Bloch MB.131

The Bloch MB.130 and its derivatives were a series of French monoplane reconnaissance-bombers developed during the 1930s. They saw some limited action at the beginning of World War II but were obsolete by that time and suffered badly against the Luftwaffe. After the fall of France, a few were pressed into Luftwaffe service.

MB.131
Role Reconnaissance-bomber
Manufacturer Bloch / SNCASO
First flight 29 June 1934 (MB.130)
16 August 1936 (MB.131)
Introduction June 1938
Primary users French Air Force
Polish Air Force
Luftwaffe
Number built 143

Design and development

The MB.130 was developed after the August 1933 French Aviation Ministry request for a reconnaissance and tactical bomber. It was an all-metal, twin-engine, low-wing monoplane with retractable landing gear, armed with three flexible machine guns, one each in the nose, dorsal turret, and ventral gondola. It first flew on 29 June 1934 and despite very ordinary performance, soon entered production, forty machines being ordered in October 1935. An improved version, the MB.131 was first flown on 16 August 1936 but still needed more work to overcome its deficiencies. The radically revised second prototype which flew on 5 May 1937 eventually formed the basis for series production, with aircraft being manufactured by SNCASO, the nationalised company that had absorbed Bloch and Blériot. Total production (including prototypes) was 143.

MB.135

A four-engined derivative of the MB.134, was developed powered by four 530 kW (710 hp) Gnome-Rhône 14M 14-cylinder radial engines, with an essentially similar airframe. The sole example flew for the first time on 12 January 1939.

Operational history

Entering service in June 1938, the MB.131 went on to equip seven reconnaissance Groupes, six in metropolitan France and one in North Africa. Upon the outbreak of the war, the metropolitan Groupes suffered many losses in attempts at daylight reconnaissance of Germany's western borders. They were subsequently restricted to flying night missions, though they still suffered many losses. By May 1940, all metropolitan units had been converted to Potez 63.11 aircraft, with only the African groupe retaining them for front-line duty. After the Battle of France, the aircraft left in Vichy possession were relegated to target towing. Twenty-one unserviceable aeroplanes were reported captured by the Luftwaffe but photographic evidence suggests at least a few flew for the Nazis.

Variants
Bloch MB.130.01 photo from NACA-SR-26
Bloch MB.133 prototype
MB.130.01
Original prototype, 2x Gnome-Rhône 14Kdrs engines
MB.131.01
First prototype, 2x Gnome-Rhône 14N-10
MB.131.02
Second prototype with revised wings, tail, and fuselage
MB.131R4
Initial versions with one central machine gun, 13 built. Note: Breffort and Joiuineau say that 14 R4 aircraft were built.
MB.131Ins
Dual control instructor version, 5 built
MB.131RB4
Four-seat reconnaissance-bomber aircraft. Internal bomb bay and revised equipment. 121 built, including two prototypes refitted to this standard. Note: Breffort and Joiuineau say that 100 RB4 aircraft were built.
MB.133
Prototype with redesigned tail, 1 built
MB.134
Prototype with two 820 kW (1,100 hp) Hispano-Suiza 14AA engines, 1 built
MB.135
A four engined derivative of the MB.134, powered by four 530 kW (710 hp) Gnome-Rhône 14M 14 cylinder radial engines
MB.136

Operators
 France
France Vichy France
  • Vichy aviation operated some aircraft.
 Germany
  • Luftwaffe operated captured aircraft in restricted roles.
 Poland

Specifications (MB.131RB.4)

Data from War Planes of the Second World War: Volume Seven Bombers and Reconnaissance Aircraft[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 4
  • Length: 17.85 m (58 ft 7 in)
  • Wingspan: 20.27 m (66 ft 6 in)
  • Height: 4.09 m (13 ft 5 in)
  • Wing area: 54 m2 (580 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 4,690 kg (10,340 lb)
  • Gross weight: 7,928 kg (17,478 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 8,600 kg (18,960 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Gnome-Rhône 14N-10 14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 708 kW (949 hp) RH rotation fitted to port
  • Powerplant: 1 × Gnome-Rhône 14N-11 14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 708 kW (949 hp) LH rotation fitted to starboard
  • Propellers: 3-bladed LH and RH rotation variable-pitch propellers

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 349 km/h (217 mph, 188 kn) at 3,750 m (12,303 ft)
  • Cruise speed: 270 km/h (170 mph, 150 kn)
  • Range: 1,300 km (810 mi, 700 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 7,250 m (23,790 ft)
  • Time to altitude: 4,000 m (13,123 ft) in 13 minutes

Armament

  • Guns: 3 × 7.5 mm (.295 in) MAC 1934 machine guns in flexible mounts in the nose, dorsal turret and ventral gondola.
  • Bombs: 4 × 200 kg (440 lb) or 6 × 100 kg (220 lb) or 8 × 50 kg (110 lb) or 64 × 10 kg (22 lb) bombs

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References
  1. Green 1967, p. 98.

Bibliography
  • Green, William (1967). War Planes of the Second World War: Bombers and Reconnaissance Aircraft: Bombers and reconnaissance aircraft, Australia, Belgium, Bohemia-Moravia, Bulgaria, Canada, Finland, France. Vol. VII. London: Macdonald. OCLC 748281167.

Further reading
  • Comas, Matthieu (September 2000). "Les bombardiers polonais de Lyon-Bron" [The Polish Bombers of Lyon-Bron]. Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire (in French) (90): 30–32. ISSN 1243-8650.
  • Fernandez, José (April 1993). "Le Bloch 131 (1ère partie)". Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire (in French) (2): 34–44. ISSN 1243-8650.
  • Mombeek, Eric (May 2001). "Les trésors de Cazaux" [The Treasures of Cazaux]. Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire (in French) (98): 44–47. ISSN 1243-8650.
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