
cabane.
The internal structure featured two duralumin spars complete with a lightened web of sheet metal of 0 to 20 mm (0.4 to 0.8 in.) thick.
[NACA 1931, p. 2.] These spars were of equal thickness to that of the wing with channel sections parallel to them, that were held in position by box crosspieces (instead of conventional
rib
In vertebrate anatomy, ribs () are the long curved bones which form the rib cage, part of the axial skeleton. In most tetrapods, ribs surround the thoracic cavity, enabling the lungs to expand and thus facilitate breathing by expanding the ...
s) at intervals of roughly one meter (39.37 inches). These crosspieces constituted a Warren
girder
A girder () is a Beam (structure), beam used in construction. It is the main horizontal support of a structure which supports smaller beams. Girders often have an I-beam cross section composed of two load-bearing ''flanges'' separated by a sta ...
, made up of channel sections, that supported 13 channel sections that ran parallel to the spars and were joined to the crosspieces using
gusset
In sewing, a gusset is a triangular or rhomboidal piece of textiles, fabric inserted into a seam to add breadth or reduce stress from tight-fitting clothing. Gussets were used at the shoulders, underarms, and hems of traditional shirts and chemi ...
s.
The covering strips were placed at right angles to the spars and were riveted to their flanges and to the channel sections, but not to the box crosspieces, to obtain torsional rigidity. The spars were braced against each other via a series of tubes present the plane of each flange.
[NACA 1931, p. 3.]
The wing's covering comprised strips of sheet metal placed perpendicular to the spars and distributed across three zones, which were joined at the spar flanges.
[NACA 1931, pp. 2-3.] This covering had no other projections than the rivet heads, while the
leading edge
The leading edge is the part of the wing that first contacts the air;Crane, Dale: ''Dictionary of Aeronautical Terms, third edition'', page 305. Aviation Supplies & Academics, 1997. alternatively it is the foremost edge of an airfoil sectio ...
was attached by screws inclined at 45-degrees with their heads covered by compact sliding plates. The wing's interior could be easily inspected by removing the leading edge.
The wing tips were rounded and relatively thin. To diminish fatigue while in a dive, the fineness of the wing was increased from 20.5 to 22.9.
The
aileron
An aileron (French for "little wing" or "fin") is a hinged flight control surface usually forming part of the trailing edge of each wing of a fixed-wing aircraft. Ailerons are used in pairs to control the aircraft in roll (or movement aroun ...
s, which were relatively narrow and unbalanced, were set into the wing and had differential control in order to reduce the force needed to actuate them. The travel of the depressed aileron was less than that of the elevated aileron, which resulted in a gentler manoeuvre and diminishing the likeliness of a
side slip.
[NACA 1931, pp. 3-4.]
The
undercarriage
Undercarriage is the part of a moving vehicle that is underneath the main body of the vehicle. The term originally applied to this part of a horse-drawn carriage, and usage has since broadened to include:
*The landing gear of an aircraft.
*The ch ...
was relatively wide and lacked a continuous axle.
[NACA 1931, p. 4.] It was equipped with a
shock absorber
A shock absorber or damper is a mechanical or hydraulics, hydraulic device designed to absorb and Damping ratio, damp shock (mechanics), shock impulses. It does this by converting the kinetic energy of the shock into another form of energy (typic ...
that had a stroke of 12 cm (4.72 in.) along with brakes. A shoe-type tail skid was fitted to the underside of the fuselage, it was mounted on an
oleo-pneumatic shock absorber.
[NACA 1931, pp. 4-5.] To facilitate the installation of various powerplants, a removal support was present in the engine bay. Cooling for the engine was provided by a water-cooled
radiator
A radiator is a heat exchanger used to transfer thermal energy from one medium to another for the purpose of cooling and heating. The majority of radiators are constructed to function in cars, buildings, and electronics.
A radiator is always a ...
installed within the engine
cowling
A cowling (or cowl) is the removable covering of a vehicle's engine, most often found on automobiles, motorcycles, airplanes, and on outboard boat motors. On airplanes, cowlings are used to reduce drag and to cool the engine. On boats, cowlings ...
, the rate of cooling being adjustable via a shutter.
Both the oil tanks and
fire extinguisher
A fire extinguisher is a handheld active fire protection device usually filled with a dry or wet chemical used to extinguish or control small fires, often in emergencies. It is not intended for use on an out-of-control fire, such as one which ha ...
were deliberately placed on the opposite side of the
firewall
Firewall may refer to:
* Firewall (computing), a technological barrier designed to prevent unauthorized or unwanted communications between computer networks or hosts
* Firewall (construction), a barrier inside a building, designed to limit the spre ...
from the engine; the fuel tank was also in a protected position within the fuselage, using two pumps to convey fuel to the engine. To reduce engine noise, it was equipped with a
silencers.
Operational history
The 113 entered service initially with the Armée de l'Air's reconnaissance ''Groupes'', followed by the observation ''Groupes'', and finally replacing the ageing
Potez 25
Potez 25 (also written as Potez XXV) was a French twin-seat, single-engine sesquiplane designed during the 1920s. A light multi-purpose Strike fighter, fighter-bomber, it was designed as a line aircraft and used in a variety of roles, including F ...
s in the ''Groupes Aériens Régionaux'' reserve units. It was followed into service by the 117 and 115. Between 1934 and 1935, 40 of the original 113s were converted into
night fighter
A night fighter (later known as all-weather fighter or all-weather interceptor post-Second World War) is a largely historical term for a fighter aircraft, fighter or interceptor aircraft adapted or designed for effective use at night, during pe ...
s and used to replace those
Breguet 19
Breguet may refer to:
* Breguet (watch), watch manufacturer
**Abraham-Louis Breguet (1747–1823), Swiss watchmaker
** Louis-François-Clement Breguet (1804–1883), French physicist, watchmaker, electrical and telegraph work
* Breguet Aviation, ...
s that were still in service with France's two night fighter ''Groupes''.
By the outbreak of the
Second World War
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, the 115 equipped nine ''Groupes Aériens d'Observation'', and the 117 nine more. By April 1940, 11 aircraft had been lost in action, leaving 228 on strength at the beginning of the Blitzkrieg in May. By the time of the French
armistice with Germany {{Short description, none
This is a list of armistices signed by the German Empire (1871–1918) or Nazi Germany (1933–1945). An armistice is a temporary agreement to cease hostilities. The period of an armistice may be used to negotiate a peace t ...
on June 25, only 62 aircraft remained intact, some of which were stationed in
North Africa
North Africa (sometimes Northern Africa) is a region encompassing the northern portion of the African continent. There is no singularly accepted scope for the region. However, it is sometimes defined as stretching from the Atlantic shores of t ...
.
Variants
* 110 - two examples built for evaluation, 1x
Hispano-Suiza 12Nb engine.
** 110A-2 - prototype, 1x
Hispano-Suiza 12Nb engine.
* 111 - one example built for evaluation, 1x
Hispano-Suiza 12Nb engine.
* 112 R2 - the 110 prototypes re-engined as pre-production machines, 1x
Hispano-Suiza 12Ybrs
The Hispano-Suiza 12Y was an aircraft engine produced by Hispano-Suiza for the French Air Force before the Second World War. The 12Y became the primary French 1,000 hp (750 kW) class engine and was used in a number of famous aircraft, ...
engine.
** 112 GR - one specially-built aircraft to participate in 1934
Bibescu Cup air race
* 113 R2 - initial production version (Hispano-Suiza 12Ybrs) - 49 built
** 113 CN - 40 113s converted into night fighters
** 113 GR - racing version, equipped with a supercharged Hispano-Suiza 12Ybrs piston engine. Only one was built.
* 114 CN - single prototype of a purpose-built night fighter version
* 115 R2B2 - reconnaissance bomber with upgraded engine (119 built), 1x
Hispano-Suiza 12Ycrs
The Hispano-Suiza 12Y was an aircraft engine produced by Hispano-Suiza for the French Air Force before the Second World War. The 12Y became the primary French 1,000 hp (750 kW) class engine and was used in a number of famous aircraft, ...
engine.
** 115 R2 - this version was powered by a 634-kW (850-hp)
Hispano-Suiza 12Yers piston engine.
* 117 R2B2 - reconnaissance bomber with revised aerodynamics (115 built), 1x
Hispano-Suiza 12Ybrs
The Hispano-Suiza 12Y was an aircraft engine produced by Hispano-Suiza for the French Air Force before the Second World War. The 12Y became the primary French 1,000 hp (750 kW) class engine and was used in a number of famous aircraft, ...
engine.
* 119 - one 113 modified to challenge world altitude record with 500 kg payload, 1x
Hispano-Suiza 12Ybrs
The Hispano-Suiza 12Y was an aircraft engine produced by Hispano-Suiza for the French Air Force before the Second World War. The 12Y became the primary French 1,000 hp (750 kW) class engine and was used in a number of famous aircraft, ...
engine.
* 200A.3 - Prototype observation aircraft, 1x
Hispano-Suiza 12Ycrs
The Hispano-Suiza 12Y was an aircraft engine produced by Hispano-Suiza for the French Air Force before the Second World War. The 12Y became the primary French 1,000 hp (750 kW) class engine and was used in a number of famous aircraft, ...
engine.
Operators
;
*
French Air Force
The French Air and Space Force (, , ) is the air force, air and space force of the French Armed Forces. Formed in 1909 as the ("Aeronautical Service"), a service arm of the French Army, it became an independent military branch in 1934 as the Fr ...
Specifications (115 R2B2)
See also
References
Citations
Bibliography
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"The Mureaux 111 R.2 military airplane (French) : a long-distance all-metal observation monoplane"''
National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics
The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) was a United States federal agency that was founded on March 3, 1915, to undertake, promote, and institutionalize aeronautical research. On October 1, 1958, the agency was dissolved and its ...
'', 1 April 1931. NACA-AC-142, 93R19626.
External links
aviafrance.com
{{ANF Les Mureaux aircraft
113 113 may refer to:
*113 (number), a natural number
*AD 113, a year
*113 BC, a year
*113 (band), a French hip hop group
*113 (MBTA bus), Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority bus route
*113 (New Jersey bus), Ironbound Garage in Newark and run to ...
1930s French military reconnaissance aircraft
Single-engined tractor aircraft
Parasol-wing aircraft
Aircraft first flown in 1931
Aircraft with fixed conventional landing gear
Single-engined piston aircraft