In this suggestion we’ll be looking at the first production model of the M.B.150 family, the M.B.151
The Bloch MB151 was the further development of the MB150. The latter had been one of the winners of a 1934 requirement set out by the French air force for a new fighter aircraft. The other winner of this competition being the M.S.406. The first iteration of the 150 attempted to take to the skies in the summer of 1935, but failed to do so. This led to a redesign of the vehicle, with the new model actually taking off in October of 1937.
Mass production of the aircraft subsequently started, but the 150 was deemed impossible to mass-produce. More redesign followed and 2 models resulted of this, the 151 and 152. The 151 set itself apart from the 152 by having a weaker engine (the Gnome-Rhône 14N11 which produced 895-910 hp) and a less potent armament of 4x 7.5mm MAC 34 machine guns.
The 151 never managed to reach its promised top-speed and an issue with cooling further hampered its already mediocre performance. Nonetheless, the production run of the aircraft reached 140 units. Due to their poor performance, they were mostly relegated to training units, with the improved 152s becoming the actual frontline fighters.
An order from Greece for both the 151 and 152 variants was received, 9 were delivered to Greece before the fall of France.
After France surrendered, the remaining vehicles either stayed in service with the Vichy-French air force or were seized by the Germans. The fate of the M.B.151s is mostly unknown unfortunately, by judging by the history of the 152s, some were probably shipped to Germany for analysis and later use as trainers.
General Characteristics:
Length: 9.10 m
Width: 10.5 m
Height: 3.95 m
Wing surface area: 15.5 m^2
Powerplant: 1x Gnome-Rhône 14N11 which produced 895-910 hp
Maximum speed: 460 km/h
Empty weight: 2097 kg
Total weight: 2522 kg
Armament:
4x 7.5mm MAC 34 machine guns
Place in-game:
Given its mediocre performance even at the time of its conception, the M.B.151 would probably best be suited as a low rank aircraft (BR 1.3 -1.7). This is further enforced by its rather limited armament of 4x 7.5mm machine guns. As a mass-produced aircraft, I definitely feel like it should be represented in-game, as should be easily accessible to most players, either by being researchable or by being a GE premium. It would be unfortunate to repeat the M.B.152 situation where a mass-produced French fighters becomes almost unavailable to the people who would want to play it.
I do feel that the pre- and early-war French aviation is currently under-represented in-game, so no matter how this vehicle would come to the game, I and surely others too would be very happy to see it arrive.
AFAIK Greek MB151 did get some kills on German and Italian bombers. Most of them, affected to the defense of the Attiki (Athens region) area, were unfortunately destroyed on the ground in Luftwaffe bombing raids.
Well sadly it looks like they made the same choice for the M.B. 151 according to the last leak list…
Such a waste for an iconic familly of French aircraft during WW2, the M.B. 155 is now the last hope for the tech tree…
Yeah I’ve seen the news unfortunately. I’m honestly speechless on this decision, especially with so many actual prototype options available for such events.
Ridiculous considering how many prototypes from this era existed. The SNCAO CAO.200 is even in the files. Instead they opt to add a serial produced aircraft as a reward. I’m so unbelievably annoyed by this decision.
Hi @Smin1080p_WT, could you tell us if at the least the M.B. 155 is considered by the devs as a regular addition for the french tech tree in the future ? It is really weird to have only the last prototype (M.B. 157) of this familly of aircrafts which were mass produced and even were used during WW2. I saw your post about what is planned for the BMD-4 familly. We have a similar case here.
Yeah I’ve noticed. Thing appears to have gotten a similar flight model to the VB10 where it climbs and turns like shit but gains speed like a rocket in the dive. Very mediocre plane rn even at 1.7
Yeah, they really did the engine dirty. I know it had cooling problems but they really made it as bad as it can get, with the awful speed and lightning fast overheating at wep. Objectively, the CR 714 has the same armament and has better low altitude speed, acceleration, energy retention and agility. All of that at 1.3. Only thing it has going for it is the tankiness above what you can find at this br, even if it isn’t that useful. Clearly not 1.7 material.
