The Bloch MB.134 made its maiden flight on 22 July 1939. A development of the Bloch MB.131, it was designed as a medium bomber for the French Air Force. Heavily redesigned, it bore little resemblance to the MB.131 it was derived from. It was developed in parallel with the four engined MB.135 bomber version.
A landing accident on 21 April 1940 resulted in seriously damage when a landing gear strut collapsed following the in-flight failure of a hydraulic fluid reservoir. With the fall of France it was not repaired and no further development took place.
The Bloch MB.133 was a French bomber prototype based on the MB.131. It introduced a twin tail, and was powered by Hispano-Suiza 14 Aa radial engines. It proved inferior to more modern aircraft. It was converted to the MB 131 standard and handed over to the Air Force.
Following the failure of the MB.133, the Bloch design team developed two improved versions, the MB.134 and the four-engined MB.135.
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 a 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 As a result, starting in October 1939, aside from a few aircraft in the GR I/36 and II/36 units, they were withdrawn from the front line and relegated to training units.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 French operated aircraft can be found here.
Bloch MB.131 captured after the fall of France June 1940Bloch MB.131 captured after the fall of France June 1940Bloch MB.131 captured after the fall of France June 1940Bloch MB.131 abandoned at Nevers after the fall of France. June 1940Bloch MB.131 abandoned at Nevers after the fall of France. June 1940Captured Bloch MB.131Bloch MB.131 in Luftwaffe markingsBloch MB.131 in Luftwaffe markings
