M.S.406C1

Description

The M.S.406C1 is a rank French fighter with a battle rating of (AB), (RB), and (SB). It was introduced in Update 1.75 "La Résistance".

The MS.406C1 is a good general fighter for newer players (though, experienced pilots should not discount this aircraft). This aircraft has a good climb-rate, is manoeuvrable and retains energy allowing for repeated dive and climb situations. This aircraft performs its fighter role, but with having a Hispano 404 cannon installed, it can also take on the role of a bomber-hunter or soft-ground target attacker.

General info

Flight performance

Details

Survivability and armour

• No armour plating
• No armour glazing
• Critical components located at front of aircraft (fuel, pilot, engine, controls)

Modifications and economy

Armaments

Offensive armament

The M.S.406C1 is armed with:

• 1 x 20 mm Hispano 404 cannon, nose-mounted (60 rpg)
• 2 x 7.5 mm MAC 1934 machine guns, wing-mounted (300 rpg = 600 total)

The Hispano 404 is nose-mounted, firing out of the prop spinner while the two MAC 1934 are wing-mounted. If fired at the same time, the cannon will run out of ammunition before the machine guns will.

Usage in battles

The MS.406C1 retains its energy well and is best utilized for energy fighting or Boom & Zoom situations. This aircraft can be used for head-on attacks using its cannon, however, be careful as the MS.406C1 does not have any armour protection. It will be best to get a few bursts off at range and then manoeuvre out of the head-on. When using this aircraft in a bomber-hunter role, it is best to avoid flying towards the rear or sides of this aircraft as typically this is where most of the bomber's defensive weapons are pointed. It is best to come at the front of the bomber from either below or from above (make sure you have energy as if you are near stall speed, you will be an easy target for gunners) and make strafing shots and wait until you are out of gunner range to turn and attempt a second pass.

Manual Engine Control

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Retains energy well
• 20 mm Hispano 404 cannon
• Decent turn time, can almost catch its smoke trail without flaps
• Small target

Cons:

• Low ammo for both MG and cannon
• Controls lock up in high-speed dives above 480 km/h (300 mph)
• Only two flap positions, up and landing
• Prone to catching fire
• Difficult to do severe damage when autocannon is out of ammunition or reloading

History

The first modern fighter of WW2 France, and their most famous combat plane. A first-class aircraft, it was only inferior in performance in French pre-war service to the D.520. A total of 1,081 were built, more than any other French plane except the Potez 63. The prototype (the in-game M.S. 405) first flew in August 1935, becoming the first French fighter to break the 400 km/h limit. In 1937, it was advertised at the Brussels Air Show as "the best fighter plane in the world." The fourth prototype would be taken into production as the M.S. 406, with 600 aircraft in 12 units at the start of the war, having been taken into operational service in December 1938. During the war, the M.S. 406 proved a fair match for the German Bf. 109: 150 M.S. 406s were shot down in the Battle for France, against 191 confirmed and 89 probable kills by the same make of aircraft. Another hundred were destroyed on the ground. Finland also purchased 40 before the war.

Notable pilots

• 

  French ace pilot René Challe's first confirmed kill happened while flying a M.S.406 for the French Air Force.

• 

  Croatian ace pilot Cvitan Galić was killed in early 1944 when his M.S.406 was bombed during a strafing run just after he landed from a mission.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the M.S.406C1 from live.warthunder.com.

Videos

See also

Related development

• M.S.405C1
• M.S.410

External links

• [Ace Profile] Capitaine Pierre Le Gloan
• [Historical] The Saar Offensive
• [Wikipedia] Morane-Saulnier M.S.406
• Official data sheet - more details about the performance