Bloch MB.162
| Industry | Aerospace |
|---|---|
| Founder | Marcel Bloch |
| Headquarters | France |
The Bloch MB.162 was a French long-range bomber equipped with four engines, developed during the late 1930s by Société des Avions Marcel Bloch. Only a single prototype was completed; following its capture by German forces, it was repurposed by the Luftwaffe as a transport aircraft.
Development
Originally, the MB.162 designation applied to a long-distance variant of the MB.160 four-engine colonial airliner, which utilized four Gnome-Rhône 14P powerplants. This "MB.162 Raid" version was designed to serve as a mail carrier and long-range communication aircraft, with plans to participate in the 1937 Istres–Damascus–Paris Air Race. However, delays in development prevented its timely completion, leading to cancellation of the project and continuation with the MB.160 prototype instead.
The bomber prototype, known as MB.162 01, made its maiden flight in June 1940 but was seized after the Armistice. Had it entered production as scheduled in 1941, the MB.162 would have stood out as a fast heavy bomber for France, rivaling the B-17 Flying Fortress in speed but featuring lighter defensive armament.
Operational history
No combat sorties were conducted by the MB.162, and the planned MB.162 B.5 production variant never reached manufacturing. The sole prototype was employed by the Luftwaffe within I/KG 200 for covert missions during 1943 and 1944.
Variants
- civil transport prototype characterized by a reduced wingspan, extended fuselage, and a single central vertical stabilizer; three units built.
- MB.161
- postwar airliner known as SE.161 Languedoc, with 100 produced.
- MB.162 Raid
- version intended for long-distance mail delivery.
- MB.162.01
- single prototype bomber constructed.
- MB.162 Bn.5
- proposed production bomber model that was never manufactured.
Military operators
- Armee de l'Air (postwar service)