Adolphe Celestin Pègoud

[Cigogne]

My comments are to thedude:

I never said that he achieved any victories with the Nieuport 10. I am just saying that he is known to have flown one. Your question was vague in specifying when and for what purpose. The Nieuport 10-11 types requipped the MS units from September 1915. What he flew on the dates of his victories is the thing open to question. Rod F said Morane N not L. The N was first flown prewar by Garros in competition in 1914.

Now, about the dates of Morane-Saulnier L types. If they weren't available until 1915 how come the Pfalz concern had a license to build them before the war? That is what the Pfalz A.I-II, etc. types were. The Turks also had them on order directly from Morane Saulnier pre-war but these were diverted to French use. The Turks eventually got theirs, but from Pfalz. So, the L model was produced by Morane BEFORE the date that you infer.

Also, the listing and dates of use, according to Davilla and Soltan, of units equipped with the type are as follows:

MS 23 created on 15 August 1914 with Morane L types at Toul. Flew fighter/pursuit missions according to them from March 1915.

MS 26 created 26 August 1914 with four Morane L type at Amiens.

MS 31 created 24 September 1914 with the type H, and by November 1914 with type L.

MS 37 formed January 1915 with type L.

MS 38 formed 8 January 1915

MS 12 formed February 1915

MS 3 switched from Bleriot aircraft in March 1915 to MS L.

MS 48 created on 29 March 1915. Flew type L.

MS 15 formed March 1915 when it got rid of its REP N parasols.

MS 49 formed in April 1915. Sgt. Gilbert credited with victories on 4 June, 11, and 17 June. Adolphe Pegoud flew with this unit. Pegoud claiming an Aviatik on 11 July.

All of these units flew armed missions with carbine or machine-guns at least for the observer from February 1915. Armed actions where enemy aircraft were driven off occurred from 27 March, multiple occasions in April 1915 and throughout Summer of 1915. They seemed to be an agressive bunch. Doesn't mean deflector plates were used, but they used the aircraft agressively with whatever armament was available, carbines, observer Lewis gun. etc. The French were aggressive before Messr. Garros showed up on the scene with the deflector wedges.

Cig