Moraine Saunier Tonnerre

Named for the sound of it's heavy guns, the Tonnerre (Thunder) is a fast interceptor serving french forces at home and abroad.

Made to compete with the British Hornet and the Dutch Fokker D.XXI, the Tonnerre is a craft based in the European tradition of high performance. But the French have benefited from their extensive experience in French Louisiana and later Quebec; unlike it's european competitors the Tonnerre is heavily armed.

Arming such a light planes with the two gigantic 70 caliber cannon is a risky undertaking. The only way to mount the guns proved to be underwing gun pods; these look huge compared to the thin wings and very intimidating. But the roomy pods hold reliable Hizpaniola autocannon and large magazines with reliable feed mechanisms; the Tonnerre can continously fire longer than any other aircraft with such heavy guns.

Many french pilots swear by the Tonnerre's small cockpit. All the controls are conveniently within reach, and the stick is short and nimble. American pilots who have tried the cockpit generally feel claustophobic and refuse to have anything to do with it.

Modeling

Built out of one Messerschmitt 262 (fins, wings and engines/gun pods) and one Spitfire (the fuselage). These models are not to scale with one another. They are from Games Collection, Milano, Italy.

Included here is a list of the relevant Special Characteristics of the plane, a design complexity, and a price calculated from these values.

Base Complexity		13
Superior Guns		+2
Light Stick		+1
Cramped Cockpit		-1
Total		15
Cost	$9.300