Bloch MB.210
Bloch · France · first flew 1934 · bomber
The Bloch MB.210 was a French twin-engine heavy bomber that equipped the Armée de l'Air in the late 1930s. Despite being obsolescent by the outbreak of World War II, it formed a substantial part of French bomber strength in 1939–40.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Bulky fuselage with glazed nose and turret positions |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin radial-engine French inter-war bomber
- Fixed spatted undercarriage on early versions
- Bulky fuselage with glazed nose and turret positions
The MB.210 is characterised by its large, slab-sided fuselage, twin radial engines in prominent cowlings on a mid-mounted tapered wing, and fixed spatted undercarriage on early marks.
Specifications
- The Bloch MB.210 has a length of 18.9 m (62 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 22.8 m (75 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 322 km/h (200 mph).
- Typical crew: 5–6.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1934, the MB.210 entered service in 1936 and was the Armée de l'Air's primary bomber for several years. By 1939 it was clearly outclassed by modern fighters but continued in front-line service out of necessity. Romania and Spain also operated the type.
Variants
Variants differed mainly in engine fit, with Gnome-Rhône 14K or Pratt & Whitney Hornet radials. A float-equipped seaplane variant was evaluated but not adopted.
Where you'll see it
Served with French bomber groups until the fall of France in June 1940. Romanian examples saw combat on the Eastern Front. No airworthy examples survive today.
Related aircraft
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