¹⁄72

RS Models have announced that four of their kits are already available. The kits are based on the French MS-406 fighter but company have provided a wide range of users markings and variants: French, Polish, Swiss, German, Finland or Croatian.

Morane D-3801
Catalogue number: 92094

Prior to the Franco-German Armistice, the M.S.412, an improved version of the M.S.406, was under development primarily to fulfil a Swiss requirement. As an interim development aircraft, the twelfth pre-series M.S.405 had been fitted with the more powerful Hispano-Suiza 12Y45 engine and flown as the M.S.411, but a prototype of the M.S.412 with the still more powerful HS 12Y51 engine was not completed in France, the programme continuing in Switzerland as the D-3801. Flown for the first time in October 1940, the D-3801 had an HS 12Y51 rated at 1,050hp for take-off, a fixed radiator bath similar to that developed for the M.S.410 and the same armament as that of the D-3800. Although protracted teething troubles were suffered by the Saurer-built HS 12Y51 engine, series production of the D-3801 was undertaken by the Eidgenossisches Flugzeugwerke, the Dornier-Werke AG (Doflug) and SWS, deliveries commencing in 1941 and continuing until 1945, and a total of 207 being manufactured. These were augmented by a further 17 built in 1947-48 from spare assemblies remaining from the main production run. After withdrawal from first-line service, some D-3801s remained in use as advanced trainers and target- tugs until 1959.
Product page.

Morane Saulnier MS.406 Vichy
Catalogue number: 92114
Product page.

Morane Saulnier MS.406 France 1940
Catalogue number: 92118
Product page.

Morane Saulnier MS.406 French Navy/ D-3800
Catalogue number: 92119
Product page.

The M.S. 406 was the most numerous French fighter of the WWII. In April 1937 an order was placed for fifty M.S. 406s. The fourth pre-production M.S. 405, which has presented a new airplane MS.406, with the engine HS 12Y-31 first flew on 20 May 1938, the radiator for the engine was retractable.
Production began very slowly. The pace picked up during 1939. In all 1,074 M.S. 406s were completed before the collapse of France in June 1940.
At the outbreak of war, the aircraft was already obsolescent. Although sturdy and highly maneuverable, it was under-powered and weakly-armed when compared to its contemporaries. During the battle of France 300 Moranes were lost. The type was more successful in the hands of Swiss air forces who developed indigenous models.
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. The Finland purchased additional M.S.406s and a few M.S.410 from the Germans.

All the kits described above have the same plastic sprues and the only dofference are painting schemes and decals provided in the box. All information and pictures published above were found on the RS Models website.


Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.