Bloch MB.152-C1
MB.152 No. 198 (Y-685),
Unit: GC II/9 1re escadrille, September 1940
Pilot: unknown
The M.B.150 series began life in answer to the same 1936 specifications that led to the Dewoitine D.520, although Bloch elected to use a relatively untried Gnome-Rhone radial engine. It was designed from the outset as a bomber interceptor, not a pure fighter. The first prototype MB 150 proved to be a disappointing performer. But it was only one of two designs coming close to the specifications and with tensions rising with Germany, it was deemed too late to return to the drawing board. In a series of modifications in 1938-39, first the MB.151 and then the MB.152 with a slightly more powerful engine version were developed. While the MB.151 didn't provide what was wanted, the MB.152 got a little closer. Regardless, in an effort to fill the gap, orders were placed in 1939 for 400 planes, 60 of which were the MB 151 while the rest were the MB.152.
The first planes entered French squadron service in November 1939, while early in 1940 several MB 151s went to the Greek Air Force. When the Germans invaded France in 1940 the MB 151/152 equipped II/1, III/9, II/10, III/10 and II/6 Groupes of the Armee de l'Air and Escadrille AC-3 of the Aeronautique Navale. The MB.152 was effective against the Do-17 and He-111 when it could intercept the bombers without their Bf 109 escort, but it even had difficulty in fighting the Bf 110C. Following the armistice, it was one of the allowed types to equip the Vichy l'Armee de l'Air de l'Armistice. In 1941, it was removed from service and replaced completely by the D.520.
Credits
Captain Kurt: Aircraft model, VC, paint textures, aircraft flight files, and .dp.
The pilot is a mashup of Captain Kurt, Wolfi and Dave Eckert.
Kelticheart: Prop blurred texture.
The panel is by Morton, with CK modifications by permission.
A special credit goes Klein who converted the FXS Restauravia MB152 gauges to CFS2 gauges and to Huub Vink who arranged the Restauravia permission.
Thank you to all of them for their hard work and creativity.
MB.152 No. 198 (Y-685),
Unit: GC II/9 1re escadrille, September 1940
Pilot: unknown
The M.B.150 series began life in answer to the same 1936 specifications that led to the Dewoitine D.520, although Bloch elected to use a relatively untried Gnome-Rhone radial engine. It was designed from the outset as a bomber interceptor, not a pure fighter. The first prototype MB 150 proved to be a disappointing performer. But it was only one of two designs coming close to the specifications and with tensions rising with Germany, it was deemed too late to return to the drawing board. In a series of modifications in 1938-39, first the MB.151 and then the MB.152 with a slightly more powerful engine version were developed. While the MB.151 didn't provide what was wanted, the MB.152 got a little closer. Regardless, in an effort to fill the gap, orders were placed in 1939 for 400 planes, 60 of which were the MB 151 while the rest were the MB.152.
The first planes entered French squadron service in November 1939, while early in 1940 several MB 151s went to the Greek Air Force. When the Germans invaded France in 1940 the MB 151/152 equipped II/1, III/9, II/10, III/10 and II/6 Groupes of the Armee de l'Air and Escadrille AC-3 of the Aeronautique Navale. The MB.152 was effective against the Do-17 and He-111 when it could intercept the bombers without their Bf 109 escort, but it even had difficulty in fighting the Bf 110C. Following the armistice, it was one of the allowed types to equip the Vichy l'Armee de l'Air de l'Armistice. In 1941, it was removed from service and replaced completely by the D.520.
Credits
Captain Kurt: Aircraft model, VC, paint textures, aircraft flight files, and .dp.
The pilot is a mashup of Captain Kurt, Wolfi and Dave Eckert.
Kelticheart: Prop blurred texture.
The panel is by Morton, with CK modifications by permission.
A special credit goes Klein who converted the FXS Restauravia MB152 gauges to CFS2 gauges and to Huub Vink who arranged the Restauravia permission.
Thank you to all of them for their hard work and creativity.
