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Bloch MB.150



 
 
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Old May 1st 20, 04:07 PM posted to alt.binaries.pictures.aviation
Miloch
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Default Bloch MB.150

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloch_MB.150

The Bloch MB.150 (later MB.151 to MB.157) was a French low-wing monoplane
fighter aircraft developed and produced by Société des Avions Marcel Bloch. It
featured all-metal construction, complete with a retractable undercarriage and a
fully enclosed cockpit.

The MB.150 was originally developed to conform with the requirements of the 1934
French Air Ministry competition seeking a new fighter design. Despite the
competition being won by the competing Morane-Saulnier M.S.406, it was decided
to proceed with development. Initially proving unable to attain flight, the
modified prototype conducted its maiden flight in October 1937. Service trials
of the MB.150 determined the aircraft to hold sufficient promise to warrant
further work, leading to the adoption of an expanded and strengthened wing and a
more refined Gnome-Rhone 14N-7 engine. During spring 1938, following the
completion of further proving trials, an order for a pre-production batch of 25
aircraft was placed.

Redesigns of the MB.150 design led to the improved MB.151 and MB.152 which
entered squadron service with the Armée de l'Air. By the outbreak of the Second
World War, around 120 aircraft had been delivered to the Armée de l'Air, but
most were not sufficiently equipped to be considered combat-capable.
Additionally, an improved model, designated as the MB.155, was capable of
greater range. Ordered into production in 1940, only 10 aircraft had been
completed by the Fall of France. Completed during the Vichy era, a further
improved model of the aircraft, designated as the MB.157, featured a heavier and
more powerful engine. Though demonstrating promising performance, it did not
enter production.


Role
single seat Interceptor Fighter

Manufacturer
SNCASO

Designer
Maurice Roussel

First flight
29 September 1937

Introduction
1939

Status
Retired

Primary users
Armée de l'Air
Aéronavale
Armée de l'Air de l'Armistice
Royal Hellenic Air Force

Number built
c.?663

Upon evaluation, early deliveries were deemed unsuitable for combat operations,
principally due to issues with the tailplane; thus, plans were laid for the
first 157 production fighters to be stored awaiting modification, while
additional production examples were built with the correction made. Furthermore,
the type was initially confined to performing training duties alone; prior to
the outbreak of the Second World War, only a single squadron, allocated to the
1st Escadre de Chasse, received the type. Upon the eve of the conflict, around
249 aircraft had been manufactured; of these, roughly 123 aircraft had been
accepted by the Armée de l'Air. However, few of these were considered to be
flyable, the majority missing their gunsights and propellers.

On 26 September 1939, the first modified MB.152s were delivered to the French
Air Force; the first of these fighters were allocated to active squadrons by
early October and, by mid-November 1939, two separate Groupes de Chasse (fighter
groups) had been equipped with 26 MB.152s each. At this point, the type still
demonstrated some unfavourable flight characteristics, such as during steep
dives. Meanwhile, increasing numbers of MB.151 aircraft were being delivered to
be squadrons for training purposes in advance of their anticipated conversion to
the MB.152. During the initial stage of the conflict, known as the Phoney War,
very few engagements between the MB.152 and the aircraft of the Luftwaffe
occurred; in this period, only a single kill of a Junkers Ju 88 was recorded.

During the Battle of France, a mixture of MB.151s and MB.152s equipped nine
Groupes de Chasse; the MB.152 held the distinction of being the most numerous
aircraft remaining in service during the final weeks prior to the signing of the
Armistice of 22 June 1940. While they were considered to be outmatched by the
faster Messerschmitt Bf 109E, the pilots of Bloch MB.152s destroyed at least 188
enemy aircraft, for the loss of about 86 Blochs. They proved to be tough
aircraft, able to withstand considerable battle damage, rapidly reach high
speeds during a dive, and functioned well as a gunnery platform.

However, in comparison with its other French contemporaries, according to
aviation author Michel Cristesco: "the MB.152 was the least successful in combat
and the one that suffered the heaviest losses". The type suffered some numerous
issues and shortcomings; these problems included poor agility, unreliable guns,
a relatively low range (600 km [370 mi] compared to 660 km for the Bf 109E) and
being considerably underpowered. Writing of its faults, Cristesco attributed two
major points for its short performance; its inadequate manoeuvrability and its
range.

Specifications (MB.152C.1)

General characteristics
Crew: 1
Length: 9.1 m (29 ft 10 in)
Wingspan: 10.54 m (34 ft 7 in)
Height: 3.03 m (9 ft 11 in)
Wing area: 17.32 m2 (186.4 sq ft)
Empty weight: 2,158 kg (4,758 lb)
Gross weight: 2,693 kg (5,937 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 2,800 kg (6,173 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Gnome-Rhône 14N-25 14-cyl. two-row air-cooled radial piston
engine, 805 kW (1,080 hp)

or 1 x Gnome-Rhône 14N-49 engine rated at 820 kW (1,100 hp)Propellers: 3-bladed
variable-pitch propeller

Performance
Maximum speed: 509 km/h (316 mph, 275 kn)
Cruise speed: 450 km/h (280 mph, 240 kn)
Range: 600 km (370 mi, 320 nmi)
Service ceiling: 10,000 m (33,000 ft)
Time to altitude: 2,000 m (6,600 ft) in 3 minutes 24 seconds
Wing loading: 155.4 kg/m2 (31.8 lb/sq ft)
Power/mass: 0.182 hp/lb (0.299 kW/kg)

Armament

2 × 20 mm Hispano-Suiza HS.404 cannon with 60-round drum magazines
2 × 7.5 mm (0.295 in) MAC 1934 M39 machine guns with 500 rpg
or4 × 7.5 mm (0.295 in) MAC 1934 M39 machine guns with 500 rpg





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