Morane-Saulnier M.S.406

I do not have an answer to George's question about diving speed but I would guess the M.S.406 was not a great performer in this area.
According to Gaston Botquin, the author of Profile Publications No.147, the M.S.406 was the least effective French fighter in 1940 when compared to the H75, D.520 or Bloch 152.
Some pilot notes:
"She was an easy to fly, maneuverable and reliable plane."
"Their fighter was unable to intercept any high flying spy plane as the Dornier Do215B-1."
"They (pilots) experienced many difficulties to catch any German bomber which flew at lower altitudes because they flew faster than the Morane can do, even the Do 17. The only bomber she can catch was the Junker Ju 87 Stuka."
"They were completely outclassed by the Messerschmitt Bf 109E fighter."
"A lot of French pilots had lost their precious life because this plane was all, except a true fighter plane."
"The Morane 406, with her uncomfortable range and her slow cruising speed, was too much at risk in that country, directly under threat of the German aircrafts."
Just a couple corrections I would like to make in the specifications up above:
1. The wing area of the M.S.406 is 172.223 sq. ft.
2. At 2,450 kg. (5,401 lb.), range was 466 mls.
on 88 gallons of internal fuel.

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How fast could the 406 Dive? I had some tell me it would shake at around 300mph and would break apart in a dive before it reached 400mph. And others tell me it could dive over 450mph. I would love to know the truth but I can never find any information on it.

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This was somewhat comparable to the Hawker Hurricane, in that both were transitional designs, with airframes that were partially metal-covered and partially fabric-covered. However, the Hurricane had markedly better performance and firepower. The Finns, who enjoyed rather limited access to modern aircraft, acquired a considerable number of these fighters through their German allies, and seem to have liked them well enough, though apparently not so well as they did the Brewster Buffalo. The Finns seem to have done pretty well with these aircraft, rather better than the French did. But then, the Finns seem to have done pretty well with all the aircraft they managed to get, no matter how mediocre.

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During the phony war between Sept. 3, 1939 and May 10, 1940, the French "Armee de l'Air" were unable to fly their Morane fighters during the winter due to lack of heating for the wing-mounted, low muzzle velocity, 7.5mm machine guns. They had also been in the process of converting from the MS406 to the Bloch 152 and the Dewoitine D520. As a result the MS406 was usually sent to attack German armored columns but its liquid-cooled engine was then vulnerable to anti-aircraft fire. The French lost about 300 MS 406 fighters during the Battle of France including 150 to Luftwaffe aircraft and anti-aircraft fire. The remainder were lost in accidents or damage during airfield evacuations during the German advance. The aircraft was underpowered compared to the Bf109E, it lacked armor protection for the pilot, and had unreliable radio equipment. Nevertheless it was easy to fly with excellent maneuverability and could easily outturn a Bf109E due to its lower wing loading. Its greatest successes were against the Bf110 and Ju88 formations, although victories over the Bf109 could also be had depending on the pilot's skill.
This information taken from "French Fighters of World War II" (Squadron /Signal Publications book by Alain Pelletier, dated 2002).

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