Morane-Saulnier MS 733 Alcyon
Summary
| Category | Training aircraft |
| Origin country | 🇫🇷 France |
| First flight | 11 August 1949 |
| Year of introduction | 1953 |
| Number produced | 208 units |
| Average unit price | $0.2 million |
Description
The MS 733 Alcyon was a training and light attack aircraft developed by the French company Morane-Saulnier in the 1950s. This low-wing monoplane with fixed landing gear was derived from the prototype MS.730-01. It was specially designed to meet the needs of the French Air Force at that time.
The MS 733 Alcyon was powered by a 240-horsepower Argus As 10 engine, which gave it reasonable performance for an aircraft of its category. It could reach a maximum speed of about 230 km/h and had a range of approximately 800 kilometers. Its spacious cockpit offered excellent visibility to the crew and was equipped with a full instrumentation, including a VHF transmitter-receiver, a radio compass, and an artificial horizon.
Originally designed as a basic training aircraft, the Alcyon was quickly adopted by the French Air Force due to its performance and maneuverability. It was widely used to train French military pilots until the 1970s. In addition to its training role, the Alcyon was also used as a light attack aircraft in Algeria starting in 1956. Under the designation MS.733A, it was armed with 7.5mm MAC 34T machine guns, T-10 rocket launchers, and anti-personnel bombs.
The Alcyon also found success in the civilian market, where it was used by many French flying clubs. Its ease of piloting and reliability made it a popular choice among civilian pilots. In fact, the airline Air France even leased five Alcyon aircraft from the French government to train its navigation and radio-navigation officers.
In total, approximately 200 units of the MS 733 Alcyon were produced. Of these, 145 were used by the French Air Force and 40 by the Aéronavale. Some of these aircraft are still in flying condition today and regularly participate in airshows, thus recalling the historical importance of this aircraft in French aviation. The MS 733 Alcyon remains a symbol of the post-war French aeronautical industry, with its versatile performance and contribution to the training of military and civilian pilots.
Technical specifications
| Version: MS.733 | |
|---|---|
| Crew | 1 pilot + 1 instructor + 1 passenger |
| Operational range | 920 km (572 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 240 km/h (149 mph) |
| Wing area | 20.4 m² (219.6 sqft) |
| Wingspan | 11.3 m (37.0 ft) |
| Height | 3.5 m (11.4 ft) |
| Length | 9.3 m (30.6 ft) |
| Service ceiling | 4800 m (15748 ft) |
| Empty weight | 1262 kg (2782 lbs) |
| Max. takeoff weight | 1670 kg (3682 lbs) |
| Powerplant | 1 × pistons engine Potez 6D30 delivering 177 kW |
Current operating countries
No country is operating the MS 733 Alcyon in 2024.