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Bloch MB.174 in German Service

Bloch MB.174 in Luftwaffe markings

Bloch MB.174 in German Service

The Bloch MB.170 was a prototype bomber and reconnaissance aircraft designed for the French Air Force. The first of two prototypes first flew on 15 February 1938 and was designed to fill the role of either a two-seat attack bomber or a three-seat reconnaissance aircraft. The second prototype, was a three seat bomber, with the ventral cupola removed, a revised canopy and larger tail fins.

After evaluation and many modifications, the second prototype was chosen for production as the MB.174 light bomber. The Air Force placed an order for 50 aircraft, with the first one entering service in March 1940. The MB.174 replaced the Potez 637 that had proved too vulnerable in the reconnaissance role during the Phoney war.

Replacing the MB.174 on the production line was the MB.175. This bomber version incorporated a longer and wider fuselage, to enable larger bombs to be carried. Bombs of 100 to 200kg cold now be carried, whereas the MB.174 was limited to bombs of only 50kg.

Only 25 MB.175 aircraft were delivered before the Armistice. At this time, most MB.174 and MB.175s had been relocated to North Africa. During the Vichy period, MB.174s frequently flew over Gibraltar to monitor the British fleet.

After the Armistice, the Germans found several MB.174s and 175s and used for pilot training. Production of the MB.175 version recommenced under the German occupation, with the aircraft exported to Germany for use by the Luftwaffe as trainers.

To avert a potential supply shortfall of French engines, a version was designed to use Pratt & Whitney R-1830 radials. This MB.176 proved to have poorer performance than the 175, but went into production anyway. In reality the supply of American engines proved difficult and only five were delivered before the armistice.

To enable the use of Hispano-Suiza 12Y31 engines, the MB.177 incorporated redesigned engine mounts. The engines proved to be underpowered. The sole example was captured by German forces and taken to Rechlin for evaluation.

After the war, SNCASO resumed production of the MB.175 for the Aéronavale as a torpedo bomber designated MB.175T (later SO.175T).

Bloch MB.170 Family Menu

Bloch MB.170 French Reconnaissance Bomber

Bloch MB.170 First Prototype

Bloch MB.170 French Reconnaissance Bomber

The Bloch MB.170 was a prototype bomber and reconnaissance aircraft designed for the French Air Force. The first of two prototypes first flew on 15 February 1938 and was designed to fill the role of either a two-seat attack bomber or a three-seat reconnaissance aircraft. The second prototype, was a three seat bomber, with the ventral cupola removed, a revised canopy and larger tail fins.

After evaluation and many modifications, the second prototype was chosen for production as the MB.174 light bomber. The Air Force placed an order for 50 aircraft, with the first one entering service in March 1940. The MB.174 replaced the Potez 637 that had proved too vulnerable in the reconnaissance role during the Phoney war.

Replacing the MB.174 on the production line was the MB.175. This bomber version incorporated a longer and wider fuselage, to enable larger bombs to be carried. Bombs of 100 to 200kg cold now be carried, whereas the MB.174 was limited to bombs of only 50kg.

Only 25 MB.175 aircraft were delivered before the Armistice. At this time, most MB.174 and MB.175s had been relocated to North Africa. During the Vichy period, MB.174s frequently flew over Gibraltar to monitor the British fleet.

After the Armistice, the Germans found several MB.174s and 175s and used for pilot training. Production of the MB.175 version recommenced under the German occupation, with the aircraft exported to Germany for use by the Luftwaffe as trainers.

To avert a potential supply shortfall of French engines, a version was designed to use Pratt & Whitney R-1830 radials. This MB.176 proved to have poorer performance than the 175, but went into production anyway. In reality the supply of American engines proved difficult and only five were delivered before the armistice.

To enable the use of Hispano-Suiza 12Y31 engines, the MB.177 incorporated redesigned engine mounts. The engines proved to be underpowered. The sole example was captured by German forces and taken to Rechlin for evaluation.

After the war, SNCASO resumed production of the MB.175 for the Aéronavale as a torpedo bomber designated MB.175T (later SO.175T).

Bloch MB.170 Family Menu

Italian Battleship Giulio Cesare

Giulio Cesare after her reconstruction

Italian Battleship Giulio Cesare

Completed on 14 May 1914, Giulio Cesare was a Conte di Cavour-class dreadnought battleships built for the Regia Marina (Royal Italian Navy). She saw little service during the First World War, spending most of her time in port, ready to sortie if the Austro-Hungarian battlefleet sought a decisive engagement.

During the inter-war period, she was heavily rebuilt. Her main 305mm guns were re-bored to 320mm, her machinery upgraded and additional armour added. The result was an increase from 23,000 tonnes to 29,000 tonnes. Despite this, the new machinery increased her speed from 21.5 knots to 27 knots.

Early in the Second World War, Giulio Cesare took part in the Battle of Calabria (also known as the Battle of Punta Stilo) during which she was struck by a shell from HMS Warspite. This damaged her funnel and reduced her speed, forcing the Italians to break off the engagement.

She was present at Taranto on the night of 11 November 1940, when the Royal Navy launched an air attack. During the attack, her sister ship Conte di Cavour was sunk, Duilo badly damaged and run-aground and Littorio severely damaged. Giulio Cesare however remained undamaged.

For the remainder of her active duty, she escorted convoys to Africa. From January 1942 she was reduced to a training ship. After the Italian surrender she was interned at Malta, where she stayed until 17 June 1944.

Post war, she was allocated to Russia as part of war reparations and renamed Novorossiysk. On the night of 28/29 October 1955 an explosion ripped a 4-by-14-meter (13 by 46 ft) hole in the forecastle forward of ‘A’ turret. The flooding could not be controlled, and she capsized with the loss of 617 men, including 61 men sent from other ships to assist. The most likely cause of the explosion was determined to be a World War Two German mine.

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Giulio Cesare Under Construction

Giulio Cesare Before Reconstruction

Giulio Cesare After Reconstruction

Giulio Cesare at the Battle of Calabria

Giulio Cesare As Novorossiysk