Morane-Saulnier MS.760 Paris - Operational History

Operational History

On 18 July 1956 the French government requisitioned 50 aircraft, including 14 for the Navy, from Tarbes-based manufacturer Morane-Saulnier. The first plane was delivered on 9 February 1959 to Naval Air Station (N.A.S.) Dugny-Le Bourget, before going to the C.E.P.A. (directly translated as Aeronautical Practical Experiment Center - in English this would probably be "Flight Test Centre") in 1959-60, for the flight tests necessary to develop training programs and materials. The type was also purchased by several countries such as Brazil and Argentina; 36 planes were license-built by Fabrica Militar de Aviones (FMA) in Argentina. The MS.760B Paris II, with various systems improvements and integral fuel tanks in the leading edges of the wing, first flew on 12 December 1960. From 1958 to the early '60s an MS 760 was used as a flying classroom at the "Colledge of Aeronautics" Cranfield UK. The aircraft was equipped to study stability and control together with performance as part of the MSc course.

The 14 MS.760 were assigned to Flight 11.S from 9 February 1959 onwards. The last plane, No. 88, was delivered on 27 July 1961. In 1965, MS.760 No. 48 was briefly assigned to Flight 3.S based at N.A.S Hyères. From 1970 onwards, all the 12 remaining MS.760s were assigned to Flight 2.S based at N.A.S. Lann-Bihoué. In May 1972 they were sent to the S.R.L. On 1 September 1981 this unit became Flight 57.S (this flight had been shut down at the closing of N.A.S. Port-Lyautey, Morocco on 15 January 1962).

Their missions were Super Étendard and F-8 Crusader pilot IFR and all-weather training, advanced training for new pilots, proficiency training for other pilots and A.L.P.A. (admirals commanding the carriers and Naval Aviation), and 1st and 2nd Aerial Regions liaisons. Eight MS.760 Paris were on the unit's flightline. After 40 years of service, the aircraft were retired in October 1997 at Landivisiau Naval Air Station.

In 2007, after 48 years of continuous service, the Argentine Air Force retired their last Paris.

In 2009, JetSet International Ltd purchased more than 30 MS760s from the French and Argentinian governments, and the type certificate, tooling, parts, engineering plans and drawings from Daher SOCATA. They are refurbishing the airframes and installing new jet engines and avionics and selling them for approximately $550,000. A two-ship aerial demonstration team called Team MS760 Aerobatics using the refurbished aircraft was formed in 2009.