Bloch MB.131
Bloch · France · first flew 1934 · bomber
The Bloch MB.131 was a French twin-engine reconnaissance bomber developed in the mid-1930s and operated by the Armée de l'Air during the early part of the Second World War. It proved slow and underpowered by 1940 standards.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 17.85 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- French 1930s twin-engine medium bomber
- Extensively glazed nose and dorsal gun positions
- Retractable undercarriage
A twin-engine mid-wing monoplane with extensive nose glazing, a deep fuselage, and retractable undercarriage. The heavily glazed crew positions and angular fuselage cross-section are distinctive.
Specifications
- The Bloch MB.131 has a length of 17.85 m (59 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 20.27 m (67 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 349 km/h (217 mph).
- Typical crew: 4-5.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Ordered by the Armée de l'Air in the mid-1930s, the MB.131 entered service but was already obsolescent by the outbreak of war. During the Battle of France in 1940, MB.131s flew reconnaissance missions despite their vulnerability to German fighters.
Variants
Several sub-variants were produced with different engine and equipment fits; the main production versions were the MB.131 RB.4 reconnaissance-bomber and the MB.131 R.4 pure reconnaissance type.
Where you'll see it
The MB.131 served with the Armée de l'Air from the late 1930s through the fall of France in 1940; it was withdrawn from front-line service quickly due to heavy losses.
Related aircraft
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