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France's Bloch 210 night bomber; Bloch 210 medium bomber

Photos

Bloch 210 bomber:
France's Bloch MB 210 bomber		 Bloch 210BN5 bomber:
France's Bloch 210BN5 bomber		    

Design

The Bloch 210 was all metal and had a slab sided fuselage.1 The Bloch 210 was a private venture.1

The Bloch 210 was a low wing bomber.2

Prototype

On November 23, 1934 the Bloch 210 prototype took to the air.1,2

The Bloch MB 211 prototype flew for the first time in August 1935.1

Production

  • Prototype: 11
  • Bloch 210 BN4/5: 2811
  • Bloch MB 211 Verdun: 11
  • Total: 2532, 2831
    • Manufacturer: Bloch1, Breguet1, Hanriot1, Potez-CAMS1, Renault1, SNCAC1, SNCASO2

Variants

  • Prototype: Had two Gnome-Rhône 14drs radial engines (800 HP).1 The prototype had a fixed undercarriage.1
  • Bloch 210: Had a retractable undercarriage.1
  • Bloch 210 BN4: Production model first flew in December 1935.1
  • Bloch 210 BN5: Last of production was delivered in March 1939.1
  • Bloch 210??: The prototype was fitted with twin bloats in 1936 to become a torpedo floatplane.1
  • Bloch MB 211 Verdun: Prototype.1

Usage

The Bloch 210 was used by Bulgaria, France, Germany, Romania, and Spain.1 Romania received 24 and Spain 35.1 After the surrender of France Bulgaria received 37 in 1942.1

A total of 45 Bloch 210s were sold to foreign countries.2

Prepared for World War II

There were twelve Armée de l'Air groups equipped with the Bloch 210 in September 1939.1 By the German invasion in May 1940 there were five groups.1

Attacks

The Bloch 210s were used to attack German communication lines in the Rhineland, Belgium, and France.1

Specifications

  Bloch 2101,2 Bloch 210 BN51
Type Medium bomber2, Medium night bomber1  
Crew 51,2  
Engine (Type) 2: Gnome-Rhône 14 N2 2: Gnome-Rhône 14N 10/111
Cylinders Radial 142 Radial 141
Cooling Air2  
Net HP 950 each2 950 each1
Propeller blades   3 each1
Dimensions    
Span 74' 10"1,2
22.81 m1 		 
Length 61' 9"1,2
18.82 m1 		 
Height 22'1,2
6.7 m1 		 
Wing area    
Weight    
Empty   14,110 lb1
6,400 kg1
Loaded   21,385 lb1
9,700 kg1
Maximum load 22,487 lb2 22,487 lb1
10,200 kg1
Performance    
Speed @ 11,480' /
3,500 m 		200 mph2 200 mph1
322 kph1
Cruising speed   149 mph1
240 kph1
Climb to 13,120' /
4,000 m		   12 minutes1
Service ceiling 32,480'2 32,480'1
10,000 m1
Range with 3,806 lb /
1,728 kg load 		  808 miles1
1,300 km1
Maximum range 808 miles2 1,056 miles1
1,700 km1
Armament 3: MG2  
Nose, dorsal, ventral turrets 3: 7.5 mm MG1  
Bombs 3,527 lb1,2
1,600 kg1 		 

Sources:

  1. Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
  2. World War II Airplanes Volume 1, Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi, 1976