Designed in Vichy France the MS.470 prototype first flew on 22 December 1944[citation needed], successful testing leading to an order from the French Air Force of a revised variant the MS.472.

The Vanneau was a low-wing cantilever monoplane with a pilot and student in tandem under a long glazed canopy.

It had a retractable tailwheel landing gear and the prototype was powered by a 515 kW (690 hp) Hispano-Suiza 12X inline engine.

From December 1947 the French Navy received 70 of the MS.474 variant modified for carrier operations.

A re-engined version the MS.475 was produced from 1950 which had minor differences but was powered by a 641 kW (860 hp) Hispano-Suiza 12Y-45 V-12 engine.