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France's Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 fighter1,2
Morane-Saulnier MS 406 fighter3

Morane-Saulnier M.S.406:
France's Morane-Saulnier M.S.406

Morane-Saulnier M.S.406:
France's Morane-Saulnier M.S.406

Design

In 1937 the Morane-Saulnier M.S. 406 was ordered into production.2 The MS 406 was descended from the MS 405.3

Wings

The wing mounted 7.7 mm MGs were placed outside the propeller disc.1

Tail Wheel

Early models had a tailskid.1,3 This was replaced in later models with a retractable tailwheel.1

Fuselage

The rear fuselage was mostly covered in fabric.1 The front fuselage was covered in Plymax, a plywood skinning bonded to the alloy frame.3

Engine

The radiator for the engine was retractable.3

Prototype

The MS 405's prototype first flew on August 8, 1935.3

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
By March 1938 there were orders for 1,000 MS 406s.3

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

Usage

The MS 406 was used by Croatia (44), Finland (87), France, Germany, Italy (52), Switzerland (2), and Turkey (30).3

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.1,3

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
Morane-Saulnier MS 4063
Type Fighter1,2,3
Crew 11,2,3
Engine (Type) Hispano-Suiza 12Y-31 piston1,3
Hispano-Suiza HS 12Y 31 piston2
Cylinders Inline2
V 121,3
Cooling  
Net HP 8601,2,3
Propeller blades 31,3
Dimensions  
Span 23' 9"1, 34' 9.5"2, 34' 9.75"3
10.6 m1, 10.61 m3, 10.62 m2
Length 26' 9"1, 26' 9.25"3, 26' 9.5"2
8.15 m1, 8.16 m3, 8.17 m2
Height 9' 3"1, 9' 3.75"3, 10' 8.5"2
2.8 m1, 2.84 m3, 3.25 m2
Wing area 172 ft2 1, 172.2 ft2 2
16 m2 1,2
Weight  
Empty 4,178 lb2, 4,180 lb1, 4,189 lb3
1,895 kg2, 1,900 kg1,3
Loaded 5,364 lb3, 5,434 lb1, 5,600 lb2
2,433 kg3, 2,470 kg1, 2,540 kg2
Maximum load 6,000 lb3
2,722 kg3
Performance  
Speed @ sea level 248 mph3
399 kph3
Speed @ 14,765' /
4,500 m
304 mph2
490 kph2
Speed @ 16,405' /
5,000 m
302 mph3
486 kph3
Speed @ 16,500' /
5,000 m
300 mph1
485 kph1
Cruising speed 248 mph3
399 kph3
Climb 2,559'/minute3
780 m/minute3
Climb to 16,405' /
5,000 m
6.5 minutes3
Climb to 19,685' /
6,000 m
9 minutes2
Service ceiling 30,840'3, 31,000'1, 32,810'2
9,400 m1,3, 10,000 m2
Range 680 miles1, 684 miles2, 932 miles3
1,100 km1,2, 1,500 km3
Armament  
Thru propeller 20 mm3
20 mm Hispano1
20 mm HS 4042
Wings 2: 7.5 mm MG1,3
2: 7.5 mm MAC 1934 MG2

Sources:

  1. Aircraft of World War II, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
  2. Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
  3. Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
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