Morane-Saulnier MS-406C.1 Hi-Tech

In 1934, the French Air Force (Armée de l'Air) launched a competition for a monoplane fighter with a top speed of 450 km/h and an armament of one or two 20 mm cannons.

The Morane-Saulnier MS-405C.1 won the competition. Only 16 of this version were built, and production was subsequently switched to a modified version, the MS-406C.1.

It was powered by an H-S 12Y.31 engine and armed with a cannon firing through the propeller hub and two machine guns in the wings. A total of 1,064 aircraft were produced, including export versions. At the start of the war, the MS-406C.1 was the most widely used fighter aircraft in France.

It surpassed the German Bf 109D in performance but lagged behind the most advanced version, the Bf 109E. Units flying the MS-406 C.1 saw action not only in France, but also in North Africa and Indochina. French fighter planes flew the MS-406 C.1 from the beginning of the war until France's defeat.

Czechoslovakian and Polish pilots also flew it. The Moranes were also used by the Air Force of the Armée de l'Armistice. Some aircraft also served with the Air Force of the Free French Forces. Furthermore, the MS-406 C.1 was acquired and put into service by Turkey, Finland, and Switzerland. Due to the occupation of France, captured aircraft entered service with Germany, Italy, and Croatia. Finland purchased additional aircraft from Germany. Switzerland built the MS-406 C.1 under license and further developed it.

Plastic model kit

• Contains finely detailed resin parts and two photo-etched frets, one of which is pre-painted in color

Scale 1:32

unbuilt / unpainted

Paint and glue not included