Bloch MB.150 (Series)

History

Bloch MB. The 150 is a family of modern all-metal monoplanes developed for the French Air Force before World War II.

The aircraft was developed in response to a 1934 French Air Force need for a new fighter/interceptor cradle capable of aircraft speeds approaching 300 miles per hour and armed with machine guns and cannons. The joint venture pits several France-based airlines against each other to come up with possible solutions. These include the Societe des Avions Marcel Bloch (commonly known as "Bloch") and its single-seat, single-engine monoplane MB.

150. However, the government contract was awarded to rival Morane-Saulnier, whose stripped-down MS 406 produced 1,176 prototypes, which entered service in 1938.

MB. 150 Development

Bloch engineers were undeterred and continued to support MB. Project 150, one of the completed prototypes, suffered major problems and failed to leave the ground during its planned maiden flight in 1936. By 1937, engineers had a more powerful engine, a new three-bladed propeller, improved wing elements, and a new landing gear, culminating in the prototype's maiden flight in October. The French Air Force developed some interest in the Bloch project and intended to evaluate this type by 1938.

The results of these tests resulted in a purchase order for 25 aircraft - although none were based on the original prototype. Instead, the design focus has shifted to a pair of more powerful prototypes in development - the MB. 151 and MB.

The 152 was equipped with Gnome-Rhone 14N-35 and 14N-25 engines respectively. MB. 152 entered service with the French Air Force as MB. 151. C1 and MB. 152MB. 152.C1. The aircraft proved to be comparable to the American Curtis P.36 of the time.

MB. 152 performance

Bloch MB. The 152 proved to be the final production model, with nearly 500 examples produced. This version is powered by a Gnome-Rhone 14N-25/-49 series air-cooled radial piston engine producing 1,080/1,100 horsepower depending on trim level. This is combined with a three-blade variable fixed-pitch propeller setup.

This combination gives the aircraft a top speed of 316 mph (280 mph at cruising), a range of 370 miles, and a service ceiling of 32,800 feet.

MB. 150 Series Weapon Options

The standard weapon of the MB. The 150 series is slightly different, some forms are done with 4x7.5mm MAC 1934 M39 machine guns, others with 2x20mm Hispano-Suiza HS. 404 guns and 2 x 7.5mm MAC 1934 M39 machine guns. The latter form is undoubtedly the more efficient variant.

MB. 150 Tours

Overall, MB. The 150 fighter series is a state-of-the-art design consisting of an all-metal skin and substructure with low-lying monoplane wing attachments. The general design of the wing is straight, with rounded tips, and is positioned amidships. The engine is traditionally mounted in the forward-most section of the fuselage and drives a three-bladed propeller system. Interestingly, the cockpit was also placed far away in the design, somewhat shortening the visual barrier from the engine bay.

However, visibility was still hindered by the short engine case in front, the underside wings and the raised fuselage spine behind the cockpit. The canopy is fully enclosed as a two-piece assembly, and the rear slides back for easy access.

The rear of the fuselage is tapered, with a vertical tail attached to a centrally mounted horizontal tail. The landing gear is retractable and has a "trail" arrangement consisting of two single-wheel main gear legs and a small tail-wheel leg located in the tail. As with similar trailing aircraft designs, with a pronounced "nose-up" appearance, taxiing on the ground is a challenge in itself.

Define the key qualities of MB. The "modern design" of the 150 at the time was the use of retractable landing gear, an enclosed cockpit, the use of metal skin structures and the implementation of a unique monoplane wing.

MB. 150 variants

MB. 150 was born from a single MB. The 150.01 prototype was powered by a Gnome-Rhone 14N-07 series radial piston engine. MB. 151 exists in his MB. 151. 01 Prototype for generating MB. 151. The C1 production model and its Gnome-Rhone 14N-35 series engine. About 144 such examples were completed. MB. 152 was born in MB. 152. 01 Prototype and available as MB. 152. Use Gnome-Rhone 14N to produce Form C1. 25 engine, 1,050 hp. 482 copies of this type were delivered. MB. The 155 proved to be the final final production form and was based on the MB. 155. 01 Prototype, which in turn was born in MB. 152. The engine was supplied by a Gnome-Rhone 14N-49 series engine and 35 prototypes were produced.

Abandoned, failed or cancelled MB. 150 Developments

MB. The 153 was a one-off prototype powered by an American Pratt & Whitney R. 1830 Twin Wasp radial engine. MB. The 154 was a proposed variant of the Wright R. 1820 radial piston engine, which has been scrapped. MB.

The 156 turned out to be another discontinued model, albeit with a Gnome-Rhone 14R series radial. MB. 157 may have proven to be the ultimate MB. In 1940, 150 people in France would not fall into Germany. MB. 157 was born in MB. 152 and comes with a 1,580-horsepower Gnome-Rhone 14R-4 radial.

MB. Series 150 and World War II

For the French army, World War II came at just the right time. Much of its doctrine and command is still rooted in a World War I mentality, while many modern institutions have stalled in development, hampered by political manipulation and labor disputes. Thus, by the time of the German invasion, many capable weapons were still in the design phase, in the testing phase, or were being produced slowly and at a limited rate. Such fate fell on MB.

150 series than just 120 samples from MB. 151 and MB. With 152 fighter jets available due to the lack of key components such as propellers, there are actually very few airworthy fighters.

The two production brands eventually formed nine French Air Force fighter squadrons, while the Greek Air Force received an order of 25 MB. 151 aircraft, although only 9 systems were delivered, which fought until April 1941.

Bloch further strengthens MB. 150 lines, which yields MB. The 155 comes with a revised fairing, revised wings and cockpit moved aft to create additional internal volume for fuel. This aircraft originated from MB. 155. C1 and went into production in 1940.

However, this move was too little, too late for the French campaign, and the country's eventual fall in June 1940 would seriously hinder MB. French has 155 availability. The battle only lasted a month and a half and only ten MB. 155s available. The armistice signed between France and Germany gave the Germans control of military production lines, which were then used to support the French stocks of the Vichy allies.

Another 25MB. 155 aircraft were added to the inventory, while 8 French Vichy fighter groups were assigned to the MB. At some point in the 150s, the Luftwaffe managed two MBs by itself. 150 battle groups. After the dissolution of the Vichy Air Force in December 1942, MB.

150 men were sent to Romania to fight under the Axis flag. The Polish Air Force in exile uses the MB. The 150 series in war, completes the list of available operators.

Actually, it's MB. The 150 series proved to be a viable mount, only relevant for World War II combat. The aircraft had enough power, stability and firepower to prevail, although it wasn't an agile beast, eventually being surpassed by the excellent German Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter. While Bloch regularly updated engine performance, the design was determined in a 1930s mindset, not in time for total war.

The German invasion just blocked MB completely. The 150 series as a whole greatly reduces their usefulness. Only incomplete MB. The 157 Mark was a true thoroughbred in the family, a variant adopted by the Germans (tried and done) but never mass produced.

The prototype was eventually lost in Allied bombing.

From the looks of it, MB. The 152 Mark proved to be the most effective of the group, destroying nearly 190 enemy aircraft in subsequent battles. Instead, nearly 90 of this type were lost, suggesting that the series was ineffective in the middle of the war. last MB. 150 aircraft flew violently until 1944, when the liberated airframes were returned to service with the French Air Force after the Allies liberated the area from the Axis powers.

These are still used poetically against destroyed and retreating German troops.

Less than 670MB. 150 Series aircraft are produced in all build and prototype/test forms.

Specification

Basic

Production

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Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes