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Moraine-Saulnier M.S. 406
M.S. 406

Type: Single-Seat Fighter
Origin: Moraine-Saulnier
First Flight: January 29, 1939
Service Delivery: March 1, 1939
Final Delivery: N/A
Number Produced: N/A

Engine:
Model: Hispano-Suiza 12Y-31
Type: V12 Liquid cooled
Number: One
Horsepower: 860 hp

Dimensions:
Wing span: 34 ft. 9.75 in. (10.60m)
Length: 26 ft. 9.25 in. (8.16m)
Height: 9 ft. 3.75 in. (2.83m)
Wing Surface Area: 172.23 sq. ft. (16.00 m²)
Weights:
Empty: 4,189 lbs. (1900 kg)
Loaded: 5,445 lbs.
Max. Take-Off: 6,000 lbs. (2722 kg)

Performance:
Maximum Speed: 302 mph (485 km/h)
Initial climb: 2,789 ft./min. (850 m/min)
Service Ceiling: 30,840 ft. (9400m)
Range (Internal Fuel): 497 Miles (800 km)

Armament:
20mm Hispano-Suiza HS-9 or 404 cannon firing through spinner
    Ammunition: 60 round drum
Two 7.5mm MAC 1934 machine guns in wings
    Ammunition: 300 Rounds per gun

Comments:
Equipping 19 of the 26 French fighter groups available in May of 1940, the M.S. 406 was the most numerous fighter available to combat the Germans. However, severely underpowered, unprotected, and underarmed, the M.S. 496 proved to be as easy to shoot down as it was to fly. Fitted with drop tanks, the Vichy government sent several to Syria to fight the RAF. Many were fitted with skis and the Soviet M-105P engine and used by Finland (called the LaGG-Moraine).

M.S. 406