Le MS 760 Paris par Pierre Parvau
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Book Review
This is a new hard-backed title from Lela Presse and it offers 320 pages with 100s of period images, including cThis is a new hard-backed title from Lela Presse and it offers 320 pages with 100s of period images, technical manual extracts, diagrams and modern colour side profiles. The text is in French throughout, even the photo captions, but basically it charts the design of the type and its development and operational use around the world. Coverage starts with a look at the origins of the type, with the MS 755 and compares it with other types of the era such as the T-37 and CM-170. Next comes the Fleuret II, which led directly to the MS 760, along with the sales pitch undertaken by Morane-Saulnier to sell the type abroad (even getting certification for the type in America). The MS860 Super Paris project is covered next, before moving on to the MS 760B Paris II, which coincided with financial problems with the parent company during the 1961-62 period. Then there is the MS760C Paris III and the various upgrades and derivatives made from it. Coverage now turns to operational use, starting with the use in its native France, either by the Armée de l'Air or Aéronautique Navale (listed unit by unit) or by various civil or test institutions like the Centre d'Essais en Vol (CEV). This is followed by sections listing each nation that tested or operated the type, so you have Argentina, Portugal, Braszil, Peru and the RLS (Rijks Luchtvaart School, Holland). A similar section follows, this lists all the various civil users of the type, both business and wealthy individuals, as well as government and royalty and then concludes by looking at the various civil firms that have operated the type and those that intend to/intended to upgrade them. The fifth part of the title is a technical look at the MS760, with a nice selection of diagrams and photos from the manual and this also includes a set of 1/48th scale plans. The appendices list all the aircraft produced, with a brief history for each, a chart showing production from April 1958 to October 1964 and finally a list of all crashes and fatalities relating to the MS760 throughout its career.
Conclusion
This is an excellent title, OK it is limited by the French-only text, but this can easily be translated nowadays with online programmes available for such things. The type is pretty much going to have a 95% French-based interest anyway and with only a couple of kits having ever been made (one each in 1/72nd and 1/48th) it is not one that is going to excite most modellers. It's a shame as the type had a varied career and has the potential for masses of schemes, so let's hope with all this carefully researched data now available some kit manufacturer may consider the type.
Our thanks to Lela Presse for the review sample, this should be available from specialist outlets in the UK, but if you have any problems visit their website www.avions-bateaux.com or email contact@avions-bateaux.com.
This is a new hard-backed title from Lela Presse and it offers 320 pages with 100s of period images, including cThis is a new hard-backed title from Lela Presse and it offers 320 pages with 100s of period images, technical manual extracts, diagrams and modern colour side profiles. The text is in French throughout, even the photo captions, but basically it charts the design of the type and its development and operational use around the world. Coverage starts with a look at the origins of the type, with the MS 755 and compares it with other types of the era such as the T-37 and CM-170. Next comes the Fleuret II, which led directly to the MS 760, along with the sales pitch undertaken by Morane-Saulnier to sell the type abroad (even getting certification for the type in America). The MS860 Super Paris project is covered next, before moving on to the MS 760B Paris II, which coincided with financial problems with the parent company during the 1961-62 period. Then there is the MS760C Paris III and the various upgrades and derivatives made from it. Coverage now turns to operational use, starting with the use in its native France, either by the Armée de l'Air or Aéronautique Navale (listed unit by unit) or by various civil or test institutions like the Centre d'Essais en Vol (CEV). This is followed by sections listing each nation that tested or operated the type, so you have Argentina, Portugal, Braszil, Peru and the RLS (Rijks Luchtvaart School, Holland). A similar section follows, this lists all the various civil users of the type, both business and wealthy individuals, as well as government and royalty and then concludes by looking at the various civil firms that have operated the type and those that intend to/intended to upgrade them. The fifth part of the title is a technical look at the MS760, with a nice selection of diagrams and photos from the manual and this also includes a set of 1/48th scale plans. The appendices list all the aircraft produced, with a brief history for each, a chart showing production from April 1958 to October 1964 and finally a list of all crashes and fatalities relating to the MS760 throughout its career.
Conclusion
This is an excellent title, OK it is limited by the French-only text, but this can easily be translated nowadays with online programmes available for such things. The type is pretty much going to have a 95% French-based interest anyway and with only a couple of kits having ever been made (one each in 1/72nd and 1/48th) it is not one that is going to excite most modellers. It's a shame as the type had a varied career and has the potential for masses of schemes, so let's hope with all this carefully researched data now available some kit manufacturer may consider the type.
Our thanks to Lela Presse for the review sample, this should be available from specialist outlets in the UK, but if you have any problems visit their website www.avions-bateaux.com or email contact@avions-bateaux.com.
