Bloch MB.162
Société Nationale de Constructions Aéronautiques du Sud-Ouest · France · first flew 1940 · bomber
The Bloch MB.162 was a high-performance French four-engined heavy bomber prototype, remarkable for its speed of over 550 km/h — faster than many fighters of the era. It was a promising design overtaken by the Fall of France in 1940.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 4 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 21.91 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- French four-engine heavy bomber prototype of 1940
- Mid-wing monoplane with twin tail fins
- Only one prototype completed before the armistice
A sleek four-engined mid-wing bomber with twin tail fins and an exceptionally clean fuselage — the twin-fin tail distinguishes it from many single-tail French contemporaries.
Specifications
- The Bloch MB.162 has a length of 21.91 m (72 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 28.1 m (92 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 551 km/h (342 mph).
- Typical crew: 6.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The sole prototype first flew on 1 June 1940, just days before France's armistice with Germany. Development was consequently terminated, and the aircraft was not taken into German service. The design represented one of France's most ambitious bomber programmes.
Variants
Only a single prototype was flown; no series production was achieved.
Where you'll see it
Never entered service; the armistice terminated the programme after the first flight.
Related aircraft
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