- Yes
- No
caid’s suggestion #185
I would like to suggest an interesting Swiss fighter of the Early WW2. the Morane D.3800 (model 1940)
the Morane D.3800 was the First WW2 Swiss aircraft that was produced locally. based on the Morane Saulnier MS.406, it used the stronger wings of the MS.405 and the Swiss armament. a pre-series of 8 aircraft were built in 1939 and a full series of 72 aircraft was built in 1940. there were also 2 more aircraft built later from the spare parts which was not included in the license making it illegal to exist according to the agreement with Morane Saulnier. but in 1942, with the occupation of France, they didn’t care about this infraction and no sanction was applied for the extra plane build. The D.3800 was the Swiss main fighter until late WW2 when the D.3801 were built in larger numbers (until 1943, they only had built about 15x D.3801) in 1943, the D.3800 went into standardization to incorporate some improvements used in the D.3801 and in 1944, a bomb rack was installed which make it possible to consider this new plane as a sub variant. the D.3800 remained in the Swiss services as a fighter until 1948 when the P-51 was introduced. it was used as a target tug and trainer plane until 1954 when the last one was scrapped.
Armament
the D.3800 was a pure fighter in 1940. the plane was unable to carry bomb or rockets back them. the armament been a 20mm Flz Kan 37 installed in the hub of the engine and carry 90 rounds. the plane also carry a MG-29 7.5mm in each wings which fire outside the propeller arc. the 7.5mm aren’t carrying as much ammunition as the D.3801 but carry 435 rounds each which is still acceptable for his role. in overall, the D.3800 will have a firepower power similar to the French MS.406. you trade some 7.5mm for extra 20mm ammunition.
Flight performance
The plane was renowned for its maneuverability. It would be capable of dogfighting any fighter it encounters. the Hispano-Suiza HS 31 12Y providing 860 hp. this allows the plane to reach 473 km/h at 4600m (the highest speed) and 390 at sea level. the climbing speed is varied but will have an early rate of about 13.3 m/sec. the ceiling is 9.850 m which is right for the needs of this plane and the range is 900 km. the plane weighs 1,893 kg empty and 2.525 kg full. the plane will have a better speed and climbing than the French MS.410 while retaining the same maneuverability
Survivability
the aircraft is built of mixed material. most of it is made of metal but also include other material such as wood. it makes it have an average survivability against small armament. the plane however has no armour except for a ballistic glass behind the pilot’s head. 25 kg back armour is mentioned in the weight chart which might include a small plate behind the pilot’s seat. the pilot sits in the middle of the plane and will have the average survivability. overall, it would perform just as well as the French MS.406.
Sources
Swiss Federal archive
