Description
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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 Arme 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.
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.
Phoney War
Battle of France
Vichy Service
Winter War
Continuation War
APPENDICES - French Aces who made claims with the MS.406 - Finnish MS.406
Aces - Finnish Aces who made some claims with the MS.406 them - Colour
Plates captions
ABOUT THIS PRODUCT
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 Arme 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.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
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.
CONTENTS
Phoney War
Battle of France
Vichy Service
Winter War
Continuation War
APPENDICES - French Aces who made claims with the MS.406 - Finnish MS.406
Aces - Finnish Aces who made some claims with the MS.406 them - Colour
Plates captions
