The MORANE SAULNIER 406 in the Armée de l'Air, the Aéronautique Navale and with the Free French. Volume II

Histoire de l'Aviation No. 51

Since 1998 and the first work on the Morane 406 published by Lela Presse, numerous discoveries have made a new publication essential. Proof of this lies in the sheer volume of this study, which required splitting it into two tomes even though it is devoted solely to the aircraft in French markings. The list of contributors also illustrates the enthusiasm generated by the project, each one contributing photographs or documents to make it as complete as possible. Developed in the particular context of the second half of the 1930s, this aircraft featured numerous innovations, to such a degree that it can be described as a forerunner. Its development, very — or too — drawn out over time, has been detailed thanks to the discovery of previously unknown reports. Unthinkable until recently, the archives of the Armée de l'Air and documents obtained from pilots have made it possible to recount virtually every mission from 10 May to 25 June 1940. Through these contributions, we hope that this two-volume work will delight both technical enthusiasts and those more interested in operational activity. Sometimes coming from unexpected sources, all these discoveries confirmed one thing: there are still more to be found.

This second volume totals 384 pages, more than 600 photographs, plans and drawings as well as 21 colour profiles by Éric Schwartz