When there was a discussion fighter "Dewuatin D.520", many commentators spoke in that vein, that the Morane-Saulnier aircraft were no worse than the Dewoitine fighters. I would venture to make out this moment so, as much as possible.
To begin with, a little excursion into history, just pay tribute, because "Moran-Saulnier" has long ceased to exist. But since the contribution, made in aviation history, pretty big, recall. Why not?
The firm "Moran-Saulnier" was originally founded under the name Societe Anonyme des Aeroplanes Morane-Saulnier 10 October 1911 years by brothers Leon and Robert Moran and their friend Raymond Saulnier. Later the name was shortened to the familiar "Moran-Saulnier"
The company's aircraft took an active part in the battles of the First World War. Naturally, on the side of the Entente.
And in 1914 year Robert Saulnier went down in aviation history as the first machine gun with a synchronizer to be installed on an aircraft. The planes were Morane-Saulnier G models, machine gun was "Hotchkiss" caliber 7,9 mm. Like this, properly, it all started.
During the existence of "Moran-Saulnier" engineers and designers of the company have developed more than a hundred aircraft, including our hero - fighter MS.406, most frequently seen in the French Air Force until the defeat of France in World War II.
In May 1965 of the year, after the nationalization of the aviation industry in France, the mention of Morans and Saulnier has completely disappeared from its name, and the firm became Socata.
Now about fighters.
Morane-Saulnier MS.405
The story begins in the mid-30s of the last century, when all the leading countries began to develop fighters of the "new wave" - monoplane, equipped with liquid-cooled engines, with retractable landing gear and closed cab.
France is no exception, Furthermore, the founders of military aviation still tried to be at the forefront of military developments. And a competition was announced to create a promising fighter. With pretty serious parameters: the maximum speed should have been at least 450 km / h at an altitude of 4000 m, and armament - one or two cannons of caliber 20 mm plus machine guns.
History knows, that in the clash of five firms («Block» MB.150, «Dewoitine» D.513, «Loir» 250, «Moran-Sun» MS.405 i «Nieuport» Ni.160) defeated the plane "Moran-Saulnier". It is believed, that MS.405 was the most conservative project. AND, perhaps, not the best. But these are already aspects, since "Moran-Saulnier" celebrated the victory, which was followed by everyday work.
By design, the aircraft was absolutely not something advanced.. Almost the entire frame of the aircraft was made of duralumin profiles and steel pipes, and the skin of the wing and the front of the fuselage was made of material «tide» - plywood, glued to a thin aluminum sheet.
Powerplant - 12-cylinder V-shaped liquid-cooled engine «Hispano-Suiza» 12Ygrs (860 hp) with three-blade metal propeller «Shawie». There was a 20 mm cannon in the collapse of the engine cylinders. «Hispano-Suiza» S9. In addition to guns, the fighter had two wing-mounted machine guns with magazine-fed drum. The shops in the wing were located above the machine guns and therefore had to be hidden behind the fairings.
The gas tank has not been sealed, however, it was separated from the cockpit by a firewall. The pilot had no armor protection.
And then "Hispano-Suiza" offered to put another engine on the plane (modified) and screw. Motor «Hispano-Suiza» 12Ycrs with a reduction gear and a 27M Hispano-Suiza screw with a larger diameter (3 m) made the plane more interesting. Although I had to lengthen the landing gear due to a larger diameter screw, change, strengthening, fastening them and increasing the track.
Replacing the motor and propeller raised the speed to 482 kmh. And the order came to build a large series.
Morane-Saulnier MS.406
How MS.405 became MS.406? It is very simple. In fact, this is the same plane., just the motor was replaced again. On the MS.406 there was a motor «Hispano-Suiza» 12Y31, different from 12Ycrs new reducer (with the same gear ratio) and lower design height.
But according to the documents, it was supposedly another car.. Let's not argue.
The fact, what is MS.406, when it was developed, was a very advanced aircraft. But four years, that the French military department was trying to establish mass production, played a very cruel joke.
Four and a half years have passed since the assignment was issued, much has changed during this time, including potential opponents.
Britain put on stream in 1938 year "Hurricanes" and "Spitfires". If the Hurricane was, so to speak, almost equivalent to MS.406, then the second was superior to him. And the Germans by this time had a more perfect Bf.109Е.
Generally, I would state the fact that, that having good development, the French were categorically late with the production. Moreover, there was always not enough ... right, engines!
1938 year is year, when the French government started having problems with Mark Birkigt, founder of "Hispano-Suiza". The French government began nationalizing the entire aviation industry and Birkigt rushed back to Switzerland, which caused many problems for the French Air Force.
It got to the, that licensed "Hispano-Suiza" began to buy there, where they were released under license. for example, managed to negotiate with the Czechoslovakians, where "Hispano-Suizu" was produced at the factories "Avia". Ordered a lot, but got everything 80 pcs, after which Czechoslovakia was gone.
Tried, by the way, to purchase M-100A motors from the USSR, which were just "Hispano-Suizami", licensed, but the Russians turned their fingers at their temples and did not sell the motors.
Therefore, MS.406 was released slowly, and unevenly. There were other problems too, with a complete set of finished cars.
Surprisingly, but the plane "went in" at the pilots. The car turned out to be affordable even for a not very experienced pilot., forgave a lot. Low wing loading provided good horizontal maneuverability and acceptable landing speed.
But there were also negative moments.. Pilots noted insufficient engine power. Furthermore, due to engine overheating, it was difficult to operate it at maximum modes. The radiator system played a role, which did not close the blinds, and was pulled into the fuselage. To get the speed of order 450 kmh, it was required to retract the radiator, improving aerodynamics, but the motor was overheating. A kind of vicious circle.
Machine guns, unheated, calmly froze in the wings at a height of more 4 thousand meters. Saint-Exupery wrote about this. Machine gun ammunition was depressingly small, Besides, getting to the store was extremely difficult.
Well, the lack of armor did not inspire. So, that in combat units they began to independently equip aircraft with armored backs from old fighters.
First MS.406 entered military service in North Africa, but really their European went into battle. By September 1939, when Germany attacked France, its Air Force numbered 557 units MS.406.
And even if not often, but in the period «Of a strange war» there were battles with the Germans, in which it became possible to understand the combat value of MS.406 as a fighter.
clear, that the main opponent for MS.406 was the Messerschmitt Bf.109E. The German outnumbered the Frenchman in speed (on 75-80 kmh), so in the rate of climb. And with weapons, the 109th was much better.: one more 20mm cannon.
Ammunition seemed to be better from the French: HS 404 was completed 60 shells, and MG-FF on «Messerschmitt» – 15 in a carob store or 30 in the drum. But the German was firing twice as many shells per second, so it is not such an advantage in general and in practice.
There were also pluses. MS.406 had a smaller turning radius, allowing to successfully fight on the horizontals, but the war has already shown, that the horizontal is outgoing. So that, realizing its advantage on the vertical, Germans very successfully shot down MS.406.
The French Air Force did not lose many planes during the "strange war" (less 20), but it became clear, that a real war will start - and the losses will be much more serious.
It was required to replace MS.406 with something really capable of withstanding German fighters (the same "Dewuatin" D.520 or "Flea" MB.151), but alas!, the French military department turned out to be so unable to adequately respond to the current situation ...
It got to the ridiculous: how the MS.406 fighter was unable to fight the bombers! Yes, the Frenchman somehow coped with the slow Ju-87В and Non-111, but the Do-17Z and Ju-88 easily left.
It seems that there was an option, and was with 1937 of the year, when Moran-Saulnier proposed project MS.540 to the Air Force, actually the same MS.405, but with a metal semi-monocoque fuselage, slightly modified wing and reinforced armament (cannon and four machine guns).
However, the motor remained the same old 12Ycrs, and let him accelerate the plane to speed on tests 557 kmh, MS.406 nothing could save.
And the Air Force chose Dewoitine D.520. They did not give up at Moran-Saulnier, and prepared two more MS.406 modernization projects, under the names MS.409 and MS.410.
The first was to put on MS.406 a radiator from MS.540. The second involved not only replacing the radiator, but also the modernization of the wing with the placement of four MAC machine guns 1934 M39 with tape feed and ammunition up to 500 rounds on the barrel. The machine guns were equipped with heating and a new electric pneumatic release system.. Plus, new aerodynamic improvements gave an increase in speed by 30-50 kmh.
The Air Force considered the work successful and ordered 500 machines. But the beginning of the German offensive put the final end to all ambitions and a real war began..
Part of the changes, slated for MS.410, implemented on the latest series MS.406, released in the same year, or on earlier machines directly at the front. This is a new sight and an enlarged armored back. At field airfields, a system for heating machine guns and a cockpit with exhaust gases was installed, rear view mirrors.
It was clear to everyone, what are these half measures, but it was necessary to fight at least with such machines, therefore, production and upgrades continued.
Only in March 1940 of the year, when it was possible to build D.520 and expand the release of MB.151 and MB.152, MS.406 is finally discontinued.
Thanks to the efforts of French officials from the Ministry of Defense, MS.406 became the record holder for mass participation among French fighters: together with MS.405 they were built 1098 pieces.
This aircraft continued to be the main fighter of the French Air Force and in May, when the Germans went on the offensive. In combat units and reserves, there were then about 800 MS.406, yet 135 based in the colonies. A total of 1 May there was 1070 fighters MS.405 and MS.406.
How MS.406 fought?
Total «Morans» shot down about a third of the planes, lost by the Germans in the French campaign. But this is rather due to the number, than because of the high level of the machine. Plus the maneuverability of the car helped a little.
the, that in the list of aces of the French Air Force there are only two pilots, who fought on MS.406 (Le Gloan and Le Nigen s 11 confirmed and two unconfirmed victories for each), speaks volumes.
And the bulk of MS.406 was lost then, when someone from the staff came up with the golden idea of using fighters as attack aircraft. Efficiency MS.406, did not have a bomb suspension and outstanding weapons, in this capacity was small, and the losses are significant.
The successes achieved have generally cost MS.406 dearly.. About 150 MS.406 was shot down and approximately 100 lost on earth. Especially many planes were killed on the ground during the massive German raids. 10 May.
However, the fact, that of all French fighters, the MS.406 firmly held the lead in relative losses. One shot down MS.406 accounted for 2,5 enemy aircraft.
After the surrender of France, MS.406 fought in North Africa, Syria, French Indochina (Cambodia), Lebanon, Madagascar. Mostly their fate was to die in battles with the British Air Force., who actively developed the former French colonies.
Also MS.406 fought in the Finnish and Croatian air forces on the side of Germany. Besides, MS.406 ended up in Turkish, Finnish and Bulgarian Air Forces.
Switzerland has established its own production under license. The aircraft had the same 12Y31 engine with a retractable radiator., but differed in equipment and weapons (two Swiss machine guns caliber 7,49 mm with belt feed in the wings). The aircraft was produced under the brand name D-3800 and D-3801.
What can be said as an epitaph? It is worth agreeing, that MS.406 was a very good aircraft. On that moment, when was it designed, 1935 year.
But the frankly long development of production and the lack of normal modernization work on the car nullified all the positive aspects.
MS.406 turned out to be an airplane with no perspective, and anyway, it would have to be changed exactly at the turn 1940 of the year. But this is how the situation developed, that the plane was incapable of a serious confrontation with the more modern German and British (in colonies) aircraft.
But since it was released quite a lot, then MS.406 was forced to go into battle. Comparable to Soviet I-16, no matter how it looks.
Characteristics of the MS.406 fighter:
Wingspan, m: 10,61
Length, m: 8,13
Height, m: 2,71
wing area, m2: 17,10
Weight, kg
- empty aircraft: 1893
- normal take-off: 2470
Engine: 1 х Hispano-Suiza 12Y 31 x 860 HP.
full speed, kmh: 486
Cruising speed, kmh: 320
practical range, km: 900
Ckoropodemnost, m / min: 667
Service ceiling, m: 9850
weaponry: one 20 mm HS-404 cannon and two 7.5 mm MAC machine guns 34.
/Roman Skomorokhov, topwar.ru/
