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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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