The Circa Reproductions Morane Saulnier N, also called the Bullet, is a Canadian amateur-built aircraft that was designed by Graham Lee and produced by Circa Reproductions, of Surrey, British Columbia. The aircraft is supplied as plans for amateur construction.^[1][2][3]

The aircraft is a 90% scale replica of the First World War French Morane-Saulnier N fighter.^[1]

Design and development

The aircraft features a cable-braced mid-wing, a single-seat open cockpit, fixed conventional landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.^[1][3]

The aircraft is made from bolted-together aluminum tubing, with 1⁄8 in (3.2 mm) plywood fuselage formers and stringers, with its flying surfaces covered in doped aircraft fabric. Its 23.9 ft (7.3 m) span wing has an area of 117.5 sq ft (10.92 m²). Standard engines recommended are the 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503 and the 53 hp (40 kW) Hirth 2704 two-stroke. The 60 hp (45 kW) Volkswagen air-cooled engine four-stroke powerplant can be used, but the requirement for a smaller diameter propeller reduces performance.^[1][2][3]

Specifications (Morane Saulnier N)

Data from Bayerl and Circa Reproductions^[1][2]

General characteristics

• Crew: one
• Length: 19 ft 3 in (5.87 m)
• Wingspan: 23 ft 10 in (7.26 m)
• Height: 6 ft (1.8 m) approximately
• Wing area: 117.5 sq ft (10.92 m²)
• Empty weight: 275 lb (125 kg)
• Gross weight: 600 lb (272 kg)
• Fuel capacity: 12 U.S. gallons (45 L; 10.0 imp gal)
• Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 503 twin cylinder, air-cooled, two stroke aircraft engine, 50 hp (37 kW)
• Propellers: 2-bladed wooden

Performance

• Maximum speed: 99 mph (160 km/h, 86 kn)
• Cruise speed: 71 mph (115 km/h, 62 kn)
• Stall speed: 30 mph (48 km/h, 26 kn)
• Never exceed speed: 115 mph (185 km/h, 100 kn)
• g limits: +5.7/-2.8
• Rate of climb: 640 ft/min (3.25 m/s)