France's Bloch 131 bomber, reconnaissance bomber

Photos

Bloch 131 RB4 pi bomber:

Design

The Bloch 131 was designed to meet a a 1933 specification for a multi seat, multipurpose aircraft that could perform reconnaissance, bomber, and escort duties.¹ The design work started in 1935.²

The Bloch 131 was clean aerodynamically.¹ The undercarriage retracted.¹ The Bloch 131 was of all metal construction.¹

Prototype

The first Bloch 131 prototype flew on August 12, 1936 / August 16, 1936².^1,2 There was a second prototype that had a crew of five.¹

Production

• Prototypes: 2¹
• Bloch 131 R4: 13¹
• Bloch 131 Ins: 5¹
• Bloch 131 RB4: 119¹
• Total: 121², 139¹
  • Manufacturer: SNCASO²
  • Production: June 1938 - ?²

Variants

• Prototypes: Had Gnome-Rhône 14K radial engines (900 HP) initially.¹ Replaced by Gnome-Rhône 14N radial engine (950 HP).¹
• Bloch 131 R4: First production aircraft.¹ First flew in May 1938.¹ Used only for reconnaissance.¹
• Bloch 131 Ins: Trainer with dual controls.¹
• Bloch 131 RB4: Had internal bomb bay.¹ Main wheels were larger than the R4.¹ Armament was also increased.¹
• Bloch 133: Prototype with Hispano-Suiza engines.¹ The tail had twin fins and rudders.¹ Only one produced.¹

Usage

Armée de l'Air started to receive the Bloch 131s in September 1938.¹ The Bloch 131s performed so poorly that they were sent to reconnaissance squadrons.²

Start of World War II

There was one reconnaissance group in North Africa and six groups in France.¹

The Bloch 131s were used in daytime reconnaissance missions over Germany, but due to heavy casualties they were switched to night missions.¹

Replaced

The Potez 63 replaced the Bloch 131s in all the units located in France by May 1940.¹

Vichy France

The Vichy French used the remaining Bloch 131s as target tugs.^1,2

Specifications

	Bloch 1311,2	Bloch 131 RB41
Type	Bomber2, Reconnaissance bomber1
Crew	41,2
Engine (Type)	2: Gnome-Rhône 14N1,2
Cylinders	Radial 141,2
Cooling	Air2
Net HP	870 each2, 950 each1
Propeller blades	3 each1
Dimensions
Span	66' 6"1,2 20.27 m1
Length	58' 6"2, 58' 7"1 17.85 m1
Height	13' 5"1,2 4.09 m1
Wing area
Weight
Empty		10,340 lb1 4,690 kg1
Normal load		17,438 lb1 7,910 kg1
Loaded	18,960 lb2	18,960 lb1 8,600 kg1
Performance
Speed at sea level		188 mph1 302 kph1
Speed @ 12,300' / 3,750 m	217 mph2	217 mph1 350 kph1
Cruising speed		168 mph1 270 kph1
Climb to 13,120' / 4,000 m		13 minutes1
Service ceiling	23,785'2	23,785'1 7,250 m1
Range	808 miles2	620 miles1 998 kg1
Range - maximum		808 miles1 1,300 km1
Armament	3: MG2
Nose	1: 7.5 mm MG1
Dorsal turret	1: 7.5 mm MG1
Ventral gondola	1: 7.5 mm MG1
Bombs	1,760 lb2, 1,764 lb1 800 kg1