Bloch MB.210
| Industry | Aerospace |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1930s |
| Headquarters | France |
The Bloch MB.210 and MB.211 represented the next generation of French Bloch MB.200 bomber aircraft, developed during the 1930s by Société des Avions Marcel Bloch. These models were distinguished by their shift from a high wing to a low wing monoplane configuration.
Development
Building upon the design of the MB.200, the MB.210 introduced a cantilever wing positioned low on the fuselage along with a retractable landing gear system. Its initial prototype took flight on 23 November 1934, powered by two 596 kW (800 hp) Gnome-Rhône 14Kdrs air-cooled radial engines and equipped with fixed landing gear. The second prototype, known as the MB.211 Verdun, first flew on 29 August 1935 and was fitted with more powerful 641 kW (860 hp) Hispano-Suiza 12Y V-12 liquid-cooled inline engines and retractable landing gear; nevertheless, unsatisfactory test outcomes prevented this variant from entering production.
Following these early challenges, the Armée de l'Air commissioned series production of the MB.210, with the inaugural production aircraft flying on 12 December 1936. The type suffered from insufficient power and persistent engine overheating, which resulted in grounding until more dependable Gnome-Rhône 14N engines were installed after evaluations in summer 1937. Overall, 257 units were manufactured by several companies including Les Mureaux, Potez-CAMS, Breguet, Hanriot, and Renault.
Operational history
By September 1939, twelve bomber groups within the Armée de l'Air operated the Bloch MB.210. During the German offensive against France in spring 1940, these units were in the process of reorganizing to retire outdated aircraft. Up until the armistice signed on 25 June, the MB.210 remained in limited use conducting night bombing sorties before being reassigned to missions in North Africa.
Variants
- MB.210.01
- Initial prototype powered by two 596 kW (800 hp) Gnome-Rhône 14Kdrs / Gnome-Rhône 14Kgrs air-cooled radial engines
- MB.210Bn.4
- First production model equipped with two Gnome-Rhône 14N-10 / Gnome-Rhône 14N-11 radial engines
- MB.210Bn.5
- Hanriot-produced version featuring an extra crew member
- MB.210H
- Seaplane adaptation powered by two Gnome-Rhône 14Kirs engines
- MB.211.01
- Prototype fitted with two 641 kW (860 hp) Hispano-Suiza 12Y inline engines
- MB.212
- Development project
- MB.218
- Development project
Operators
- Bulgarian Air Force – Procured six aircraft from Germany.
- Luftwaffe – Briefly used for training purposes in 1942 following Germany's occupation of France
- Royal Romanian Air Force – Delivered ten aircraft out of an order for twenty-four.
- Spain
- Operated at least three aircraft within the Spanish Republican Air Force.