Unit Card:
Set - Number
Angels 20 - 22/31
Cost-9
Speed-A
Defense 4/4
AI-7/5/0
AT3/2/0
Aircraft
Anti-air
Inaccurate
History:
Vergilius
The Ms.406 was a French fighter produced starting in 1938. It represents the most numerous French fighter in the early stages of WWII. Compared to its competitors, it was lacking in armor and firepower, though it was maneuverable. The Bf109 completely outperformed it and outclassed it during the Battle of France. The French lost nearly twice as many Ms.406 for every plane that they managed to shoot down. After the French surrendered, Germany captured a large number of Ms.406 and sold them off to the Finnish. Finnish air units managed to score 121 kills for 15 losses.
Reviews:
Vergilius
The Ms. 406 is among the worst planes represented in Angels20. Both versions suffer from the 2 armor, 2 hit bug that plagues the Japanese Zeke and Zero. This might be playable except for the fact that comparison with other planes around the two version of the plane reveals that they are both overcosted. The Ms.406 appears to be slightly better than the I-15 Abu at 15 points, and perhaps equivalent in value to the 16 point Saetta Rookie. Instead, the Ms.406 comes in at a whooping 19 points. But leaving aside issues of cost, the Ms.406 has a basic speed of 2-3 and a high speed of 4, which is typical for a lot of early war planes including the Bf109E. Dice values of 4-3-2 reflect the poor armament. While a 2-5-2 defensive line reflects the poor armor. The maneuvering line also reflects the same distinction we’ve seen elsewhere between poor and better pilots. The Ms.406 Rookie drops a point from the Matimaha on all maneuvering abilities except dive. These maneuvering abilities hardly seem to make up for the fact that the Ms.406 is a fragile and poorly armed plane. The poor Rookie receives two negative SAs. Inexperience is not so bad as difficult maneuvers at high speed tend to be low probability rolls anyway. Limited Ammo can potentially compound if you roll multiple ones over the course of the game, damaging an already feeble gunnery score.
Flight Builds and Tactics: Generally you want to avoid using this plane if at all possible. If you are willing to play with a cost house-rule, then consider throwing one plane into flights where you’re playing open Axis or open Allies without any nation or theater limitations.
Plastic Figure Notes:
