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The Morane-Saulnier M.S.731 was the designation given to the M.S.730 basic trainer prototype after it was re-engined with an Argus As 10. The M.S.730 was a low-wing two or three seat monoplane basic trainer, powered by a Mathis 8G.30 inverted V-8 engine. It made its maiden flight as the M.S.730 on 11 August 1949.
After this flight the M.S.730 was re-engined with a 240hp Argus As 10, a German wartime engine that was available in large numbers as war surplus. The aircraft made its first flight as the M.S.731 in November 1949. Work then moved onto the M.S.732, two new prototypes powered by a Potez 6D.30 engine. This would become the basis for the production version, the Morane-Saulnier M.S.733 Alcyon (Kingfisher), which was produced in significant quantities and even served as a counter-insurgency aircraft.