Bloch MB.131
| Company type | Aircraft manufacturer |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Founded | 1930s |
| Fate | Merged into SNCASO |
| Headquarters | France |
| Products | Military aircraft, including Bloch MB.130 family |
The Bloch MB.130 family consisted of French monoplane reconnaissance-bomber aircraft developed during the 1930s. They participated briefly in early World War II operations but were outdated and suffered significant casualties when facing the Luftwaffe. Following France’s defeat, several units were operated by the Luftwaffe.
Design and development
The MB.130 was developed in response to a French Aviation Ministry specification issued in August 1933 for a reconnaissance and tactical bomber. This aircraft featured an all-metal construction, twin engines, a low-wing monoplane design, and retractable landing gear. Its armament included three flexible machine gun positions located in the nose, dorsal turret, and ventral gondola. The prototype made its maiden flight on 29 June 1934. Despite only moderate performance, production commenced with an order of forty units placed in October 1935. The upgraded MB.131 first flew on 16 August 1936 but required additional modifications. A considerably redesigned second prototype, flown on 5 May 1937, served as the foundation for series production, which was carried out by SNCASO, the company formed after Bloch merged with Blériot. Overall production totaled 143 aircraft.
MB.135
Derived from the MB.134, the MB.135 was a four-engine variant equipped with four Gnome-Rhône 14M radial engines while retaining a similar airframe design. Only a single prototype was constructed, completing its first flight on 12 January 1939.
Operational history
The MB.131 was introduced into service in June 1938, equipping seven reconnaissance groups—six stationed within metropolitan France and one based in North Africa. Early daylight reconnaissance sorties over Germany during the war resulted in heavy losses, prompting a shift to night missions that still incurred notable attrition rates. By May 1940, all units based in metropolitan France had transitioned to Potez 63.11 aircraft; only the North African group continued frontline operations with MB.131s. After the Battle of France, remaining aircraft under Vichy control were assigned to target towing duties. Twenty-one non-operational aircraft were seized by the , with indications that a limited number were employed by Nazi forces.
Variants
- MB.130.01
- Initial prototype powered by two Gnome-Rhône 14Kdrs engines
- MB.131.01
- First prototype equipped with two Gnome-Rhône 14N-10 engines
- MB.131.02
- Second prototype featuring modified wings, tail assembly, and fuselage
- MB.131R4
- Early production model with a single central machine gun; thirteen built (some sources mention fourteen)
- MB.131Ins
- Instructor variant with dual controls; five units produced
- MB.131RB4
- Reconnaissance-bomber accommodating four crew members, incorporating an internal bomb bay and updated systems; total of 121 built including two converted prototypes (some references state one hundred)
- MB.133
- Prototype featuring a redesigned tail section; one unit built
- MB.134
- Prototype powered by two Hispano-Suiza 14AA engines; one constructed
- MB.135
- Four-engine version derived from MB.134 using four Gnome-Rhône 14M radial engines
- MB.136
Operators
- French Air Force operated a total of 141 aircraft.
- Vichy French Air Force utilized some of these planes.
- Luftwaffe employed captured examples for limited purposes.