Morane-Saulnier Alcyon

Morane-Saulnier Alcyon
Country	France
Type	Basic trainer
First flight	1949
Built	208

The Morane-Saulnier Alcyon (en: Kingfisher) is a two or three-seat basic training monoplane designed and built in France by Morane-Saulnier.

Source: Morane-Saulnier Alcyon on Wiki

Morane-Saulnier MS.733 Alcyon Walk Around
Photographer	Unknow
Localisation	Unknow
Photos	27

Morane-Saulnier MS.733 01

Morane-Saulnier MS.733 02

Morane-Saulnier MS.733 03

Morane-Saulnier MS.733 05

Morane-Saulnier MS.733 04

Morane-Saulnier MS.733 06

Morane-Saulnier MS.733 07

Morane-Saulnier MS.733 08

Morane-Saulnier MS.733 09

Click on a photo and use the mouse scroll to view all photos

Wait, Searching Morane-Saulnier Alcyon for you…

MS733 Walk Around
Photographer	Unknow
Localisation	Unknow
Photos	43

MS733

General Characteristics

The Morane-Saulnier MS.733 Alcyon (Kingfisher) is a French three-seat, low-wing cantilever monoplane designed in the post-WWII era to serve as a basic trainer for the French Air Force (Armée de l’Air) and Naval Aviation (Aéronavale). It replaced older biplanes like the Stampe SV.4. The MS.733 featured a retractable main landing gear and was designed to be robust and stable, suitable for flight training. Although primarily a trainer, a variant was later modified for the Counter-Insurgency (COIN) role and saw action during the Algerian War and with the Cambodian Air Force. Its design allowed for an instructor, a pupil, and a second pupil/observer.

Property	Typical Value (MS.733 Production Model)
Role	Basic Trainer, Gunnery Trainer, COIN (Counter-Insurgency)
National Origin	France
Manufacturer	Morane-Saulnier
First Flight (MS.733)	April 16, 1951
In Service (France)	1952–1978 (Civilian use until 1978)
No. Built	~205 (production aircraft)
Crew	3 (Instructor, Pupil, Observer/Second Pupil)
Length	9.32 m (30 ft 7 in)
Wingspan	11.28 m (37 ft 0 in)
Max Takeoff Weight	1,750 kg (3,858 lb)

Powerplant and Performance

Engine: 1 x Potez 6D-02 6-cylinder air-cooled, inverted inline piston engine.
Power Output: 179 kW (240 hp).
Propeller: 2-bladed variable-pitch propeller.
Maximum Speed: 260 km/h (162 mph).
Cruise Speed: 230 km/h (143 mph).
Range (Ferry): ~900 km (560 miles).
Service Ceiling: 4,800 m (15,750 ft).
Key Feature: Was well-equipped for the era with full IFR instrumentation (VOR-ILS, ADF, VHF radio, etc.), making it cost-effective for navigation and instrument flying training compared to twin-engine aircraft.

Armament and Variants

Standard Armament: Unarmed in its primary basic trainer role.
Armament (MS.733A COIN/Gunnery Trainer): Certain Air Force trainers were modified for combat and gunnery training, including:
- 2 x 7.5 mm MAC 1934/M39 machine guns (wing-mounted).
- Underwing hardpoints capable of carrying Matra rocket rails (e.g., four SERAM T10 heavy rockets) or 50 kg (110 lb) bombs.
Operational History: Served the French Air Force and Navy throughout the 1950s and 60s. The armed MS.733A variant was deployed in the ground support role during the Algerian War (1956–1959). Exported models, notably to Cambodia and Morocco, also saw COIN duty.