August 8 / Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 first flight
First Flight 8 August 1935
Morane-Saulnier M.S.406
The Morane-Saulnier M.S.406, a notable French fighter aircraft, was meticulously crafted by Morane-Saulnier and entered production in 1938. This aircraft held the distinction of being France's most prevalent fighter model in the Second World War, standing as one of merely two French creations to surpass a production count of 1,000 units. As hostilities commenced, it stood alongside the Potez 630 as one of the sole French-manufactured aircraft boasting speeds exceeding 400 km/h (250 mph).
In response to a requirement for a fighter issued by the French Air Force in 1934, Morane-Saulnier built a prototype, designated MS.405, constructed from mixed materials. This model held the distinction of being the company's inaugural low-wing monoplane, featuring an enclosed cockpit and the novel addition of a retracting undercarriage. The introduction of the M.S.406 to the French Air Force in early 1939 marked the adoption of the first modern fighter aircraft by the service. Despite its sturdiness and high manoeuvrability, the M.S.406 was deemed underpowered and inadequately armed compared to its counterparts. It was notably outperformed by the Messerschmitt Bf 109E, especially during the challenging Battle of France.
The Morane type proved its worth during the Phoney War from September 1939 to 10 May 1940. However, the tide turned for approximately 400 Morane aircraft upon the invasion of France in May 1940. Of these, about 150 fell to enemy fighters and ground fire, while another 100 met their demise during enemy air raids on the ground. The rest were intentionally destroyed by French military personnel to avoid them falling into enemy hands. French M.S.406 squadrons notched up 191 confirmed victories and 83 probable victories before limited production of the aircraft type persisted in France, albeit under German supervision, post the Armistice of 22 June 1940.
The M.S.406 had a widespread clientele base, with exports reaching various countries. Poland, despite ordering 160 aircraft, did not receive any planes before the war commenced, with the initial shipment dispatched on August 29, 1939. Notably, the aircraft found success in the Finnish and Swiss air forces, leading both nations to create modified versions like the Finnish Mörkö-Morane. By the war's end, most M.S.406s and their variants had become outdated due to significant advancements in fighter plane technology. Finland repurposed the remaining aircraft as advanced trainers until the last ones were decommissioned in 1952.
M.S.406 Facts
Prototype Evolution: The initial prototype of the M.S.405, which led to the development of the M.S.406, underwent significant structural changes during its testing phase. These changes included modifications to the wing design and the cooling system, which were crucial in addressing early performance issues and improving overall aerodynamics.
Export Variants: Beyond its service with the French Air Force, the M.S.406 was exported to several other countries, including Switzerland and Turkey. Switzerland, in particular, produced its own licensed version known as the D-3800, which featured several modifications tailored to Swiss requirements.
Finnish Modifications: The Finnish Air Force significantly modified the M.S.406 to improve its performance in harsh winter conditions. These modifications included the installation of a more powerful Soviet Klimov M-105P engine, resulting in the Mörkö-Morane variant, which had improved speed and armament.
Undercarriage Issues: One of the persistent problems with the M.S.406 was its undercarriage. The retractable landing gear, while advanced for its time, was prone to mechanical failures and required frequent maintenance, which sometimes hampered operational readiness.
Limited Armor: The M.S.406 was relatively lightly armored compared to its contemporaries. This made it more vulnerable to enemy fire, particularly from the heavily armed German fighters it faced during the Battle of France. Efforts to add additional armour were constrained by the aircraft’s weight and performance limitations.
Combat in Syria: The M.S.406 saw combat in the Middle East during World War II. Vichy French forces used the aircraft in Syria against British and Free French forces during the Syria-Lebanon Campaign in 1941. This is a lesser-known theatre where the M.S.406 played a role.
Captured Use: After the fall of France, the Germans captured a number of M.S.406s and used them for training purposes. Some of these captured aircraft were also provided to the Air Forces of Axis-aligned countries, including Croatia and Finland, contributing to their war efforts.
Limited Night Operations: The M.S.406 was occasionally used in night operations, although it was not specifically designed for this role. Pilots had to rely on their skills and rudimentary instruments to navigate and engage in night combat, which was a challenging task given the aircraft’s design limitations.
Post-War Service: After World War II, the M.S.406 continued to serve in various air forces for a few years. In Finland, the modified Mörkö-Morane variant remained in service until the late 1940s, highlighting the aircraft’s durability and the resourcefulness of the Finnish modifications.
Production Challenges: The production of the M.S.406 encountered significant hurdles due to the decentralized nature of the French aviation industry at the time. Unlike more centralized production models, the M.S.406 was built by a consortium of companies, including Morane-Saulnier and SNCASO (Société Nationale des Constructions Aéronautiques du Sud-Ouest), along with various subcontractors. This fragmented approach led to inconsistencies in manufacturing quality and delays in delivery. Coordination across multiple production sites proved difficult, resulting in logistical issues and variations in the final product. Despite these challenges, the consortium managed to produce around 1,000 units before the fall of France in 1940. This decentralized production model highlighted both the collaborative efforts within the French aviation industry and the difficulties of maintaining consistent standards across different facilities.
