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Morane-Saulnier MS.406 Aces
The MS.406 was an important aircraft not only because it was built in larger numbers than any other French fighter of the period, but also because it was the first modern fighter in the Armée de l'Air inventory. Although comparable to the British Hurricane and early models of the German Bf 109, it was outclassed when flown against the more powerful, and faster, Bf 109E. With little or no protection (no armour or self-sealing tanks), the MS.406 sustained heavy losses during the Battle of France. Too lightly armed, and fitted with unreliable weaponry, the French fighter struggled to down German bombers. It therefore comes as no surprise that only a dozen French pilots became fully fledged aces on the type during this period, despite the aircraft being present in significant numbers. However a score of pilots, who bagged their very first kills at the controls of the MS.406, fought on after the fall of France, flying Dewoitine D.520s, Spitfires and even Soviet Yak-3s to attain ace status against both Allied and Axis opponents.
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Morane-Saulnier MS.406 Aces
The MS.406 was an important aircraft not only because it was built in larger numbers than any other French fighter of the period, but also because it was the first modern fighter in the Armée de l'Air inventory. Although comparable to the British Hurricane and early models of the German Bf 109, it was outclassed when flown against the more powerful, and faster, Bf 109E. With little or no protection (no armour or self-sealing tanks), the MS.406 sustained heavy losses during the Battle of France. Too lightly armed, and fitted with unreliable weaponry, the French fighter struggled to down German bombers. It therefore comes as no surprise that only a dozen French pilots became fully fledged aces on the type during this period, despite the aircraft being present in significant numbers. However a score of pilots, who bagged their very first kills at the controls of the MS.406, fought on after the fall of France, flying Dewoitine D.520s, Spitfires and even Soviet Yak-3s to attain ace status against both Allied and Axis opponents.
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Morane-Saulnier MS.406 Aces
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Morane-Saulnier MS.406 Aces

Morane-Saulnier MS.406 Aces

Overview

The MS.406 was an important aircraft not only because it was built in larger numbers than any other French fighter of the period, but also because it was the first modern fighter in the Armée de l'Air inventory. Although comparable to the British Hurricane and early models of the German Bf 109, it was outclassed when flown against the more powerful, and faster, Bf 109E. With little or no protection (no armour or self-sealing tanks), the MS.406 sustained heavy losses during the Battle of France. Too lightly armed, and fitted with unreliable weaponry, the French fighter struggled to down German bombers. It therefore comes as no surprise that only a dozen French pilots became fully fledged aces on the type during this period, despite the aircraft being present in significant numbers. However a score of pilots, who bagged their very first kills at the controls of the MS.406, fought on after the fall of France, flying Dewoitine D.520s, Spitfires and even Soviet Yak-3s to attain ace status against both Allied and Axis opponents.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781782003434
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date: 05/20/2014
Series: Aircraft of the Aces , #121
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 96
File size: 15 MB
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About the Author

Kari Stenman is the world's leading authority on the Finnish Air Force during World War 2, and has written or co-authored many books on the units and aircraft of this most interesting service. He has previously co-authored volumes for Osprey on Finnish Aces in the renowned Aircraft of the Aces series and on their leading fighter unit LeLv 24 for the Aviation Elite series. Christian-Jacques Ehrengardt has been the editor of leading French aerospace publication Aero Journal for a number of years. He had also written many books on French fighter aircraft and units in World War 2. This will be his first book for Osprey.

Chris Davey has illustrated more than 30 titles for Osprey's Aircraft of the Aces, Combat Aircraft and Elite Units series since 1994. Based in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, and one of the last traditional airbrush artists in the business, he has become the artist of choice for both World War 2 fighter types.
Born in 1945, Kari Stenman studied economics and was an import-export specialist until Finland's EU accession in 1995, when he turned his hobby of aviation history into a profession, founding a company to publish his research. He retired in 2009 but has continued to research and write about the Finnish air force. In over 50 years in this field, he has written more than 100 titles.
Chris Davey has illustrated more than 70 titles for Osprey's Aircraft of the Aces and Combat Aircraft series since 1994. Based in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, as one of the very last traditional airbrush artists in the business, he has become the company's illustrator of choice for both USAAF fighters and RAF subject matter, proving his undoubted skill when dealing with large aircraft subjects such as the Halifax, Sunderland, Lancaster, and Stirling.

Table of Contents

Introduction 6

Chapter 1 'The Best Fighter in the World' 7

Chapter 2 The Phoney War 10

Chapter 3 The Battle of France 18

Chapter 4 Under Vichy and the RAF 53

Chapter 5 The Winter War 60

Chapter 6 Stalemate War 74

Appendices 89

Colour Plates Commentary 92

Index 96

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