MS 406 C1

Specifications MS 406 C1 blueprint

The MS 406 C1 is an iconic example of French fighter aircraft from the World War II era. First introduced in 1938, the plane was a sharp-edged, low-wing monoplane, with an open cockpit and fabric-covered, welded steel tube frame. The engine was in the nose, and the tailplane was set back behind the cockpit. It was powered by an Hispano-Suiza 12Y-29 engine, and had a V-type tail, mounted on a box-like fuselage with smooth curvature. Its wings had rounded tips and had no landing flaps. It was armed with two 7.5mm machine guns in the engine cowling, and one 20mm cannon in the wings. It was also fitted with a bombsight. The MS 406 C1 was a highly maneuverable plane, capable of attaining speeds of up to 330kph and a ceiling of more than 10,000 feet, although its cruising speed was only around 200kph. It was capable of carrying a small load of up to 150 kilograms, and was capable of withstanding considerable stress in aerobatics, with its robust metal airframe. The aircraft was known to have good visibility from the cockpit, making it a good aerial gunnery platform, but was relatively difficult to bail out of in an emergency. The MS 406 C1 rose to prominence in the Battle of France, where it achieved a kill/loss ratio of 5:1 against its German opponents, making it one of the most successful French fighters of the war. Postwar, it remained in service with the French air force until 1950. It was also used by a number of other air forces, including those of Czechoslovakia and Romania. Today, the MS 406 C1 is viewed as a classic and highly-lauded piece of French aviation history.