Aircraft Archives - Page 11 of 18 - Destination's Journey

Bloch MB.131 French Bomber

Although based on the previous MB.310 design, the Bloch MB.311 was a more modern and aerodynamic design. The first prototype flew on August 12, 1936, followed by the second prototype on May 7, 1937. This second aircraft added a fifth crewman, relocated the dorsal turret, and added a ventral turret.

During 1937 the Société Avions Marcel Bloch became part of the Société Nationale de Constructions Aéronautiques du Sud-Ouest (SNCASO). A total of 141 machines were delivered to the French Air Force (including the reworked MB.131, 132 and 133 prototypes).

The MB.131 fared poorly against the Luftwaffe. Used for unescorted long range reconnaissance missions many were shot down. As a result, starting in October 1939, aside from a few aircraft in the GR I/36 and II/36 units, they were withdrawn from the front line and relegated to training units.

At the Armistice, 53 were inventoried in unoccupied France and in 1942, the Germans captured 21 that were then scrapped. Photos of German captured aircraft can be found here.

The basic airframe was further developed into the MB.133, powered by Hispano-Suiza 14 Aa radial engines and the tail modified to a twin rather than single vertical stabiliser. It proved uncompetitive with more modern designs and was converted to a standard MB.131 and delivered to the Air Force. Photos of the MB.133 are here.

Following the failure of the MB.133, the Bloch design team developed two improved versions, the MB.134 and the four-engined MB.135.

First prototype Bloch MB.131.01 — Bloch MB.131

Bloch MB.130 Reconnaissance Aircraft

Bloch MB.130 Reconnaissance Aircraft

The Bloch MB.130 was designed in response to a French Air Staff requirement for a fast multi-seat BCR (bomber, combat, reconnaissance) aircraft. First flying on 8 June 1934 at Villacoublay It was designated the MB.130 A. It was powered by two 760hp Gnome-Rhône 14 Kdrs engines and fitted with a fixed, trousered undercarriage.

After a series of tests, it was modified to incorporate a retractable undercarriage, 870hp Gnome-Rhône 14 Kirs/Kjrs engines and a ventral turret extended to the rear. The modified aircraft, redesignated MB 130 B, flew on 3 April 1935.

The Bloch MB.310 did not enter production, as the French Air Force decided to focus on specialised aircraft for different roles. Bloch used the basic airframe from the MB.130 to develop the more advanced MB.311.

Seversky XP-41

Developed for the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC), the Seversky XP-41 was a single-seat fighter aircraft. The last production Seversky P-35 was modified by adding a new streamlined canopy, a Pratt & Whitney R-1830-19 engine with a two-speed supercharger, and revised landing gear. First flying in March 1939 it was developed in parallel with the P-43 Lancer, and work was stopped when the USAAC showed a preference for the latter.