Bloch MB.210

The Bloch MB.210 was derived from the MB.2 00 and differed primarily by a low instead of high-set cantilever wing and having a retractable undercarriage.

Developed as a private venture, the prototype MB.210 accomplished its first flight on 23 November 1934, powered by two 596 kW (800 hp) Gnome-Rhône 14Kdrs air-cooled radial engines and having a fixed undercarriage. This was followed by a second prototype, the MB.211 Verdun, powered by 641 kW (860 hp) Hispano-Suiza 12Y V-12 liquid-cooled inlines and fitted with a retractable undercarriage, on 29 August 1935. Initial flight testing of this version was somewhat disappointing, so no further examples were built. Further progress with the MB.210, however, convinced the Armée de l’Air to order series production, the first example of which flew on 12 December 1936.

The satisfaction did not last very long, however, since it was underpowered and the engines of production aircraft were inclined to overheating. The type was grounded until its engines could be replaced by the more powerful and reliable Gnome-Rhône 14N. In total, 257 units were manufactured amongst companies as diverse as Les Mureaux over Potez-CAMS, Breguet, Hanriot, and Renault.

Operational History

In September 1939, the Bloch MB.210 equipped 12 bomber units of the Armée de l’Air. At the time of Nazi Germany’s attack on France in spring 1940, these squadrons were in the middle of a restructuring aimed at removing outdated aircraft from the front line. Up to the armistice on 25 June of the same year, the MB.210 was used for nighttime bombing missions before relocating to North Africa.

Following the German occupation of France, a number of MB.210 aircraft were operated briefly by the Luftwaffe for training. A small number were operated by Bulgaria and Romania, with Spain also receiving three aircraft.

Bloch MB.210 in French Service

Bloch MB.210 No 33 of the 2nd Escadrille of GB II/21 in 1939 — Bloch MB.210 Second Prototype

Bloch MB.210 in Romanian Service

Romania ordered 24 Bloch 210s in 1938, eventually receiving between 10 and 20 from this order for the Royal Romanian Air Force (ARR). In June 1941, when Romania entered WW2, the MB.210s although obsolete still equipped the 82nd Bomber Squadron. They performed relatively well during the Bassarabian campaign, but in early 1942 were withdrawn from frontline service and relegated to transport duties.