Morane-Saulnier H, part one

 

The Morane-Saulnier Type H was a single-seat development of the previous Type G. It had a shorter fuselage and wingspan and was powered by a Le Rhône engine rated at 80 hp. It flew for the first time in 1913 and shortly later around 26 machines were ordered by the Aéronautique Militaire (French Army's Aeronautical Corps) which gave the denomination of MoS.1. 

A version powered by a de-rated 45 hp Anzani engine was also converted from previous machines, which were used as trainers. 

There are reports about some other versions powered by 50-hp or 60-hp Gnome engines with an enlarged wing which were designated as "Army Type 12", which were used as trainers.

It was employed by various users:

• Belgium: At least one Type H was used by the Belgian Aviation Militaire (Military Aviation) during World War I in 1915. 
• United Kingdom: The Royal Flying Corps (RFC) acquired many Type Hs as part of an order placed in 1915 for 12 Type G and Hs. These airplanes arrived in April 1915 and were assigned to Nos. 1, 2, 4, 10 and 11 Reserve Aeroplane Squadrons. They were used as trainers. A second order for 24 additional machines was placed with Grahame-White Aviation Company, in Hampshire, as this company produced the type under license in 1915. They received serial numbers 5693 to 5716 and most of them served with training units, but others served with Nos.7, 15 and 60 Squadrons of the RFC.
• France: Most of the Type Hs served with the Escadrille (Squadron) MS.31 which was formed shortly after the beginning of the war, on 24 September 1914. According to French documentation, at the time of its formation, this Escadrille had three single-seat Morane-Saulniers with 60-hp engines, plus two additional ones in reserve. The unit was intended to be used as an "Escadrille Artillerie" (Artillery Squadron) and was formed at Dijon-Longvic airfield, in the Côte-d'Or department, under command of Capitaine (Captain) Yence who had four pilots at his command. 
  Two days later the Escadrille was moved to Toul, in Meurthe-et-Moselle department, closer to the frontlines, where it was assigned to 1ere Armée (1st Army). It's not known if they Type Hs were used in combat, but by 6th November 1914 they were already been replaced by the Type L and the Type Hs had been sent to training units. 
  Two Type Hs were sent to C.R.P. (Camp Retranché de Paris - Paris Entrenched Camp- a series of fortifications built around the French Capital with garrison units assigned there) and armed with carbines. At least one of those had a special mount for the gun and may had also deflector plates on the propeller to allow bullets be fired through the propeller's arc. It may also had been modified with a modified cowling, spinner and undercarriage. 
  Some Anzani-powered machines were also used by some flying schools of the Aeronautique Militaire.

Sources:

1. Flying Machines Press - French Aircraft of the First World War

2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morane-Saulnier_H

3. https://www.belgian-wings.be/aircraft-1909-1918

Avro 504

The Avro 504 was a two-seater biplane that first flown on 18th September 1913 and was powered by an 80hp Gnome Lambda rotary engine.
It was basically a development of the previous Avro 500 model. It was designed for training and private flying purposes made entirely out of wood with two bays and a square fuselage.

Some small numbers were bought by both the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) before the start of the World War I and, when it started, they were taken to France. It was the first type of British airplane shot down by the Germans on 22nd August 1914 and also the first type of British airplane to perform an air raid when four 504s from a special unit of the RNAS bombed the Zeppelin works at Friedrichshafen, close to the German-Swiss border.
The airplanes departed from the French city of Belfort on 21st November 1914 each of them carrying four 20lbs (9kg) bombs. One aircraft was shot down but the raid was nonetheless a success as several direct hits destroyed the hydrogen generating plants.

It was also the first airplane of the World War I to perform an strafing attack, when on 22nd October 1914, an airplane manned by Strange and Penn-Gaskell fired their crudely fitted Lewis Mk.I machine gun (which in fact was fitted with the tail-boom of a wrecked Farman biplane and a rope) at a train and enemy troops in the French town of Pérenchies.

Sources:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avro_504
2. Salamander Books - The Complete Book of Fighters