The ANF les Mureaux series of light observation aircraft first appeared during the inter-war years between World War 1 and World War 2, specifically in the late 1920's and developed further into the 1930's. The Mureaux served as an important air arm to French military forces as a rugged "eye-in-the-sky" platform, performing forward reconnaissance operations from the roughest of airfields in the most unforgiving of conditions. At the start of World War 2, the system was wholly outclassed compared to German offerings though some 100 were still in operational service - performing valiantly, albeit hopelessly, in the defense of France.
The design of the Mureaux was of a utilitarian form featuring a simple fixed undercarriage, a high-mounted monoplane wing assembly supported by struts and seating for two persons - the pilot and his observer. With a mix of armament options available, the Mureaux served in both the reconnaissance, night-fighting and light bombing role where her design could showcase up to 600 miles of flight distance at altitudes upwards of 30,000 feet in the role. At the height of its usage, the Mureaux series formed a large part of French military operations leading up to World War 2.
By the time of the German invasion of France in 1940, the Mureaux series was already on its way out. The system was eventually replaced by the more capable Potez 63.11 series aircraft in the same role. The definitive variants in the Mureaux series became the Mureaux 115 and the Mureaux 117 designs while some were interestingly converted to "rough-shot" night-fighting platforms during the height of the German attack - such was the desperation on the part of French defense forces.
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AIR-TO-AIR COMBAT
General ability to actively engage other aircraft of similar form and function, typically through guns, missiles, and/or aerial rockets.
GROUND ATTACK
Ability to conduct aerial bombing of ground targets by way of (but not limited to) guns, bombs, missiles, rockets, and the like.
INTELLIGENCE-SURVEILLANCE-RECONNAISSANCE
Surveil ground targets / target areas to assess environmental threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.
33.4 ft (10.18 meters) Length
50.5 ft (15.40 meters) Width/Span
11.3 ft (3.44 meters) Height
8,541 lb (3,874 kilograms) Empty Weight
7,606 lb (3,450 kilograms) Maximum Take-Off Weight
STANDARD:
1 x 20mm Hispano-Suiza HS.9 cannon synchronized to fire through the propeller.
2 x 7.5mm MAC 34 machine guns in fixed, forward-firing mounts.
2 x 7.5mm MAC 34 machine guns on trainable mount in rear cockpit.
OPTIONAL:
Up to 440lbs of external ordnance.
2 Hardpoints
R.2 - Original Designation; reconnaissance design.
Mureaux 110 - Evaluation version; fitting 1 x Hispano-Suiza 12Nb engine; two examples constructed.
Mureaux 110A-2 - Evaluation version; fitting 1 x Hispano-Suiza 12Nb engine; single example constructed.
Mureaux 111 - Evaluation version; fitted with Hispano-Suiza 12Nb engine; single example produced.
Mureaux 112 R2 - 110-series evaluation models fitted with 1 x Hispano-Suiza 12Ybrs engine.
Mureaux 112 GR - Specialized competition aeroplane; single example.
Mureaux 113 R2 - Initial Mass Production Model; appearing in 1933; 49 examples produced.
Mureaux 113 CN - Night-fighter production model; conversions from existing 113 models.
Mureaux 113 GR - Specialized competition aeroplane; fitted with 1 x supercharged Hispnao-Suiza 12Ybrs series engine; single example produced.
Mureaux 114 CN - Prototype night-fighter; single example.
Mureaux 115 R2B2 - Appearing in 1935; provision for light bombs; fitted with 1 x Hispano-Suiza 12Ycrs engine; 119 examples produced.
Mureaux 115 R2 - Fitted with 1 x Hispano-Suiza 12Yers engine of 850 horsepower.
Mureaux 117 R2B2 - Appearing in late 1935; provision for light bombs; revised airframe; fitted with 1 x Hispano-Suiza 12Ybrs engine; 115 examples produced.
Mureaux 119 - One-off example for altitude record fitted with 1 x Hispano-Suiza 12Ybrs engine.
Mureaux 200A.3 - Prototype reconnaissance model; fitted with 1 x Hispano-Suiza 12Ycrs engine.
Images
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Front right side view of the ANF les Mureaux 113 biplane fighter
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