Morane-Saulnier MS.230

Morane-Saulnier MS.230
Country	France
Type	Elementary trainer
First flight	February 1929
Built	1000+

The Morane-Saulnier MS.230 aircraft was the main elementary trainer for the French Armée de l’Air throughout the 1930s. Almost all French pilots flying for the Armée de l’Air at the outbreak of World War II had had their earliest flight training in this machine. It was the equivalent of the Stearman trainer in the United States air services and the de Havilland Tiger Moth in the British Royal Air Force.

Source: Morane-Saulnier MS.230 on Wiki

Morane Saulnier MS-230 Walk Around
Photographer	Pavel Senk
Localisation	Unknow
Photos	26

Morane Saulnier MS-230 1

Morane Saulnier MS-230 2

Morane Saulnier MS-230 3

Morane Saulnier MS-230 4

Morane Saulnier MS-230 5

Morane Saulnier MS-230 6

Morane Saulnier MS-230 7

Morane Saulnier MS-230 8

Morane Saulnier MS-230 9

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

Wait, Searching Morane-Saulnier MS.230 for you…

The Standard of Interwar Training

The Morane-Saulnier MS.230 was the primary advanced trainer for the French Air Force throughout the 1930s. Known for its distinctive “parasol” wing—a single wing mounted above the fuselage on struts—it offered pilots excellent visibility and extremely stable handling. It was a rugged, versatile aircraft that felt just as comfortable performing aerobatics as it did training novice pilots for the transition to faster fighter aircraft.

Attribute	Standard Specification (MS.230)
Role	Advanced Trainer / Liaison
Crew	2 (Student and Instructor in tandem)
First Flight	February 1929
Powerplant	1 × Salmson 9Ab 9-cylinder air-cooled radial
Horsepower	230 hp (172 kW)
Maximum Speed	205 km/h (127 mph)
Service Ceiling	5,000 meters (16,400 ft)
Construction	Mixed (Metal frame with fabric covering)

Design and Engineering Features

Parasol Wing Design: The wing was swept back at a slight angle and mounted high above the fuselage. This specific geometry provided an inherently stable platform that was difficult to stall inadvertently, making it an ideal trainer.
Wide-Track Landing Gear: Unlike many contemporary aircraft, the MS.230 had a very wide and robust landing gear. This made it much easier to land on the grass airfields of the era without the risk of “ground looping.”
The Salmson Radial: The 9-cylinder Salmson engine was famous for its reliability and smooth power delivery, a critical factor for an aircraft that would see constant takeoffs and landings all day.
Visibility: Because the wing was perched high on struts, the instructor and student had an almost 360-degree view of the horizon and the ground, which was a significant safety advantage during busy flight school operations.

Operational History and Export

Massive Production: Over 1,000 MS.230s were built, a testament to its success. It trained an entire generation of French pilots who would later fly the Dewoitine D.520 and Morane-Saulnier MS.406 in WWII.
Combat Roles: During the Battle of France in 1940, some MS.230s were pressed into service for reconnaissance and liaison roles. Even after the armistice, they continued to serve with the Vichy French and the Luftwaffe as trainers.
Global Reach: The aircraft was highly popular abroad, exported to Belgium, Brazil, Greece, Portugal, and Switzerland. Many remained in service well into the 1950s.
Cinema Star: The MS.230 gained post-war fame in the movie The Blue Max (1966), where it was modified to resemble a WWI German fighter for the aerial stunt sequences.