Salmson Type 2 A2 — Nomenclature des Pièces détachées & Moteur Salmson 9ZM

Société des Moteurs Salmson · Paris · 1918–191x

Collection Overview

This archival collection brings together the primary-source technical publications issued by the Société des Moteurs Salmson for the Avion S.A.L. 2 – A2, the premier French two-seat biplane reconnaissance aircraft of the First World War, and its dedicated powerplant, the Salmson 9ZM 9-cylinder water-cooled radial engine. Documents are presented in both French and Italian language editions, reflecting the aircraft's widespread Allied service.

Document Manifest

• Nomenclature des Pièces détachées de l'Avion S.A.L. 2 – A2 · Société des Moteurs Salmson · Illustrated parts catalogue covering the complete airframe: Cabane, Montants de cellules, Stabilisation Longitudinale, Stabilisation Latérale (Ailerons), Organes de Direction, Atterrissage, Béquille Arrière, Haubannage des Cellules, Haubannage du Train d'Atterrissage, Haubannage du Plan Central, Haubannage du Stabilisateur, Corps de l'Appareil — Fuselage (Menuiserie & Ferrures), Capotage Bois
• Notice d'entretien et Nomenclature — Moteur Salmson 9ZM · 1918 · French language edition
• Manuale Istruzioni e Nomenclatore — Motore Salmson 9ZM · 191x · Italian language edition

Airframe Engineering Profile

The Salmson 2 A2 was designed as an equal-span, two-bay biplane of high structural rigidity, engineered to replace fragile reconnaissance predecessors on the Western Front.

• Fuselage: Conventional wooden construction (frêne/spruce longerons, ash/spruce montants) wrapped in doped fabric. Fuselage frames span plans n°1–11 with full ferrure detailing.
• Wing & Aileron System: Coupled dual-wing aileron surfaces on both upper and lower mainplanes. Full aileron IPC coverage: longerons, nervures caisson, nervures pleines, bords de sortie, charnières, guignols, ferrures de conjugaison.
• Empennage: Empennage horizontal complet entoilé, peint, camouflé et verni — full horizontal stabiliser assembly with ball-bearing roulements, nervures, longerons, and renforts. Gouvernail complet entoilé, peint et verni with full guignol and hauban detailing.
• Undercarriage: V-strut train d'atterrissage with demi-essieux, bobines médianes de sandow, carènes d'essieux aluminium, bagues de butée, roues complètes, chambres à air, sandow amortisseur. Béquille arrière complète with sandow amortisseur and cosses d'attache.
• Haubannage: Comprehensive bracing system — câbles 1 toron, cordes à piano, carènes bois pour haubans de cellules (4/5, 3/5, 3, 2/5 sets), haubannage du plan central and stabilisateur.

Engine Technical Notes — Salmson 9ZM

The Salmson 9ZM was a 9-cylinder water-cooled radial piston engine generating approximately 230 hp (172 kW) — a technically distinctive powerplant that set the Salmson 2 apart from rotary-engined contemporaries. Its stationary crankcase eliminated the gyroscopic precession penalties of rotary engines, delivering predictable handling and superior high-altitude performance.

• Cooling: Frontal radiator matrix with cockpit-controlled mechanical louvers and shutters.
• Propulsion: Fixed-pitch two-bladed laminated wooden propeller keyed directly to the crankshaft.
• Fuel system: Forward-integrated self-sealing rubber fuel tanks.

Performance Data

Variants & Service Notes

• Salmson 2 A2: Standard two-seat reconnaissance variant — the primary subject of this collection.
• Salmson 2 B2: Tactical bomber variant with dual under-wing bomb racks.
• Salmson 2 E2: Dual-control trainer configuration.
• Type Otsu 1: Licensed production by Kawasaki for the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service.

This is an archival, static-copy edition fixed at its original publication date. Intended for historical reference, flight simulation, museum restoration, and educational use only. Not approved for active airworthiness maintenance under FAA 14 CFR § 43.13, EASA Part-M, or equivalent international regulations. Operators of active aircraft must use current, revision-controlled publications from the Type Certificate holder or an authorized distributor.
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