Time Period: World War II
Country of Origin: France
Type: Fighter Aircraft
Manufacturer: SNCASO (Société nationale des constructions aéronautiques du Sud-Ouest)
Bloch MB.150 Aircraft Overview
The Bloch MB.152 was a French fighter aircraft developed during the late 1930s and utilized during World War II. Designed by Société des Avions Marcel Bloch, later known as Dassault Aviation, the MB.152 was intended to serve as a modern and capable fighter to supplement and eventually replace older aircraft in the Armée de l’Air, the French Air Force.
The MB.152 was a low-wing monoplane with a sleek and aerodynamic design. It featured a fully enclosed cockpit for the pilot, offering improved protection and visibility compared to earlier designs. The aircraft was powered by a single Gnome-Rhône 14N radial engine, which provided it with a top speed of around 525 km/h (326 mph) and a range of approximately 900 kilometers (560 miles).
One of the notable features of the MB.152 was its armament. It typically carried a combination of 20mm Hispano-Suiza HS.404 cannons and 7.5mm MAC 1934 machine guns, providing it with formidable firepower for engaging enemy aircraft. The MB.152 also featured additional hardpoints for carrying bombs or external fuel tanks, further enhancing its versatility in combat missions.
In terms of performance, the Bloch MB.152 was well-regarded for its agility, maneuverability, and overall handling characteristics. It was considered a capable fighter aircraft, capable of holding its own against contemporary designs from other nations.
However, despite its promising attributes, the MB.152 faced challenges during operational service, particularly during the Battle of France 🔗 in 1940. Production delays, industrial constraints, and the rapid advance of German forces limited the aircraft’s impact on the outcome of the war. Additionally, advancements in enemy aircraft technology eventually rendered the MB.152 obsolete in frontline combat roles.
Bloch MB.152C.1 Specifications
- Crew: 1 pilot
- Length: 9.1 meters (29 feet 10 inches)
- Wingspan: 10.54 meters (34 feet 7 inches)
- Height: 3.03 meters (9 feet 11 inches)
- Wing Area: 17.32 square meters (186.4 square feet)
- Empty Weight: 2,158 kg (4,758 lbs)
- Gross Weight: 2,693 kg (5,937 lbs)
- Maximum Takeoff Weight: 2,800 kg (6,173 lbs)
- Engine:
- 1 × Gnome-Rhône 14N-25, a 14-cylinder two-row air-cooled radial piston engine producing 805 kW (1,080 hp), or
- 1 × Gnome-Rhône 14N-49 engine rated at 820 kW (1,100 hp)
- Propeller: 3-bladed variable-pitch propeller
Bloch MB.152C.1 Performance
- Maximum Speed: 509 km/h (316 mph, 275 knots)
- Cruise Speed: 450 km/h (280 mph, 240 knots)
- Range: 600 km (370 miles, 320 nautical miles)
- Service Ceiling: 10,000 meters (33,000 feet)
- Climb to 2,000 meters (6,600 feet): 3 minutes 24 seconds
- Wing Loading: 155.4 kg/m² (31.8 lbs/sq ft)
- Power-to-Mass Ratio: 0.182 hp/lb (0.299 kW/kg)
Bloch MB.152C.1 Armament
- 2 × 20 mm Hispano-Suiza HS.404 cannons with 60-round drum magazines
- 2 × 7.5 mm (0.295 in) MAC 1934 machine guns with 500 rounds per gun, or
- 4 × 7.5 mm MAC 1934 M39 machine guns with 500 rounds per gun