French in the FE

[Alex Smart]

Hello,

Has there been any info of late on the MS406's used in the far East by the French ?

I have read that they were originally for China, so what markings were they on on arrival in the FE ?

Some 17 MS406's were I beleive sent out there and were used by EC 2/595 (10) and EC 2/596 (7).

What became of these aircraft and their pilots ?

What markings were worn by the aircraft ?

Did the Japanese capture any or test any ?

Looking forward to more on these aircraft

Alex

[Graham Boak]

You need a recent (last year or two) issue of Aero Journal - if you look throught their back issue lists you should find it. From memory, the aircraft were intended for China but impounded. There was trouble with the armament, or lack of same. The most notable (to my knowledge) pilot was Pouyade, later of Normandie-Niemen. The Moranes flew with a red tail, and other Vichy markings.

There is also a recent French book dedicated to the Ms406 (possibly Lela Presse - Avion's publisher) and that is certain to have the information you need.

[Alex Smart]

Hello Graham,

Thanks for the info, where do i get hold of the magazine you mention , is it available in the UK ?

Alex

[Laurent Rizzotti]

In short:

the French Moranes were used in the Thai-French war in late 1940-early 1941 and participated in some air battles, scoring some victories.

Next event of date was in early 1942 when 2 or 3 were shot down in error in Hanoi area by Japanese fighters that mistook them for P-40.

No more activity until the end of the war. In March 1945 when the Japanese attacked French military bases all over Indochina, only some Potze remained flyable IIRC.

[Graham Boak]

You want issue 29. e-mail aeroeditions@free.fr However, I suspect that it is no longer available.

I believe that Midland Counties stock AJ in the UK. Again, given that the issue is nearly 3 years old, they may no longer have stocks.

The Franco-Thai air war was also covered in an old Air Enthusiast, I don't recall the number.

[bearoutwest]

Alex,
Try here for starters:
http://www.j-aircraft.com/research/G..._large_war.htm

...geoff

[Brian]

Hi Alex

I wrote about the French in Indo-China in 'Bloody Shambles' Volume I (with Chris Shores) many years ago - possibly needs to be updated. If you haven't got access to a copy let me know and I will photocopy and mail to you.

Cheers
Brian

[Alex Smart]

Hello,

Thanks to you all for the leads given.

From the old Profile number 147
"The Chinese ordered 12 Moranes (No. 1074 - 1085 ) in 1938and these were produced by SNCAO.
The aircraft reached Haiphong, but there they were seized to form Escadrille EC2, which fought against the Japanese and Thais in December 1940.
Despite the death of test pilot Mikenas in the MS405-01 on 8th December 1937 at Villacoublay, Lithuania ordered 13 aircraft ( Nos. 1074 - 86 ). They were never delivered."

I assume that the Lithuanian ones were the ones that were sent to the French in the Far East ?

So then what became of the last 1086, where did she go and what became of her ?

Thanks again

Alex

[JohnMacG6]

Alex,
if you can wait for it, the people at 'Avions' are planning a fairly massive tome on aviation in French Indo-China up to 1945. No publication date or price yet, they're still at the stage of appealling for reader's photos, etc, in the current issue of Avions.

[Alex Smart]

hello John,

Many thanks for the leader .

Will look out for the issue.

Alex