Bloch MB.174
Avions Marcel Bloch · France · first flew 1939 · bomber
The Bloch MB.174 was France's finest reconnaissance bomber of the Second World War, fast enough to outrun many Luftwaffe fighters it encountered over France in May–June 1940. Its high performance made it something of a national pride in an otherwise bleak period for French aviation.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Slim oval-section fuselage with extensively glazed nose and crew nacelle |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Fast twin-engine French reconnaissance bomber rated the best French aircraft of 1940
- Slim oval-section fuselage with extensively glazed nose and crew nacelle
- Gnome-Rhône 14N radial engines in well-faired nacelles under a straight-tapered wing
Distinguished by its twin Gnome-Rhône radial engines, extensively glazed nose section, and a notably slender fuselage; the mid-mounted straight-tapered wings and twin-bladed propellers are characteristic.
Specifications
- The Bloch MB.174 has a length of 12.25 m (40 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 17.9 m (59 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 530 km/h (329 mph).
- Typical crew: 3.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed from 1937 as a high-speed reconnaissance aircraft, the MB.174 first flew in January 1939 and entered Armée de l'Air service in early 1940. During the Battle of France its crews flew dangerous long-range photographic missions over Germany and occupied territories, often escaping interception through sheer speed.
Variants
The MB.175 was a dedicated light bomber development with more defensive armament; the MB.175T later served postwar as a torpedo bomber. Total production was modest, around 56 MB.174s completed before the armistice.
Where you'll see it
Served with the Armée de l'Air's reconnaissance groups in 1940 and with Free French forces thereafter; the torpedo-bomber MB.175T remained in French naval service into the early 1950s.
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