Bloch M.B. 152

Back in 1939, the French Air Ministry wanted a new fighter and held a design competition to see what it might stir up. Among the contenders were Dewoitine, Loire, Morane-Saulnier, Nieuport, and Avions Marcel Bloch. The winner was eventually determined to be Morane-Saulinier. Bloch was a contender on paper only, for the airplane that they had designed and built just didn't want to leave the ground. After nine months, and some design changes that included a strengthened wing with a greater surface area, improved landing gear, and 940 hp Gnome-Rhone 14No radial engine with a three bladed constant speed propeller, the aircraft that some called an "ugly duckling" (personally I like the looks of it!) took to the air. Thus the M.B. 150.01 was born. Soon after however, it was realized that the aircraft was unsuited for mass production, which is a definite must for a warplane. At the same time, the design team was already working on an improved version, but this only amounted to an increase in engine size and did nothing to improve the production limitations of the aircraft.

By the outbreak of WW II in 1939, only 120 M.B. 151's and M.B. 152's were on hand, and even then, they could not be used for combat, for they had not been equipped with gun sights. 95 of the aircraft could not be flown at all for the props had not been delivered with the planes.

Despite all the production problems of petty differences and political intrigue, the Armee de l'Air did all they could to speed the production of this potentially valuable fighter aircraft. An experimental squadron was formed in September of 1939, and deliveries began the following month to various fighter groups. When production finally ended, more than 600 of these aircraft had been built. When units were re-equipped with Dewoitine fighters, the 151's and the 152's were handed over to the Romanian Air Force.

Specifications:

Bloch M.B. 152 - Single seat fighter
Power plant: A 1,080 hp Gnome-Rhone 14N-25 or 1,100 hp 14N-49 radial piston engine.
Performance: Max Speed - 320 mph at 13,125 feet, Max Cruise Speed - 280 mph, Service Ceiling of 32,810 feet, and a range of 373 miles.
Weight: Empty - 4,453 pounds, Max take off weight of 5,908 pounds.
Armament: four 7.5 mm machine guns, or two 7.5 mm guns and two 20 mm cannon.