Aviation Naval Warfare Land Systems Small Arms By Flag By Year By Tag

Bloch MB.210

1935 GOLDEN AGE WORLD WAR 2

History

French aviation group Societe des Avions Marcel Bloch designed, developed and built several pre-World War II civil and military aircraft. The final civilian form appeared in 1939, just before the fall of France in the summer of 1940, while the military form existed until 1947.

At the end of World War II, the group officially changed its name to Dassault Aviation, a name that still exists in the aviation industry today (2013). The original Bloch company was founded by French aircraft engineer Marcel Bloch (1892-1986), whose surname was later legally changed to Dassault in response to the Nazi-aligned Vichy French government in France Mass persecution of Jews.

Bloch developed a high-wing twin-engine bomber in the early 1930s, which was then adopted by several air powers, including France. This aircraft is designated as MB. 200 ("Marcel Bloch Type 200") and approx. 332 were built from 1933 to 1939. MB.

The 200 was developed in response to the French Air Force's need for a modern day and night bomber in 1932. The series eventually evolved into three other forms, each for a different engine type.

From this basic design was born the improved Private Venture MB. 210 series. One of the major design changes in this form was the repositioning of the main wing attachments to low mounting positions on the sides of the fuselage. Also, MB.

The 210 had retractable landing gear, and many new designs of the time still had fixed landing gear (sometimes mounted in aerodynamic fairings). Power is provided by 2 Gnome-Rhone 14K series radial piston engines, each rated at 800 hp. On November 23, 1934, Bloch tested the aircraft in flight for the first time.

Ultimately, two prototypes were built, the second featuring Hispano-Suiza engines with 860 hp each. Only the second prototype had retractable landing gear, the first had fixed legs. Bloch managed to sell his idea of ??an improved MB.

In November 1936, the French aviation authorities purchased 210 bombers from the French aviation authorities, signed a purchase contract and formally accepted the series. Series production was taken over by several French manufacturers, including Les Mureaux, Breguet, Hanriot, Potez and Renault.

Actually, it's MB. The 210 proved to be deficient in key areas, especially its engine, which not only overheated with prolonged use, but also provided the power needed for military service. Therefore, the French Air Force grounded their MBs. 210 fleet until these issues are resolved.

Bloch brought back a slightly modified bracket with a Gnome-Rhone 14N series radial engine. These engines have proven to be more reliable than the original and allow MB. 210 returned to active duty.

Serial production eventually brought 257 aircraft to Armie de L'Air (French Air Force). The teams actually built around 300 examples of this type in total, including prototypes and planned one-offs.

Leading MB is his availability in numbers. The 210 was still in service when Germany invaded France in June 1940. The aircraft entered combat service with the French Air Force and Navy and MB. The 210 had about a dozen French bomber groups stationed during the fighting. By this time, the bomber was a completely outdated design, engaged in a major modern war, and casualties were reasonably expected.

When a daytime bombing raid by well-trained and experienced German fighters brought disaster to French aircrews, the bombers switched to a night attack, which proved to be almost unsuccessful. In any case, due to the desperation of the French government, it was used in operations until France formally surrendered.

Some personnel were transferred to North Africa to continue their service careers.

After the French surrender and subsequent German occupation, MB. Until 1942, the Luftwaffe used the 210 for a short time. Six captured prototypes were shipped to Bulgaria, allied with Germany, and operated by the Bulgarian Air Force for some time. Romania proved to be another Axis-aligned operator, receiving around 10 prototypes from an initial order of 24 aircraft. At the end of the war, MB.

The 210 was a largely forgotten breed of bomber design, giving way to a plethora of American and British products that proved very successful in WWII.

MB. The 210 has acquired several names and variants throughout its lifespan. trillion. 201. 01 is used to represent the first prototype shape. trillion. The 210 billion 4 represents the first production models to feature the updated Gnome-Rhone 14N series Meridian. trillion. The 5210 billion is a variant made exclusively by the company Hanriot and offers an extra spot for an extra crew. trillion.

The 210H specifies a seaplane variant with floats and 2 x Gnome-Rhone 14Kirs radial planes. trillion. 211. 01 is a prototype model equipped with 2 x Hispano-Suiza 12Y 860hp inline piston engines. trillion. 212 and MB. 218 known projects failed.

In its basic form, MB. The 210 was piloted by a crew of four and powered by two radial engines. Externally, the fuselage was primitive even by 1930s standards, consisting of a long nose section with windows, a stepped cockpit cockpit, and a long barrel fuselage with panel edges.

The rear wing is of a conventional design, with only one vertical rear wing and a low-set rear wing. The main wing attachments are mounted low, each manages an engine nacelle and has a slight V-shape. While the landing gear is technically retractable, the tail wheel cannot, and the main leg wheels are exposed under the engine nacelles.

There are three machine gun turret positions for defense - on the back, one on the ventral side and one on the nose. The aircraft was fitted with 3 x 7.5 mm MAC 1934 machine guns. With an internal bomb bay, the bomber could drop up to 3,500 pounds of supplies.

General performance specifications include a top speed of 200 mph (150 mph cruising), a range of 1,050 miles and a service ceiling of 32,500 feet.