Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 In French Service
The Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 represents a crucial, yet technically limited, chapter in French military aviation history. Developed in response to the 1934 requirement for a new, monoplane fighter, the design emerged from the prototype M.S.405, which first flew in August 1935. It was a clean, low-wing monoplane featuring then-innovative elements like a retractable undercarriage, an enclosed cockpit, and mixed construction utilizing duralumin, fabric covering, and the lightweight, patented Plymax material (duralumin sheeting bonded to plywood). Following French nationalization of the aviation industry in 1936, the M.S.406 variant became the primary production model, with mass output being prioritized in the immediate years leading up to World War II. By the outbreak of war in September 1939, the M.S.406 was the most numerous frontline fighter in the Armée de l’Air, with over 500 airframes operational, initially providing a much-needed morale and matériel boost to French defenses.
Technical Specifications and Limitations
The performance envelope of the M.S.406 was fundamentally dictated by its powerplant: the 860 horsepower Hispano-Suiza 12Y-31 liquid-cooled V12 engine. This engine, while dependable, proved inadequate for achieving the speeds and climb rates necessary to compete with contemporary German opposition. At its best, the M.S.406 achieved a maximum speed of approximately 485 km/h (301 mph), a figure soon surpassed by subsequent variants of the Messerschmitt Bf 109.
In terms of armament, the M.S.406 carried a centralized 20mm Hispano-Suiza HS.404 cannon firing through the propeller spinner, supplemented by two 7.5mm MAC 1934 machine guns mounted in the wings. While the HS.404 cannon was theoretically potent, its low rate of fire and limited ammunition capacity (60 rounds) often restricted its effectiveness. Furthermore, the wing-mounted machine guns suffered from inconsistent performance, especially at high altitude, and required extensive manual adjustment and maintenance. These technical constraints collectively positioned the M.S.406 as an intermediate performer, already facing obsolescence at the moment of its most intense combat deployment.
Combat Performance in the Battle of France (1940)
The M.S.406 bore the brunt of the German Blitzkrieg offensive in May and June 1940. Units flying the M.S.406, such as Groupes de Chasse (GC) I/2 and I/3, were extensively engaged over the front lines. The aircraft’s combat effectiveness was decidedly mixed. Against bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, the M.S.406 could hold its own, often achieving kills due to the superior speed over the targeted aircraft. However, when confronting the Messerschmitt Bf 109E, the M.S.406 was consistently outmatched. The Bf 109E possessed a critical advantage in speed, climb rate, and operational ceiling, allowing German pilots to dictate the terms of engagement, typically utilizing diving attacks where the M.S.406 was most vulnerable.
French pilots adapted by employing defensive tactics that maximized the M.S.406’s principal advantage: low-speed maneuverability. In prolonged, low-altitude turning dogfights, the M.S.406 was often competitive. Despite these tactical efforts, the attrition rate was devastating. During the six weeks of fighting, the Armée de l’Air lost hundreds of M.S.406s to combat, operational mishaps, and destruction on the ground. While the M.S.406 achieved a respectable ratio of kills-to-losses during certain periods, the systemic deficiencies in French command, control, and maintenance infrastructure meant that combat losses could not be replaced rapidly enough, leading to the collapse of fighter resistance.
Post-Armistice Service: Vichy France (M.S.406)
Photos of Morane Saulnier M.S.406 fighters operated by Vichy France can be found here.
Free French (FAFL) and Final Disposition
In contrast to the extensive, if constrained, use by Vichy France, the Free French Air Forces (FAFL) utilized the M.S.406 only in a very limited capacity. Most FAFL squadrons were quickly re-equipped with modern British and American aircraft, such as the Hurricane and Spitfire, which were supplied by the Allies. The few M.S.406s that escaped to join the FAFL, primarily from overseas colonies, were utilized briefly in non-frontline areas or relegated to training roles before being completely replaced. Their technical shortcomings made them unsuitable for competitive combat operations alongside Allied units in the European or Mediterranean theatres.
Following the North African armistice, the bulk of the surviving Vichy M.S.406s were integrated into the re-formed French Air Force, now fighting alongside the Allies. However, due to the reasons of technical obsolescence and logistical complexity, they were quickly retired from operational frontline status. By 1943, the type had been almost entirely relegated to utility or advanced training roles until their final decommissioning, marking the end of the M.S.406’s operational service under any French flag.
