France's Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 fighter1,2
Morane-Saulnier M.S.406:
Morane-Saulnier M.S.406:
Design
In 1937 the Morane-Saulnier M.S. 406 was ordered into production.2
Wings
The wing mounted 7.7 mm MGs were placed outside the propeller disc.1
Tail Wheel
Early models had a tailskid.1 This was replaced in later models with a retractable tailwheel.1
Fuselage
The rear fuselage was mostly covered in fabric.1
Prototype
The prototype of the Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 was first flown on May 20, 19382 / January 24, 1939.1,2
Production
By April 1938 there were orders for 955 M.S. 406 to be built by September 1939.2
There was to be 1,000 M.S. 406s constructed but only 572 were completed.1,2 These were built in three factories.1
Variants
- M.S. 406:
Usage
Invasion of France
37 M.S.406s were lost on the first day of the invasion of France at Cambrai, Damblain, Vitry, and Le Quesnoy.1,2
M.S.406 pilots claimed to have shot down 175 enemy aircraft, but they lost over 400 of their own.1
There were 14 groupes de chasse equipped with the M.S. 406.2
Finland
Finland replaced the Hispano-Suiza engine in the M.S. 406s that they received with a Morko Moraani and the performance of the fighter was much improved.1
Switzerland
289 EFW D-3800 fighters were produced by the Swiss based on the M.S. 406.1
Vichy France
One unit used the M.S. 406s with the Vichy France air force.1
Croatia
Croatia received some of the surrendered M.S.406s.1
| Morane-Saulnier M.S.4061,2 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Fighter1,2 |
| Crew | 11,2 |
| Engine (Type) | Hispano-Suiza 12Y-31 piston1 Hispano-Suiza HS 12Y 31 piston2 |
| Cylinders | Inline2 V-121 |
| Cooling | |
| Net HP | 8601,2 |
| Propeller blades | 31 |
| Dimensions | |
| Span | 23' 9"1, 34' 9.5"2 10.6 m1, 10.62 m2 |
| Length | 26' 9"1, 26' 9.5"2 8.15 m1, 8.17 m2 |
| Height | 9' 3"1, 10' 8.5"2 2.8 m1, 3.25 m2 |
| Wing area | 172 ft2 1, 172.2 ft2 2 16 m2 1,2 |
| Weight | |
| Empty | 4,178 lb2, 4,180 lb1 1,895 kg2, 1,900 kg1 |
| Loaded | 5,434 lb1, 5,600 lb2 2,470 kg1, 2,540 kg2 |
| Performance | |
| Speed @ 14,765' / 4,500 m |
304 mph2 490 kph2 |
| Speed @ 16,500' / 5,000 m |
300 mph1 485 kph1 |
| Climb to 19,685' / 6,000 m |
9 minutes2 |
| Service ceiling | 31,000'1, 32,810'2 9,400 m1, 10,000 m2 |
| Range | 680 miles1, 684 miles2 1,100 km1,2 |
| Armament | |
| Thru propeller | 20 mm Hispano1 20 mm HS 4042 |
| Wings | 2: 7.5 mm MG1 2: 7.5 mm MAC 1934 MG2 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of World War II, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
- Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
