The Morane-Saulnier MS.406 was a single engine, piston-powered, single-seat fighter appearing just before the outbreak of hostilities between France and Germany. Though a solid design by 1930's standards, the system did not fare well against the German Luftwaffe breed of fighters which featured better engines (and thus performance), armor protection and pilot training. Nevertheless, the M.S.406 played a critical role in the defense of France - despite the nations eventual capitulation - and is regarded as the best fighter design fielded by the country at the outbreak of the war.
Design-wise, the MS.406 was contemporary in nature and featured low monoplane wings, a three-bladed propeller and a retractable undercarriage. The 406 came along after changes were made to the existing M.S.405 model. The M.S.406 incorporated newer and lighter wings than her predecessor and also featured a retractable radiator under the fuselage. Power was derived from a single Hispano-Suiza 12Y-31 series V12 liquid-cooled engine developing up to 860 horsepower, providing some 301 miles per hour with a ceiling of nearly 31,000 feet and a range close to 500 miles. The engine was mounted in the front of the fuselage just forward of the cockpit. Vision from the canopy was adequate though it was situated aft of the wings. The canopy enclosure was divided into three sections and integrated into the base of the empennage. Armament could be considered quite subpar on the whole when compared to other aircraft of the time and centered around a 20mm Hispano-Suiza HS.404 series cannon firing through the propeller hub along with a pair of 7.5mm MAC 1934 series machine guns, one fitted to each wing.
Once inevitable combat began in 1938, the Morane-Saulnier MS.406 offered up hope in defense against Germany. By 1940 however, the system was wholly outclassed by the Luftwaffe Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters and were not made in the quantity required to post up greater results. Many of the French production aircraft were unfortunately doomed to production delays as their airframes waited in warehouses without engines. In retrospect, the aircraft found more favor and success fighting on with other foreign operators of the system that included Finland and Switzerland. The Fins probably faired the best with the M.S.406 against the Soviets, though this was an M.S.406 flying in a modified form. By the Fall of France, surplus M.S.406's were put into service with the German Luftwaffe as trainer aircraft while others were sold off to allied nations.
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Specifications
Morane-Saulnier - France Manufacturer(s)
France; Bulgaria; China; Croatia; Finland; Nazi Germany; Kingdom of Italy; Lithuania; Poland; Switzerland; Turkey; Thailand; Yugoslavia Operators
AIR-TO-AIR COMBAT
General ability to actively engage other aircraft of similar form and function, typically through guns, missiles, and/or aerial rockets.
26.8 ft (8.16 meters) Length
34.8 ft (10.60 meters) Width/Span
9.3 ft (2.83 meters) Height
4,189 lb (1,900 kilograms) Empty Weight
5,445 lb (2,470 kilograms) Maximum Take-Off Weight
+1,257 lb (+570 kg) Weight Difference
1 x Hispano-Suiza 12Y-31 V12 liquid-cooled engine developing 860hp. Propulsion
STANDARD:
1 x 20mm Hispano-Suiza HS.404 cannon in propeller hub
2 x 7.5mm MAC 1934 machine guns in wings
0 Hardpoints
M.S.405 - Developmental Model; 2 prototypes and 16 pre-production models.
M.S.406 - Based on M.S.405 Development Model; decreased overall weight and redesigned wing structure; fitted with Hispano-Suiza HS 12Y-31 engines of 860 horsepower; 1 x 20mm cannon and 2 x 7.5mm machine guns.
M.S.410 - Improved M.S.406 Model Series; reinforced wing structure; 4 x machine guns; top speed increase; 5 examples completed.
M.S.411 - Single Production Example; fitted with wing system of M.S.406 model and Hispano-Suiza HS 12Y-45 series engine of 1,000 horsepower.
M.S.412 - Unfinished Model; fitted with Hispano-Suiza 12Y-51 series engine of 1,050 horsepower.
M.S.450 - Single Prototype Development; fitted with Hispano-Suiza 12Z engine of 1,300 horsepower.
M.S.430 - Two-Seat Trainer; fitted with Salmson 9 radial engine of 390 horsepower.
M.S.435 - Two-Seat Trainer; fitted with Gnome-Rhone 9K series engine of 550 horsepower.
EFW D-3800 - Swiss designation for license production M.S.406's; built from 2 received M.S.405 model series.
EFW D-3801 - Fitted with Swiss instruments, weaponry and propeller system.
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