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{{Short description|French fighter aircraft}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}
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{{Infobox aircraft
 |name= M.S.406
 |image= File:Morane D-3801 J-143.jpg
 |caption=Morane-Saulnier D-3801 (GC LaFayette)
 |type=[[fighter aircraft|Fighter]]
 |manufacturer=[[Morane-Saulnier]]
 |designer=
 |first_flight=8 August 1935 (M.S.405)
 |introduction= 1938
 |retired=
 |status= Retired
 |primary_user=[[French Air Force]]
 |more_users=[[Finnish Air Force]]<br />[[Swiss Air Force]]<br />[[Turkish Air Force]]
 |produced=<!--years in production, e.g. 1970-1999, if still in active use but no longer built-->
 |number_built= 1,176
 |unit cost=
 |variants=
}}

The '''Morane-Saulnier M.S.406''' is a French [[fighter aircraft]] developed and manufactured by [[Morane-Saulnier]] starting in 1938. It was France's most numerous fighter during the [[World War II|Second World War]] and one of only two French designs to exceed 1,000 in number. At the beginning of the war, it was one of only two French-built aircraft capable of 400&nbsp;km/h (250&nbsp;mph) – the other being the [[Potez 630]].<ref name="Botquin, p. 6.">Botquin 1967, p. 6.</ref>

In response to a requirement for a fighter issued by the French Air Force in 1934, Morane-Saulnier built a prototype, designated '''MS.405''', of mixed materials. This had the distinction of being the company's first low-wing monoplane, as well as the first to feature an enclosed cockpit, and the first design with a retracting [[landing gear|undercarriage]]. The entry to service of the M.S.406 to the French Air Force in early 1939 represented the first modern fighter aircraft to be adopted by the service.<ref name="Bot p3"/> Although a sturdy and highly manoeuvrable fighter aircraft,<ref name="The Hamlyn Guide to Military Aircraft Markings">Wheeler 1992, p. 41.</ref> it was considered underpowered and weakly armed when compared to its contemporaries and the M.S.406 was outperformed by the [[Messerschmitt Bf 109]]E during the [[Battle of France]].

The type was capable of holding its own during the so-called [[Phoney War]] from September 1939 to 10 May 1940. Upon the invasion of France in May 1940, approximately 400 Moranes were lost. Out of these, around 150 were lost to enemy fighters and ground fire, while another 100 aircraft were destroyed on the ground during enemy air raids; the remainder were deliberately destroyed by French military personnel to prevent the fighters from falling into German hands. French M.S.406 squadrons had achieved 191 confirmed victories, along with another 83 probable victories.<ref name="Botquin, p. 10.">Botquin 1967, p. 10.</ref> Limited production of the type continued in France for sometime after the [[Armistice of 22 June 1940]] under German supervision.

The M.S.406 was exported to a range of customers. Out of 160 aeroplanes ordered by Poland, none had reached Polish territory before the outbreak of war, with the first consignment sent on 29 August 1939.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.samolotypolskie.pl/samoloty/1904/126/Morane-Saulnier-MS-406C1|title=Samolotypolskie.pl - Morane-Saulnier MS-406C1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.salon24.pl/u/jedenz/531354,polski-plan-w-1939-roku-1300-nowych-samolotow|title=POLSKI PLAN w 1939 ROKU - 1300 NOWYCH SAMOLOTÓW|date=5 September 2013 }}</ref> Of particular note was its service in the hands of Finnish and Swiss air forces; both operators chose to develop indigenous derivatives of the M.S.406, such as the Finnish ''Mörkö<ref>Finnish for "[[Bogeyman]]"</ref>-Morane''). By the end of the war, the majority of M.S.406s and its derivatives were out of service, having been rendered obsolete by rapid advances in fighter aircraft technology. Its final use was as an advanced trainer aircraft in Finland, prior to the last examples of the type being scrapped during 1952.

==Design and development==
===Origins===
During 1934, the ''[[Service Technique de l'Aéronautique]]'' (Aeronautical Technical Service) of the [[French Air Force]] issued the "C1 design" requirement for a new and modern single-seat [[interceptor aircraft|interceptor]] fighter.<ref name="Bot p3"/> Envisaged as a monoplane with a retractable [[landing gear|undercarriage]], the prospective fighter aircraft was to serve as a replacement for the [[Dewoitine D.371]], [[Dewoitine D.500]], and [[Loire 46]] aircraft. Amongst the various aviation companies who took interest in the specification, to which the potential for a large production order was attached, was French aircraft manufacturer [[Morane-Saulnier]].<ref name="Bot p3"/>

The company's design team quickly projected that a low-wing monoplane design would be capable of delivering the desired level of performance; other features were to include an enclosed cockpit, a [[Variable-pitch propeller (aeronautics)|variable-pitch propeller]] and landing [[Flap (aeronautics)|flap]]s.<ref name="Bot p3"/> It was decided to submit their own response to the requirement, the ''M.S.405''; work on the design was headed by the firm's Engineer-in-Chief, Paul-René Gauthier. The shape and basic configuration of the M.S.405 were hotly contested, particularly between 'traditional' advocates of [[biplane]] aircraft and 'modern' monoplane supporters.<ref name="Bot p3"/>

The MS.405 was a low-wing monoplane of mixed construction, with fabric-covered wooden tail, with a bonded metal–wood material (''[[Plymax]]'') skin fixed to [[duralumin]] tubing. Plymax consisted of a thin sheet of duralumin bonded to a thicker sheet of [[plywood]]. Morane-Saulnier had a long history of producing warplanes dating back to the pre-[[First World War]] years but in the inter-war period, they had concentrated on civil designs. The aircraft was a departure for them, being their first low-wing monoplane, first with an enclosed cockpit and first with retracting landing gear. Prior to this, their most modern designs were fixed-gear [[Parasol wing|parasol]] [[monoplane]]s.<ref name="Bot p3"/>

===Into flight===
[[File:Morane-Saulnier MS.405 1938.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|MS.405 in 1938.]]
The new {{convert|860|hp|kW|abbr=on|1|order=flip}} [[Hispano-Suiza 12Ygrs]] engine driving a two-pitch [[Chauvière]] propeller powered the first ''M.S405-1'' prototype, which flew on 8 August 1935.<ref name="Complete p417">Green and Swanborough 1994, p. 417.</ref><ref name="Bot p3">Botquin 1967, p. 3.</ref> First flown by French aerobatic pilot [[Michel Détroyat]], the prototype demonstrated the type's favourable flying characteristics from the onset. Early test flights were flown with a fixed undercarriage, which was replaced by a retractable counterpart later on.<ref name="Bot p3"/> After 80 hours of test flights, in January 1936, the prototype was delivered with all military equipment fitted to [[Chief of the Defence Staff (France)|CEMA]] at [[Vélizy – Villacoublay Air Base|Villacoublay]] to participate in service trials. On 19 June 1937, the first prototype generated substantial publicity when Détroyat flew it from [[Paris]] to [[Brussels]] in [[Belgium]], to be displayed at the [[Brussels Aeronautical Exhibition]].<ref name="Bot p3 4">Botquin 1967, pp. 3–4.</ref>

Development of the M.S.405 proceeded fairly slowly; testing revealed the need to modify the wing [[Planform (aeronautics)|planform]] and [[Dihedral (aeronautics)|dihedral]], while the [[List of aircraft propeller manufacturers#C|Chauvière]]-built propeller was replaced by a [[Pierre Levasseur (aircraft builder)|Levasseur]]-built counterpart.<ref name="Bot p3"/> The second ''M.S.405-2'' prototype with a {{convert|900|hp|kW|abbr=on|1|order=flip}} [[Hispano-Suiza 12Ycrs]] engine did not make its first flight until 20 January 1937, almost a year and a half behind the first prototype.<ref name="Complete p417"/><ref name="Bot p4">Botquin 1967, p. 4.</ref> The second prototype was able to attain a speed of {{convert|275|mph|km/h|abbr=on|0|order=flip}} during testing.<ref name="Bot p4"/> During July 1937, both prototypes were flown to the [[Paris Air Show]]. On 29 July 1938, the second prototype was lost along with its pilot.<ref name="Bot p4"/> During March 1937, having been suitably impressed with its performance, an initial order was placed for the construction of 16 pre-production prototypes, which were to incorporate the design improvements that had been made upon the previous version.<ref name="Bot p3 4"/>

As a consequence of various changes made between the prototypes and the pre-production aircraft, the name ''M.S.406'' was adopted for the type. On 3 February 1938, the first pre-production aircraft made its first flight; during December 1938, the final pre-production M.S.406 was delivered.<ref name="Bot p4"/> The pre-production aircraft served to build up experience of manufacturing and testing of the type in advance of production M.S.406s. These 15 aircraft were used for various purposes, such as the third and tenth which served as examples for subcontractors [[SNCAO|Société nationale des constructions aéronautiques de l'ouest]] (SNCAO) and [[SNCAM|Société nationale des constructions aéronautiques du Midi]] (SNCAM), and the twelfth and thirteenth functioned as prototypes for the [[Switzerland|Swiss]] D-3801 and D-3800 export models.<ref name="Bot p4"/> Variants of the aircraft, including some which later entered mass production, were first represented amongst the pre-production aircraft.<ref name="Bot p4"/>

The two main changes of the M.S. 406 were the inclusion of a new wing structure which saved weight and the fitting of a retractable [[radiator (engine cooling)|radiator]], underneath the fuselage. Powered by the production {{convert|860|hp|kW|abbr=on|1|order=flip}} HS 12Y-31 engine, the new design was over {{convert|5|mph|km/h|abbr=on|0|order=flip}} faster than the earlier M.S.405 model. Designed to reach speeds of {{convert|304|mph|km/h|abbr=on|0|order=flip}}, examples were tested without encountering any difficulty in reaching up to 730&nbsp;km/h (454&nbsp;mph) in a dive. Armament consisted of a {{convert|20|mm|in|abbr=on|3}} [[Hispano-Suiza HS.9]] or [[Hispano-Suiza HS.404|404]] cannon with 60 rounds in the V of the engine, fired through the propeller hub and two {{convert|7.5|mm|in|abbr=on|3}} [[MAC 1934]] machine guns (one in each wing, each with 300 rounds). A weakness of the MAC 1934 was its operation at high altitudes. It was found that at altitudes over {{convert|6000|m|abbr=on}}, the guns had a tendency to freeze. Heaters were added to the guns for high-altitude use.<ref name="Bot p4"/>

===Further development===
Beyond the base M.S.406 design, the development of improved variants and derivatives were emphasised even as mass production of the type was still being established.<ref name="Bot p4"/> Perhaps the most significant of these was the ''M.S.410'', which was developed on the basis of very early combat experience gathered during autumn 1939. This model had four MAC 1934 machine guns with 550 rounds per gun, all of which were heated by warm air fed via a [[heat exchanger]] placed on the port engine exhausts.<ref name="Bot p4"/> The cockpit had a modified windscreen to accommodate a new [[reflector sight]] arrangement, as well the adoption of [[Pneumatics|electropneumatic]] controls of the armaments and provisions for the carriage of under-wing auxiliary fuel tanks.<ref name="Bot p4"/>

Following the completion of a pair of prototypes, during February 1940, the French government issued an order authorising the bulk upgrading of 500 M.S.406 fighters to the better armed, stronger and faster ({{cvt|509|km/h}} M.S.410 configuration.<ref name="Bot p4"/> It took 15 days to convert each fighter but conversions were stopped in May 1940 to put every available combat aircraft into action during the [[Battle of France]] against invading German forces. Only five complete production M.S.410 aircraft, along with 150 pairs of the revised wings, had been completed by this point.<ref name="Bot p4 5">Botquin 1967, pp. 4–5.</ref>

===Production===
[[File:Flugzeug Morane-Saulnier D.3800 (Ans 05035-075).jpg|thumb|right|Aircraft cockpit instruments (Swiss D.3800 variant)]]
During the late 1930s, there was a growing perception that a major conflict between Germany and France was not only looming but increasingly unavoidable. As part of its rearmament, the French Air Force placed an order for 1,000 M.S406 airframes during March 1938.<ref name="Bot p3"/> Morane-Saulnier was unable to produce anywhere near this number at their own factory, thus a second assembly line was established at the nationalized factories of SNCAO at [[St. Nazaire]] in order to produce the type.<ref name="Botquin, p. 7."/> In April 1937, an initial order for 50 SNCAO-built M.S.406 fighters was placed; in August 1937, a follow-up order for 80 aircraft was issued. In April 1938, as a component of the French Air Force's ''Plan V'', a large order for 825 M.S.406 was placed with the various nationalised French aircraft industries.<ref name="Botquin, p. 7.">Botquin 1967, p. 7.</ref>

During late 1938, production of the M.S.406 commenced; the first production example performed its maiden flight on 29 January 1939.<ref name="Botquin, p. 7."/> Production was initially quite slow; only 18 aircraft were produced at Puteaux, along with 10 fighters built by SNCAO. Deliveries were hampered more by the slow deliveries of engines than by the lack of airframes; while efforts were made to correct this, according to Botquin, the engine shortage was present throughout the manufacturing programme.<ref name="Botquin, p. 7."/> By April 1939, the production lines were delivering six aircraft per day and when war broke out on 3 September 1939, the rate production had risen to 11 aircraft per day; at this time, 535 M.S.406s had entered squadron service.<ref name="Bot p3"/> According to aviation author Gaston Botquin, the rate of production of the type was comparable to the initial model of the British [[Hawker Hurricane]].<ref name="Bot p3"/>

Production had reached a high-point of 147 M.S.406 aircraft during August 1939, before declining as manufacturing efforts were progressively re-directed towards other aircraft, such as the [[Lioré et Olivier LeO 45]].<ref name="Botquin, p. 7."/> Manufacturing of the M.S.406 was wound down during March 1940, by which point the original order for 1,000 fighters had been delivered in full to the French Air Force, along with a further 77 aircraft which had been constructed for foreign users (30 fighters for Finland and 45 for [[Turkey]]). Additional M.S.406 orders that had been placed for [[Lithuania]] and [[Poland]] were cancelled with the outbreak of the war.<ref name="Botquin, p. 10 12.">Botquin 1967, pp. 10, 12.</ref>

According to Botquin, the M.S.406 had attracted considerable foreign attention during the late 1930s, and had shown signs of commercial promise early on.<ref name="Botquin, p. 10."/> During 1937, negotiations were underway between France and Belgium to undertake the [[licensed production]] of the type by Belgian aircraft manufacturer [[Avions Fairey]] for both the Belgian and French air forces, but these ultimately came to nothing. Instead, the first major export customer was Switzerland who, in September 1938, acquired a manufacturing licence for the type to be manufactured by Swiss firm [[Fabrique fédérale d'avions]] in [[Emmen, Switzerland|Emmen]].<ref name="Botquin, p. 10."/>

==Operational history==
===In French service===
[[File:MS 406 GC I 6.jpg|thumb|left|Morane-Saulnier MS.406 N° 847, white 05 of Groupe de Chasse I/6, May 1940]]
During May 1938, the 2nd ''Escadrille'' of the 7th ''Groupe de Chasse'' at [[Reims]] conducted operational testing of the type using a handful of pre-production M.S.406 aircraft.<ref name="Botquin, p. 7."/> In spite of some accidents experienced, pilots were commonly pleased with the type's performance; in response to the accidents, improvements such as the strengthening of the undercarriage and the cabin hood were implemented during mid-1939. In spite of complaints regarding the forward fuselage exterior covering and motor attachments, no corrective actions were implemented to address these concerns.<ref name="Botquin, p. 7."/>

Production M.S.406s quickly followed the earlier examples.<ref name="Botquin, p. 7."/> Between December 1938 and January 1939, the 6th Escadre exchanged its obsolete Loire 46 fighters for the type, while other units rapidly followed. By [[Bastille Day]] of that year, sufficient production M.S.406 aircraft had been delivered to enable the type to perform the Paris fly-past on 14 July 1939.<ref name="Botquin, p. 7."/> Overall, the M.S.406 equipped 16 ''Groupes de Chasse'' and three ''Escadrilles'', stationed in both mainland France and across its overseas [[colony|colonies]]; of these, 12 of the ''Groupes'' saw action against the ''[[Luftwaffe]]''.<ref name="Botquin, p. 7 8.">Botquin 1967, pp. 7–8.</ref>

On 23 August 1939, in response to the diplomatic crisis emerging over the [[Invasion of Poland]], all French Air Force units were mobilised as part of preparations to be ready for imminent combat operations.<ref name="Botquin, p. 8.">Botquin 1967, p. 8.</ref> Various M.S.406-equipped units were deployed along the border with Germany stretching between Luxembourg and Switzerland, intended to support the sizable ground elements of the French Army from the air. During the [[Phoney War]] opening phase of the Second World War, a time of relatively low combat intensity, the type's activities focused upon air defence operations with the aim of countering the prolific [[aerial reconnaissance]] and probing activities of small groups of [[Axis powers|Axis]]-aligned fighters coming over the border, in addition to escorting friendly reconnaissance aircraft.<ref name="Botquin, p. 8."/> Throughout the Phoney War, a total of 10,119 fighter missions were reportedly flown over the Army Zones on the border, around half of which being flown by M.S.406 fighters.<ref name="Botquin, p. 8."/>

During the Phoney War, isolated skirmishes occurred between the M.S.406 and fighters of the ''Luftwaffe'', particularly early models of the [[Messerschmitt Bf 109]].<ref name="Botquin, p. 8."/> For 32 claimed 'kills' and 16 'probables' achieved by M.S.406s, including against the Bf 109, 13 were lost in combat along with 33 more that were lost within the border zone under vague circumstances. According to Botquin, by this stage, the weaknesses of the M.S.406 were already apparent, such as the lack of armouring, frequent gun-jamming, inadequate firepower, slow responsiveness of the guns, unreliable radio units, very high rate of engine wear, corrosion of rudder components, cabin glazing breaking under air pressure during certain manoeuvres, loss of exterior panels due to screws deteriorating rapidly, and the lack of rear-view mirrors.<ref name="Botquin, p. 8."/>

Efforts to fully replace the M.S.406 with a more capable fighter failed to occur prior to the end of the Phoney War on 10 May 1940, the month in which a massive full-scale invasion by German forces of mainland France commenced, resulting in the Battle of France.<ref name="Botquin, p. 6 8 9.">Botquin 1967, pp. 6, 8–9.</ref> On the eve of the invasion, a total of 10 Groupes de Chasse were equipped with M.S.406 fighters, along with a number of defensive units which were almost exclusively equipped with either the M.S.406 or [[Bloch MB.150|Bloch MB.152]] aircraft.<ref name="Botquin, p. 9.">Botquin 1967, p. 9.</ref>

[[File:MonumentAndreMontyLongpont02.jpg|thumb|Monument in [[Longpont]] (Aisne) where a French pilot Lieutenant André Monty was shot down in June 1940 by three [[Messerschmitt Bf 109|Bf 109]]s and buried among his MS.406 remains.]]
During the relentless fighting that followed, Allied forces suffered a high rate of attrition and were unable to keep up with the level of damage being sustained.<ref name="Botquin, p. 9."/> Of the M.S.406s that saw action against the Germans, heavy losses were incurred; reportedly, 150 aircraft were lost in action while a further 250–300 fighters were recorded as having been lost through other causes.<ref name= "Jackson p. 21.">Jackson 2003, p. 21.</ref> The rapid advance of German forces led to repeated retreats and abandonment of bases, rendering most repair and replacement efforts disorganized, along with ground crews often having to destroy large numbers of their own fighter aircraft on the ground to prevent their capture.<ref name="Botquin, p. 9 10."/> The decision to employ small groups of French fighters against larger German formations was mostly ineffective against bombers and often costly.<ref name="Botquin, p. 9."/>

Though the aircraft was very manoeuvrable and could withstand high amounts of battle damage,<ref name="Jackson p. 21." /> in combat against enemy fighters the M.S.406 often experienced mixed results.<ref name="Botquin, p. 9 10.">Botquin 1967, pp. 9–10.</ref> While there were isolated incidents of favourable results being achieved with the type even against the capable Bf 109 — 100&nbsp;km/h faster than the Morane — the 406 was usually outclassed by the Luftwaffe fighters. The story of GC III/7 was typical. On 15 May, nine Moranes of this fighter unit encountered a dozen Bf 109s over Mézières. The Messerschmitts stayed a few thousand feet above their French opponents and dived in pairs to attack, with a single firing pass, before climbing back and then repeating the attack. Three M.S.406 went spinning down in flames; a fourth Morane, riddled with bullets, crash-landed at [[Soissons]] and was wrecked, while a fifth pilot was wounded in the head by splinters, forcing him to land. Six days later, on 21 May, 17 Moranes of the same unit intercepted 50 Dorniers over [[Compiègne]], escorted by as many Bf&nbsp;109s. Before the Morane could close in to open fire, the Messerschmitts jumped them and shot down four Moranes almost at once. Two more were too badly damaged to be repaired. On their side, the French pilots claimed two Bf&nbsp;109s.<ref name= "Jackson p.43.">Jackson 1979, p. 43.</ref> The M.S.406 holds the unfortunate distinction of being the least effective French fighter in service during the Battle of France, which Botquin suggests was due to its relatively low firepower.<ref name="Botquin, p. 9 10."/> On 24 June 1940, a M.S.406 flown by Sous Lieutenant Marchelidon of G.C.1/2 scored the French Air Force's last kill in the conflict.<ref name="Botquin, p. 10."/> Botquin stated of the aircraft: "it would be pointless to pretend, as was often done during the war for [[propaganda]] purposes, that the M.S.406 was the finest fighter in the world...but it was certainly a pleasant machine to fly with no vices and great maneuverability".<ref name="Bot p3"/>

In the aftermath of the [[Armistice with France (Second Compiègne)|armistice]], only a single [[Vichy France|Vichy]] unit, GC. 1/7, was equipped with the M.S.406.<ref name= "Jackson p. 21.">Jackson 2003, p. 21.</ref> According to Botquin, the deployment of the type from this point onward reflected the fighter's relative obsolescence; it was reduced to relatively minor roles, being used mainly for training purposes in mainland France.<ref name="Botquin, p. 10."/> A handful of Syrian M.S.406 aircraft flew to Egypt, joining up with the [[Royal Air Force]] (RAF) and the [[Free French Air Force]], continuing to be operated there until they became unserviceable. Those that remained in Vichy France's control saw action [[Syria-Lebanon campaign|in Syria]] against encroaching RAF forces, and [[Battle of Madagascar|on Madagascar]] against the [[Fleet Air Arm]] of the [[Royal Navy]], suffering heavy losses against the service's [[Fairey Fulmar]] fighters.<ref name="Botquin, p. 10."/>

Germany took possession of a large number of M.S.406s and the later M.S.410s. The ''Luftwaffe'' operated a number of the type for training purposes, while others were sold off to third parties. [[Finland]] purchased additional M.S.406s (as well as a few 406/410 hybrids) from the Germans, while others were passed off to Italy and some 48 aircraft were delivered to the [[Air Force of the Independent State of Croatia]] during 1943.<ref name="Neulen 2000, p. 179">Neulen (2000), p. 179.</ref> Both Switzerland and Turkey also operated the type; the Swiss actually downed a number of both German and Allied aircraft during the 1944–45 period.<ref>Ries 1978, {{page needed|date=July 2017}}</ref>

Before the [[Pacific War|Pacific campaign]] proper, Vichy authorities in [[French Indochina]] were engaged in a frontier [[French-Thai War|war against Thailand]], during 1940–41. A number of M.S.406s stationed in Indochina downed several Thai fighters before all French Air Force units were withdrawn from the theatre.

===In Finnish service===
The M.S.406 had a parallel career in Finland. In February 1940, the first 30 French fighters were allocated to ''LeLv 28'', commanded by Major Jusu.<ref name="Botquin, p. 12."/> These aircraft received the Finnish designations MS-301 to MS-330. They were used in combat against the USSR during the [[Winter War]], and carried out 259 operational sorties and shot down 16 Soviet aircraft.<ref name= "Neulen 2000, p. 201"/> In modified form, the M.S.406 were later involved in the [[Continuation War]]. Between November 1939 and 4 September 1944, Lv28 scored 118 aerial victories flying the Morane M.S.406 (the unit flew Bf 109Gs for a time, as well). The unit lost 15 aircraft.<ref name="Neulen 2000, p. 217">Neulen (2000), p. 217.</ref> Total Finnish kills in Moranes were 121.{{citation needed|date=November 2014}} The top Morane ace in all theatres was W/O [[Urho Lehtovaara]], with 15 of his 44.5 total kills achieved in Moranes.<ref>Keskinen 1978, pp. 16–19.</ref> The Finnish nicknames were ''Murjaani'' ("[[Moors|moor]]" or "Negro"), a twist on its name, and ''Mätimaha'' (roe-belly) and ''Riippuvatsa'' (hanging belly) because of its bulged ventral fuselage.

==Variants==
===M.S.405===
The ''M.S.405'' was a low-wing monoplane of mixed construction, being furnished with a fabric-covered wooden tail and a bonded metal/wood material (''Plymax'') skin fixed to duralumin tubing. Plymax consisted of a thin sheet of duralumin bonded to a thicker sheet of plywood. It was the company's first low-wing monoplane design, as well as the first with an enclosed cockpit, and the first to feature retractable landing gear. The new {{convert|860|hp|kW|abbr=on|order=flip}} Hispano-Suiza 12Ygrs engine driving a two-pitch Chauvière propeller powered the first prototype, ''M.S.405-01'', which flew on 8 August 1935.<ref name="Complete p417"/><ref name="Bot p3"/> The second prototype, ''M.S.405-02'', powered by a {{convert|900|hp|kW|abbr=on|order=flip}} Hispano-Suiza 12Ycrs engine, performed its first flight on 20 January 1937.<ref name="Complete p417"/> Outfitted with the new engine, the fighter was able to attain a speed of {{cvt|275|mph|km/h mph kn|abbr=on|0|order=out}}.

===M.S.406===
[[File:Morane-Saulnier MS.406 C-1 (Ans 05035-087).jpg|thumb|right|Morane-Saulnier MS.406 C-1 in Swiss markings, approx. 1939]]
The ''M.S.406'' designation was adopted following various design changes from the earlier M.S.405 prototypes; two of the principal design changes were the inclusion of a new weight-saving wing structure and the new retractable radiator. Powered by the production {{convert|860|hp|kW|abbr=on|1|order=flip}} HS 12Y-31 engine, the new M.S.406 was over {{cvt|5|mph|km/h mph kn|abbr=on|0|order=out}} faster than the M.S. 405, at {{cvt|304|mph|km/h mph kn|abbr=on|0|order=out}}, tested with no problem to reach up to {{cvt|730|km/h|mph kn|abbr=on|0}} in a dive. Armament consisted of a {{convert|20|mm|in|abbr=on|3}} Hispano-Suiza HS.9 or Hispano-Suiza HS.404 cannon with 60 rounds in the V of the engine and fired through the propeller hub, and two {{convert|7.5|mm|in|abbr=on|3}} MAC 1934 machine guns (one in each wing, each with 300 rounds).

===M.S.410===
While the M.S.406 was entering squadron service in 1939, an upgrade series was initiated with the aim of improving the design. The result was the ''M.S.410'', which included the adoption of a stronger wing, simpler fixed radiator in place of the earlier retractable design, an arrangement of four belt-fed MAC guns (which were heated by hot air to prevent the frequent jamming of the wing guns at low temperatures suffered by the M.S.406) in place of the earlier pair of drum-fed weapons, and the fitting of exhaust ejectors for additional thrust.<ref name="Bot p4 5"/><ref name="laefan109p20">Botquin December 1978, p. 20</ref> The added thrust boosted the top speed to {{cvt|509|km/h|mph kn|abbr=on}} at {{convert|4000|m|ft|abbr=on}}, resulting in an improvement of about {{cvt|40|km/h|mph kn|abbr=on}} over the M.S.406 at the same height.<ref name="lefan109p21">Botquin December 1978, p. 21</ref> Production of the M.S.410 had only just started in May 1940, when the German attack resulted in the conversion programme being stopped, by which point only five examples of the type had been completed.<ref name="Bot p4"/> Production was allowed to continue under German supervision, converting earlier 406s to the 410 standard, but many of these aircraft received only the new wings. Altogether, a total of 74 planes were modified.<ref name="greenv1p57">Green 1960, p. 57</ref>

===M.S.411, M.S.412===
A single example of the M.S.411 was constructed by converting the 12th aircraft of the pre-production line with the 406 wing and the {{convert|1000|hp|kW|abbr=on|order=flip}} [[Hispano-Suiza 12Y-45]] engine. A later modification was started as the M.S.412 with the {{convert|1050|hp|kW|abbr=on|order=flip}} [[Hispano-Suiza 12Y-51]] engine, but this was not completed by the time the war ended.

===M.S.450===
In 1939, Hispano started prototype deliveries of the new [[Hispano-Suiza 12Z]] engine of {{convert|1300|hp|kW|abbr=on|order=flip}}. One was fitted to a modified M.S.410 to create the M.S.450, giving dramatic improvements in performance, especially at altitude. However the engine did not enter production before France fell, and the similarly modified [[Dewoitine D.520]] (the D.523) was considered a better design for the engine anyway.

===Other variants===
[[File:Morane Saulnier MS.430 photo L'Aerophile December 1936.jpg|thumb|Morane Saulnier MS.430 photo from L'Aerophile December 1936]]
The M.S.406 airframe was also used in a number of other projects.
;M.S.430: a two-seat trainer built by inserting a "plug" in the central fuselage with an extra cockpit for the trainee pilot, and using the much less powerful {{cvt|390|hp|kW|0}} [[Salmson 9AG]] [[radial engine]].<ref>Les Ailes November 1936</ref>
; M.S.435: a more powerful two-seat trainer version with the {{cvt|550|hp|kW|0}} [[Gnome-Rhône 9K]] engine.

===Swiss variants===
[[File:Morane-Saulnier D-3801 HB-RCF OTT 2013 04.jpg|thumb|D-3801, a Swiss development of MS-406]]
[[File:Morane D-3801 J-143 flying.jpg|thumb|Morane D-3801 J-143 (Association Morane Charlie-Fox)]]

====D-3800====
In 1938, Switzerland obtained a license for local production of the MS.406. Two MS.406H fighters were supplied to Switzerland in September 1938 and April 1939 to serve as pattern aircraft as the ''D-3800'',<ref>Brindley 1971, p. 48.</ref><ref name="Pelletier 2002, p. 16">Pelletier 2002, p. 16.</ref> retaining the earlier wing design of the 405, but powered by the newer [[Hispano-Suiza 12Y-31]] engines as used by the MS.406.

Pre-production started with a run of eight aircraft from [[EKW]] with engines built by Adolph [[Saurer]] AG driving a new Escher-Wyss EW-V3 fully adjustable propeller. Instruments were replaced with Swiss versions and the drum-fed MAC machine guns with locally designed and built belt-fed guns, eliminating the wing-bulges of the French version, and avoiding the freezing problems encountered by French guns. The first of these aircraft was completed in November 1939. The pre-production models were then followed with an order for a further 74 examples, which were all delivered by 29 August 1940. In 1942, a further two were assembled with spares originally set aside for the original production run.<ref>Brindley 1971, p. 49.</ref><ref name="Neut p12-3">Gunti 1991, pp. 12–13.</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Swiss Morane|url=http://www.ww2incolor.com/other/SWISS-MS406.html|work=www.ww2incolor.com|access-date=5 May 2013}}</ref>

During 1944, surviving aircraft were modified with new cooling and hydraulic installations, and were fitted with ejector exhausts. These modifications were the same standard as the D-3801 series, making them identical with the exception of the engine installation. At the end of the war the remaining aircraft were used as trainers, until the last one was scrapped in 1954.<ref name="Complete p419">Green and Swanborough 1994, p. 419.</ref>

====D.3801/3803====
[[File:Flugzeug Morane-Saulnier D.3801 (Ans 05035-082).jpg|thumb|left|Swiss D.3801 circa 1941]]
[[File:Flugzeug Morane-Saulnier D.3801 (Ans 05035-071).jpg|thumb|D.3801 in 1942]]
The Swiss continued development of the MS.412 when French involvement stopped following the [[Second Armistice at Compiègne|June 1940 Armistice]]. The Dornier-Altenrhein factory completed a prototype powered with a licensed-produced HS-51 12Y engine, generating {{convert|1060|hp|kW|abbr=on|order=flip}} together with the fixed radiator and revised exhausts as tested on the MS.411, in October 1940.<ref name="Botquin, p. 10.">Botquin 1967, p. 10.</ref> The new type retained the armament changes and other improvements introduced on the D.3800.<ref name="Complete p419-0">Green and Swanborough 1994, pp. 419–420.</ref><ref name="Neutral p16">Gunti 1991, p. 16.</ref> This series was put into production in 1941 as the ''D-3801'' with continued deliveries until 1945 with 207 completed. Another 17 were built from spares between 1947 and 1948.<ref name="Complete p419-0"/> Reliability of the new engine was at first extremely poor, with problems with crankshaft bearings causing several accidents. The engine problems slowed deliveries, with only 16 aircraft produced in 1942 and a single aircraft delivered in 1943. The engine problems were eventually resolved in 1944.<ref name="Neutral p16"/> With {{convert|1060|hp|kW|abbr=on|order=flip}} from the Hispano-Suiza 12Y-51, the speed was boosted to {{convert|332|mph|km/h|abbr=on|0|order=flip}}, roughly equivalent to the D.520 or the Hurricane. Weights were between {{convert|2124|-|2725|kg|lb|abbr=on}}. After being retired from operational use as a fighter when the [[North American P-51 Mustang]] was acquired in 1948, the type remained in service as a trainer and target tug until 1959.<ref name="Complete p419-0"/><ref name="Neutral p17">Gunti 1991, p. 17.</ref>

[[File:Flugzeug Morane-Saulnier D.3802 (Ans 05035-086).tif|thumb|right|The re-engine D.3802 in 1946, 12 of which were produced.]]
The D.3802 was based on the [[MS.450]], emerging as the MS.540, with a [[Saurer#Aero engines|Saurer YS-2]] {{convert|1250|hp|kW|abbr=on|1|order=flip}} engine. The prototype flew in the autumn of 1944, revealing several shortcomings, but it was capable of {{convert|630|km/h|mph kn|abbr=on|0}}. 12 were produced seeing limited use with Fliegerstaffel 17 and some other units.

The last development of this aircraft was the D.3803, with {{convert|1500|hp|kW|abbr=on|order=flip}} [[Saurer YS-3]] engine, and modified dorsal fuselage (with an all-round visibility canopy). The D.3803 was armed with three HS-404 {{convert|20|mm|in|abbr=on|3}} cannon (one in the nose, two in the wings), plus up to {{convert|200|kg|lb|abbr=on|0}} bombs and rockets. Despite not having a powerful engine, the type reached {{convert|680|km/h|mph kn|abbr=on|0}} at {{convert|7000|m|ft|abbr=on|0}}. The performance was impressive, but the last development of this 1935 fighter design had several shortcomings and was not entirely successful. Its development was halted as P-51D Mustangs became available.<ref>"Morane-Saulnier M.S.406." ''The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft.'' Aerospace/Orbis publishing Ltd, Italian version printed by De Agostini, Novara, 1984, p. 124.</ref>

===Finnish variants===
====Mörkö-Morane====
[[File:Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 lähtemässä partiolennolle, Äänislinna, Viitana 17.3.1942.jpg|thumb|left|[[Finnish Air Force|Finnish]] Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 departing for patrol during the [[Continuation War]] at Viitana, [[Karelia]], 17 March 1942.]]
France sent 30 M.S.406s to Finland, between 4 and 29 February 1940.<ref name="Neulen 2000, p. 201">Neulen (2000), p. 201.</ref> By 1943 the Finns had received an additional 46 M.S.406s and 11 M.S.410s purchased from the Germans. By this point, the fighters were hopelessly outdated,<ref name="Botquin, p. 12."/> but the Finns were so desperate for serviceable aircraft that they decided to start a modification program to bring all of their examples to a new standard.

The aircraft designer [[Aarne Lakomaa]] turned the obsolete "M-S" into a first rate fighter, the ''Mörkö-Morane'' (''Mörkö'' is the [[Finnish language|Finnish]] for "[[Bogeyman]]" or "[[Bugbear]]"). It is sometimes referred to as the "LaGG-Morane". The Germans also supplied captured [[Klimov M-105P]] engines (a licensed version of the HS 12Y) of {{convert|1100|hp|kW|abbr=on|order=flip}} with a fully adjustable VISh-61P propeller to power the Moranes.<ref>{{citation | title = Military Aircraft: Visual Encyclopedia | first = Jim | last = Winchester | isbn = 978-1782744870 | publisher = Amber Books, Ltd. | date = 2022 | location = London, UK | page = 128 }}</ref> The airframe required some local strengthening and also gained a new and more aerodynamic engine cowling. These changes boosted the speed to {{cvt|326|mph|km/h mph kn|abbr=on|0|order=out}}.<ref name="Botquin, p. 12."/> Other changes included a new oil cooler taken from the [[Messerschmitt Bf 109|Bf 109]], the use of four belt-fed guns like the M.S.410, and the excellent {{convert|20|mm|in|abbr=on|3}} [[MG 151/20]] cannon in the engine mounting. However, supplies of the MG 151 were limited, and several received captured {{convert|12.7|mm|in|abbr= on|3}} [[Berezin UB]]S guns instead.

The first example of the modified fighter, MS-631, made its first flight on 25 January 1943, and the results were startling: the aircraft was {{cvt|40|mph|km/h mph kn|abbr=on|0|order=out}} faster than the original French version, and the service ceiling was increased from {{cvt|10000|m}} to {{cvt|12000|m}}.<ref name= "Neulen p. 208.">Neulen (2000), p. 208.</ref>

Originally, it was planned to convert all the 41 remaining M.S.406s and M.S.410s with the Soviet engine, but it took time, and the first front-line aircraft of this type did not reach [[LeLv 28]] until July/August 1944.<ref name = "Neulen p. 208." /> By the end of the Continuation War in September 1944, only three examples had been converted (including the original prototype).<ref>Keskinen (1975), p. 108.</ref> Lieutenant [[Lars Hattinen]] (an ace with six victories) scored three kills with the Mörkö-Morane, one with each Mörkö-Morane in the squadron. More fighters arrived from the factory, though, and the Mörkö-Moranes took part in the [[Lapland War]] as reconnaissance and ground attack aircraft. Not all the Mörkö-Morane conversions were completed before March 1945, when the entire re-engining programme was halted.<ref name = "Neulen p. 208." /> After the end of the war, the total was brought to 41, which served as advanced trainers with TLeLv 14 until September 1948. In 1952 all remaining Finnish Moranes were scrapped.<ref>Keskinen (1975), p. 109</ref>

==Operators==
[[File:MS 406 fighters in Syria July 1941.jpg|thumb|Australian troops with Morane-Saulnier MS.406C1 fighters of Groupe de Chasse I/7, Syria, in July 1941.]]
[[File:Morane-Saulnier D-3801J.jpg|thumb|Morane-Saulnier D-3801 J-276 at the [[Flieger-Flab-Museum]]]]
[[File:Morane D.3801 Le Bourget.jpg|thumb|The D-3801 preserved at the [[Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace]]]]
[[File:Morane2.jpg|thumb|D-3801 J-276 at Fliegermuseum Dübendorf]]

;{{CHN-ROC}}
* [[Republic of China Air Force|Nationalist Chinese Air Force]] ordered 12 aircraft in 1938 and they were shipped to Haiphong, but diverted to Escadrille EC 2, which fought against the Japanese and Thai in December 1940.<ref name= "Botquin, p. 10."/> One or two aircraft may have reached the Chinese Air Force.<ref name="Pelletier 2002, p. 16"/>
;{{flag|Independent State of Croatia}}
* ''[[Air Force of the Independent State of Croatia|Zrakoplovstvo Nezavisne Države Hrvatske]]'' received 48 aircraft.
;{{FIN}}
* ''[[Finnish Air Force|Ilmavoimat]]'' received 76 M.S.406 and 11 M.S.410
;{{FRA}}
* ''[[French Air Force]]''
* [[French Navy]]
;{{flagicon|France}} [[Vichy France]]
* [[Vichy French Air Force]]
;{{flag|Nazi Germany}}
* ''[[Luftwaffe]]'' operated captured aircraft.
;{{flag|Kingdom of Italy}}
* ''[[Regia Aeronautica]]''
;{{LTU}}
* [[Lithuanian Air Force]] ordered 13 to 20 Moranes, but none were delivered.<ref name= "Botquin, p. 10."/>
;{{POL}}
* [[Polish Air Force]] ordered 160 aircraft, but none were delivered,<ref name= "Botquin, p. 12.">Botquin 1967, p. 12.</ref> due to the fall of Poland.
* [[Polish Air Forces in France and Great Britain|Polish Air Force in exile in France]] operated at least 91 aircraft in several training and combat units:
** ''[[Groupe de Chasse de Varsovie]]''
** [[Section no.1 Łaszkiewicz GC III/2]]
** [[Section no.2 Pentz GC II/6]]
** [[Section no.3 Sulerzycki GC III/6]]
** [[Section no.4 Bursztyn GC III/1]]
** [[Section no.5 Brzeziński GC I/2]]
** [[Section no.6 Goettel GC II/7]]
** [[Jasionowski Koolhoven Flight]]
** [[DAT section Krasnodębski GC I/55]] based at [[Châteaudun]] and [[Étampes]]
** [[DAT section Skiba GC I/55]]
** [[DAT section Kuzian]] based at [[Nantes]]
** [[DAT section Opulski]] based at [[Romorantin]]
** [[DAT section Krasnodębski]] based at [[Toulouse|Toulouse-Francazal]]
** [[Centre d'Instruction d'Aviation de Chasse at Montpellier]]
** [[Ecole de Pilotage No 1 (Chasse) at Etampes]]
** [[Ecole de Pilotage at Avord]]
** [[Centre d'Instruction at Tours]]
** [[Depot d'Instruction de l'Aviation Polonaise]] at [[Lyon-Bron]]
** [[Montpellier Flight]]
;{{SUI}}
* [[Swiss Air Force]]
;{{TUR}}
* [[Turkish Air Force]] received 45 Moranes.<ref name= "Botquin, p. 12."/> At least 30 of them were originally intended for shipment to Poland and had Polish [[stencilling]].
;{{flag|Kingdom of Yugoslavia}}
* [[Royal Yugoslav Air Force]] ordered 25 aircraft, but the fall of France precluded their delivery<ref>Brindley 1971, p. 46.</ref>

==Specifications (M.S.406 C1)==
[[File:Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 C1 3-view.svg|thumb|Morane-Saulnier MS 406 C1]]
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=''The Morane Saulnier 406'' <ref name="BotquinMonograf">{{cite book |last1=Botquin |first1=Gaston |title=M.S. 406 |date=1996 |publisher=AJ-Press |location=Gdańsk, Poland |isbn=83-86208-46-5 |language=pl |pages=48, 50, 53, 55, 64}}</ref>
|prime units?=met
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew=1
|length m=8.17
|span m=10.61
|height m=3.25
|wing area sqm=16
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil=
|empty weight kg=1895
|gross weight kg=2540
|max takeoff weight kg=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Hispano-Suiza 12Y-31]]
|eng1 type=V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine
|eng1 kw=
|eng1 note=<br />
::::{{cvt|830|hp|order=flip}} for take-off at 2,520 rpm at sea level
::::{{cvt|760|hp|order=flip}} rated power at 2,400 rpm at sea level
::::{{cvt|860|hp|order=flip}} rated power at 2,400 rpm at {{cvt|3150|m}}
:::::*'''Specific fuel consumption:''' {{cvt|0.265|kg/kWh|lb/hph}}
:::::*'''Specific oil consumption:''' {{cvt|0.008|kg/kWh|lb/hph}}

|prop blade number=3
|prop name=variable-pitch propeller
|prop dia m=3
|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia note=<br />
::[[Chauvière]] 351M (MS 406 C1)
::[[Ratier]] 1607 {{cvt|3.1|m|ftin|0}} diameter (MS 406 C1)
::[[Hispano-Suiza]] 270 {{cvt|3.1|m|ftin|0}} diameter (D 3801)
::[[Śmiglo]] WiSz 61P {{cvt|3|m|ftin|0}} diameter (MSv Mörkö Morane)

<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed kmh=452
|max speed note=at {{cvt|2000|m}}
::::{{cvt|483|km/h|mph kn}} at {{cvt|4000|m}}
::::{{cvt|490|km/h|mph kn}} at {{cvt|4500|m}}
::::{{cvt|476|km/h|mph kn}} at {{cvt|6000|m}}
::::{{cvt|440|km/h|mph kn}} at {{cvt|8000|m}}
|cruise speed kmh=
|stall speed kmh=160
|stall speed note= without flaps
::::{{cvt|135|km/h|mph kn}} with flaps
|never exceed speed kmh=
|minimum control speed kmh=
|range km=1100
|range note=at 66% power
|combat range km=720
|ferry range km=
|endurance=2 hours 20 minutes 30 seconds (average combat mission)
|ceiling m=9400
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|climb rate ms=
|time to altitude=<br />
::::{{cvt|2000|m}} in 2 minutes 32 seconds
::::{{cvt|4000|m}} in 5 minutes 16 seconds
::::{{cvt|4500|m}} in 6 minutes 16 seconds
::::{{cvt|6000|m}} in 9 minutes 3 seconds
::::{{cvt|8000|m}} in 14 minutes 52 seconds
::::{{cvt|9000|m}} in 21 minutes 37 seconds
|wing loading kg/m2=154
|fuel consumption kg/km=
|power/mass={{cvt|2.95|kg/kW}}
|thrust/weight=

|more performance=
* '''Take-off run to {{cvt|8|m|0}}:''' {{cvt|270|m}}
* '''Landing run from {{cvt|8|m|0}}:''' {{cvt|340|m}}
<!--
        Armament
-->
|guns=<br>
:* 1 × {{convert|20|mm|in|abbr=on|3}} [[Hispano-Suiza HS.404]] cannon
:* 2 × {{convert|7.5|mm|in|abbr=on|3}} [[MAC 1934]] machine guns
|bombs=
}}

==See also==
{{aircontent
|related=
<!-- * [[Morane-Saulnier M.S. 450]] -->
|similar aircraft=
* [[Dewoitine D.520]]
* [[Hawker Hurricane]]
* [[Heinkel He 112]]
|sequence=
|lists=
* [[List of interwar military aircraft]]
* [[List of aircraft of the French Air Force during World War II]]
* [[List of World War II military aircraft of Germany]]
* [[List of aircraft of World War II]]
|see also=
}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography===
* {{cite book |last=Belcarz |first=Bartłomiej |title=Morane MS 406C1, Caudron Cyclone CR 714C1, Bloch MB 151/152 |series=Polskie Skrzydła 2 |publisher=Stratus |location=Sandomierz, Poland |year=2004 |language=pl |isbn=83-89450-21-6}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Bordenave |first1=Robert |last2=Persyn |first2=Lionel |name-list-style=amp |title=Le Morane 406 vu du sol |trans-title=The Morane 406 Seen From the Ground |journal=Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire |issue=98 |date=May 2001 |pages=24–29 |language=fr |issn=1243-8650}}
* {{cite book |last=Botquin |first=Gaston |title=M.S.406 |series=Monografie Lotnicze No. 28 |publisher=AJ-Press |location=Gdańsk, Poland |year=1996 |language=pl |isbn=83-86208-46-5}}
* {{cite magazine |last=Botquin |first=Gaston |title=The Morane Saulnier 406 |magazine=Aircraft in Profile |publisher=Profile Publications Ltd. |location=Leatherhead, Surrey, UK |year=1967}}
* {{cite journal |last=Botquin |first=Gaston |title=L'épopée du Morane Saulnier 406, partie 2: Autopsie d'un chasseur |trans-title=The Epic of the Morane Saulnier 406, Part 2: Anatomy of a Fighter |journal=Le Fana de l'Aviation |issue=101 |date=April 1978 |pages=22–29 |language=fr |issn=0757-4169}}
* {{cite journal |last=Botquin |first=Gaston |title=L'épopée du Morane Saulnier 406, partie 3: objectif industriel: 1000 avions... |trans-title=The Epic of the Morane Saulnier 406, Part 3: Industrial Objective: 1000 Aircraft... |journal=Le Fana de l'Aviation |issue=102 |date=May 1978 |pages=25–27 |language=fr |issn=0757-4169}}
* {{cite journal |last=Botquin |first=Gaston |title=L'épopée du Morane Saulnier 406, partie 4: un bon chasseur pour la "Drôle de Guerre" |trans-title=The Epic of the Morane Saulnier 406, Part 4: A Good Fighter for the Phony War |journal=Le Fana de l'Aviation |issue=103 |date=June 1978 |pages=19–25 |language=fr |issn=0757-4169}}
* {{cite journal |last=Botquin |first=Gaston |title=L'épopée du Morane Saulnier 406, partie 10: trop tard, le constructeur essaye de donner un second souffle à son 406 |trans-title=The Epic of the Morane Saulnier 406, Part 10: Too Late, the Manufacturer Trying to Breathe More Life into the 406 |journal=Le Fana de l'Aviation |issue=109 |date=December 1978 |pages=20–23 |language=fr |issn=0757-4169}}
* {{cite book |last1=Breffort |first1=Dominique |last2=Jouineau |first2=André |title=French Aircraft from 1939 to 1942, Vol.2: From Dewoitine to Potez |publisher=Histoire & Collections |location=Paris, France |year=2005 |isbn=2-915239-49-5}}
* {{cite book |last=Brindley |first=John F. |title=French Fighters of World War Two |publisher=Hylton Lacy Publishers Ltd. |location=Windsor, UK |year=1971 |isbn=0-85064-015-6}}
* {{cite book |last=Comas |first=Mathieu |title=Le Morane-Saulnier MS 406 |series=Historie de l'Aviation No. 5 |publisher=Lela Presse |location=Boulogne-sur-Mer, France |year=1998 |language=fr |isbn=2-9509485-4-5}}
* {{cite book |last=Comas |first=Mathieu |title=Le Morane-Saulnier MS 406 |edition=2nd |publisher=Lela Presse |location=Boulogne-sur-Mer, France |year=2002 |language=fr |isbn=2-914017-18-9}}
* {{cite book |last=Comas |first=Mathieu |title=Additif & correctif à l'ouvrage Le Morane-Saulnier MS 406 |publisher=Lela Presse |location=Boulogne-sur-Mer, France |year=2002 |language=fr}}
* {{cite book |last=Green |first=William |title=War Planes of the Second World War, Volume One: Fighters |publisher=Macdonald & Co. (Publishers) Ltd. |location=London |year=1960 |edition=Tenth impression 1972 |isbn=0-356-01445-2}}
* {{cite book |last1=Green |first1=William |last2=Swanborough |first2=Gordon |title=The Complete Book of Fighters |publisher=Smithmark |location=New York |year=1994 |isbn=0-8317-3939-8}}
* {{cite magazine |last=Gunti |first=Peter |title=Neutral Warriors: The Morane Saulnier MS.406 in Swiss Service |magazine=Air Enthusiast |issue=43 |date=1991 |pages=10–17 |issn=0143-5450}}
* {{cite magazine |last=Gunti |first=Peter |title=Alpine Avenger |magazine=Air Enthusiast |issue=47 |date=September–November 1992 |pages=22–27 |issn=0143-5450}}
* {{cite book |last1=Keskinen |first1=Kalevi |last2=Stenman |first2=Kari |last3=Niska |first3=Klaus |title=Hävittäjä-ässät (Finnish Fighter Aces) |publisher=Tietoteos |location=Espoo, Finland |year=1978 |language=fi |isbn=951-9035-37-0}}
* {{cite book |last1=Keskinen |first1=Kalevi |last2=Stenman |first2=Kari |last3=Niska |first3=Klaus |title=Morane-Saulnier M.S. 406 / Caudron C.714, Suomen Ilmavoimien Historia 4 |publisher=Tietoteos |location=Helsinki, Finland |year=1975 |language=fi |isbn=951-9035-19-2}}
* {{cite book |last=Jackson |first=Robert |title=Aircraft of World War II: Development – Weaponry – Specifications |publisher=Amber Books |location=Enderby, Leicester, UK |year=2003 |isbn=1-85605-751-8}}
* {{cite book |last=Jackson |first=Robert |title=Fighter! The Story of Air Combat 1936–1945 |publisher=Artur Barker Limited |location=London |year=1979 |isbn=0-213-16717-4}}
* {{citation | last1 = Marchand | first1 = Patrick | first2 = Junko | last2 = Takamori | title = Morane-Saulnier MS 406 | series = Les Ailes de Gloire | volume = 7r | isbn = 2-914403-23-2 | language = fr | date = 2005 | edition = 2nd revised | publisher = les Éditions d'Along | location = Le Muy, France | orig-date = 2002 }}
* {{cite journal |last1=Mihaily|first1=Edouard|last2=Leyvastre|first2=Pierre|name-list-style=amp|title=Morane Saulnier M.S. 435, il a failli être le T-6 français en 1940...|journal=Le Fana de l'Aviation |date=May 1976 |issue=78 |pages=24–28 |issn=0757-4169 |language=fr|trans-title=Morane Saulnier M.S. 435: It was almost the French T-6 in 1940}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Mombeek|first1=Eric |title=Les trésors de Cazaux |journal=Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire|date=May 2001 |issue=98 |pages=44–47 |trans-title=The Treasures of Cazaux|language=fr |issn=1243-8650}}
* {{cite book |last=Neulen |first=Hans Werner |title=In the Skies of Europe: Air Forces Allied to the Luftwaffe 1939–1945 |publisher=The Crowood Press |location=Ramsbury, Marlborough, UK |year=2000 |isbn=1-86126-799-1}}
* {{cite book |last=Pelletier |first=Alain |title=French Fighters of World War II |publisher=Squadron/Signal Publications, Inc. |location=Carrollton, TX |year=2002 |isbn=0-89747-440-6}}
* {{cite book |last=Ries |first=Karl |title=Deutsche Luftwaffe über der Schweiz 1939–1945 (German Luftwaffe over Switzerland 1939–1945) |publisher=Verlag Dieter Hoffmann |location=Mainz, Germany |year=1978 |language=de |isbn=3-87341-022-2}}
* {{cite book |last1=Stenman |first1=Kari |last2=Keskinen |first2=Kalevi |title=Finnish Aces of World War 2 |series=Aircraft of the Aces 23 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |location=Oxford, UK |year=1998 |isbn=1-85532-783-X}}
* {{cite book |last=Wheeler |first=Barry C. |title=The Hamlyn Guide to Military Aircraft Markings |publisher=Chancellor Press |location=London |year=1992 |isbn=1-85152-582-3}}
* {{cite magazine |last=Young |first=Edward M. |title=France's Forgotten Air War |magazine=[[Air Enthusiast]] |date=1984|issue=25 |pages=22–33 |issn=0143-5450}}

==Further reading==
{{Commons category|Morane-Saulnier MS.406|MS.406 Morane-Saulnier M.S.406}}
* {{cite journal |last=Frachet |first=André |date=19 November 1936|title=L'avions Morans-Saulnier "405 et 430" |journal=Les Ailes|issue=805 |pages=10|url=http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k65552461/f10 }}
*{{cite book |last1=Lacaze |first1=Henri |last2=Lherbert |first2=Claude |title=Morane Saulnier: ses avions, ses projets |date=2013 |publisher=Lela Presse |location=Outreau, France |isbn= 978-2914017701 |language=fr| trans-title=Morane Saulnier: Their Aircraft and Projects}}

{{Morane-Saulnier aircraft}}
{{Flug- und Fahrzeugwerke Altenrhein aircraft}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Low-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:1930s French fighter aircraft]]
[[Category:Morane-Saulnier aircraft|MS.406]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1935]]
[[Category:Aircraft with retractable conventional landing gear]]
[[Category:Single-engined piston aircraft]]