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The Morane-Saulnier M.S. 226 was a carrier based fighter developed from the M.S. 225, itself seen as an interim design that saw service while more modern aircraft were under development. The M.S. 225 was a parasol wing fighter that had evolved from the M.S. 121, a lightweight fighter designed in response to a French air ministry specification of 1926. By 1930 this 'Jockey' programme had failed to produce any service aircraft, and was cancelled. A new specification for a C.1 (one seat fighter) was issued, but it was clear that it would take some time for any of these aircraft to enter service, and so the M.S. 225 was ordered into limited production.
The M.S. 226 was designed by Morane-Saulnier as a dedicated carrier-borne version of the M.S. 225. It shared the same configuration as the earlier aircraft, with a metal framework faired out to produce a circular fabric covered fuselage and a mixed wooden and metal wing. Basic design work was carried out in 1932, and three prototypes were ordered in 1933. The aircraft had a stronger structure than the M.S. 225, and was equipped with an arrestor hook and naval equipment. The first two prototypes retained the fixed wings of the original, but the third was completed as the M.S. 226bis, with wings that folded to the rear. The M.S. 226 was heavier and slower than the M.S. 225.
The Aéronavale accepted the M.S. 226 for tests, but judged it to be an obsolescent design and the aircraft wasn't ordered into production.
Engine: Gnome-Rhône 9Kdrs
Power: 500hp
Crew: 1
Wing span: 34ft 7 3/4in
Length: 23 ft 9in
Height: 10ft 9 ½ in
Loaded Weight: 3,615lb
Max Speed: 172mph at 1,640ft
Service Ceiling: 24,605ft :
Armament: Two fixed synchronised 7.7mm Vickers machine guns