[1948]

The easy model 1:72 MS 406 is now in stock. I like the Vichy markings.

[SkyBuffalo]

I like the one in Vichy markings, too. Here's the description I found :

Easy Model Platinum Collection 36329
MS.406 Display Model
Armee de l'Air EC 2/596, No.341, Lt.Hutter, Tong, Tonkin (Indochina), 1941

So, I guess any French plane in the Far East would have been in Vichy markings as of June 1940 when Germany invaded France and the Vichy government was set up.

So this plane, in 1941, would have been fighting the Japanese invasion of French Indochina in December of 1941? Or since it was Vichy, technichally on the Axis side, would it have been fighting the British in Malaya during that time? Anybody know the history on this one?

[1250ships]

The situation in French Indochina was very confused. When France fell the Japanese took advantage of the situation to force the French to close the Vietnamese ports that were being used to supply China in its war with Japan. There was some fighting involved but it was relatively minor and the French authorities effectively gave in to the Japanese demands. Japan was allowed to station troops in Indochina but did not replace the French administration or disarm the Vichy forces.

In October 1940 fighting broke out between the Vichy forces and Thailand. Thailand got the better of the French and there was air fighting between the Vichy forces equipped with nine Ms 406s and the Royal Thai Air Force with twenty five Curtiss Hawk 75Ns. Apparently the Thais won the air war and the ground fighting though the Vichy Navy did well at sea. Japan mediated an end to the conflict.

The Vichy government remained in administrative control until March 1945 when the Japanese took complete control of the territory and presumably disarmed the Vichy forces. The armed forces might have been disarmed sooner than that- I know the French light cruiser that was the flagship of the colonial fleet was disarmed at Saigon in December 1941.

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by SkyBuffalo

I like the one in Vichy markings, too. Here's the description I found :

Easy Model Platinum Collection 36329
MS.406 Display Model
Armee de l'Air EC 2/596, No.341, Lt.Hutter, Tong, Tonkin (Indochina), 1941

So, I guess any French plane in the Far East would have been in Vichy markings as of June 1940 when Germany invaded France and the Vichy government was set up.

So this plane, in 1941, would have been fighting the Japanese invasion of French Indochina in December of 1941? Or since it was Vichy, technichally on the Axis side, would it have been fighting the British in Malaya during that time? Anybody know the history on this one?

Vichy MS 406s saw action against the RAF in Syria and there were also some MS 406s stationed in Madagascar.

[ZS-VAN]

Pictures anyone?

[leeG]

Originally Posted by ZS-VAN

Pictures anyone?

Go to the modelrectifier web site and click on the EasyModel logo.

[Cruver Collecter]

Well,,, I think we are all missing the real issue here, and that issue would be. Why hasn't somebody like Hobby Master put out a nice looking MS 406 in 1/48th scale (Yes, and in 1/72nd scale too, do not want to ruffle any feathers.). Ah now that would make a cool looking model,,, want one in the markings for Adj Pierre Le Gloan, looks pretty cool. Would have to have one of the Vichy ones out of Syria and definitely one of the Indo China MS 406s with the all red tail. Finally I would want a Finnish one for WO Oiva Tuominen's markings (He racked up 15 victories in a MS 406). Not to terribly keen on the MS 406 in RAF colors, but would probably snap one up. Of course I am still holding out for Curtiss P-36/Hawk 75, Fokker DXXI, Fiat G 50, MC 200, Polikarpov I-16 and the list goes on,

[Cruver Collecter]

Ok, back to the MS 406. What I would like to see in the model is the landing gear done right. It wheels definitely had an odd angle with upper portion of the wheel actually angled inward. Makes you wonder what kind of tire wear you would get on it. I would also like to see the support strut on the horizontal stabilizer, something that was missed on the IXO version. The MS 406 also had two different exhaust layouts, one with just the exposed exhaust stubs and the other had this odd shaped faring extending downward along the side of the cowling. The MS 406 kind of reminds me of the Hawker Hurricane in some aspects. With the rear portion still fabric you kind of a have a mesh of the old and the new for that time period.

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by TopHat

Okay, Cruver, you stubborn so and so .... back to the topic of models....

Cool, my next topic was going to tail wheel versus landing skid. pros and cons.

[Epapazian]

Originally Posted by Cruver Collecter

Ok, back to the MS 406. What I would like to see in the model is the landing gear done right. It wheels definitely had an odd angle with upper portion of the wheel actually angled inward. Makes you wonder what kind of tire wear you would get on it. I would also like to see the support strut on the horizontal stabilizer, something that was missed on the IXO version. The MS 406 also had two different exhaust layouts, one with just the exposed exhaust stubs and the other had this odd shaped faring extending downward along the side of the cowling. The MS 406 kind of reminds me of the Hawker Hurricane in some aspects. With the rear portion still fabric you kind of a have a mesh of the old and the new for that time period.

If I remember correctly, the MS 406 also had a retractable radiator. this would pose a problem for any diecast maker offering the wheels up and down option. Which way do you position the radiator?