Wartime Aircraft
of the Finnish Air Force

Morane-Saulnier MS406/410

by Jason Long


Thirty MS 406s were delivered from French stocks in the winter of 39-40 to LeLv 28 which flew its first combat missions with them in February '40. Only one was lost before the Winter War ended. Another 27 MS 406s and 410s were delivered in 1941 by the Germans. They were popular with their pilots, but less so with their mechanics as they were very difficult to maintain in the severe weather typical of a Finnish winter.

The Finns adapted the MS 406 to take the Soviet M-105P engine that was a much improved descendant of the HispanoSuiza 12Y normally fitted. This was more powerful and performance benefited greatly. Only 15 were converted before the end of the Continuation War, as the Msrks (Werewolf) Moraani, but deliveries commenced in June 1944. The Msrks Moraanis saw some use against the Germans in the Lappland War, but suffered no losses and made no claims. All surviving MS 406/410 aircraft were upgraded to Msrks Moraani standard by November of '45.

One source claims a total of 87 MS 406/410 aircraft were delivered, 11 of which were the improved MS 410 model. The MS 406 and its descendants claimed 121 kills during the Continuation War.

More WWII Aircraft of the Finnish Air Force

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