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Aviation History
1940
1940 - 1521.PDF
A Flight copyright study of a Bloch 152 as now in service with the French Air Force. THE BLOCH FIGHTERS Sturdy, Radial-engined Single-seaters FIGHTERS of Marcel Bloch design have been in pro-duction for over a year at the Deols-Chateaurouxfactory of the Societe Nationale de Construc- tions-Aeronautics de Sud-Ouest (S.N.C.A.S.O.). In the main the machines have been of the 152 series (Gnome- Rhone 14N 21), which is similar, except for the engine, to the 151 (Gnome-Rhone 14N 11). Both these types are direct developments of the Bloch 150 which appeared in 1937 with a direct-drive Gndme-Rhone engine. The geared 14N unit was first installed early in 1938 and the following month the prototype, still the pro- perty of M. Marcel Bloch, underwent its initial firing tests at Cazaux. Two 20 mm. Hispano - Suiza shell-guns were installed in the wings, and it is claimed that excep- tionally good results were obtained thanks to the design of the mountings and the stiffness of the wing structure. In April, 1938, the prototype BLOCH 152 C.I Gndme-Rhdne 14N 21 Engine DIMENSIONS Span ... ... 34ft. Tin. Length 29ft. 8Jin. Height 13ft. Wing area ... 186.5 sq. ft. PERFORMANCE lop speed 323 m. p. hApproximate range . ... . 465 miles Landing speed ... 63 m.p.li. was demonstrated to a commission and a series of twenty- five machines were ordered. At the same time a tentative order for 475 additional machines was placed. The official designation of the machine at that time was Bloch 150-C.A.1 (chasse et d'assaut, mcnoplace) employment both as a fighter and a ground attack being visualised. An experimental installation of a Pratt and Whitney Twin Wasp was then made in one aircraft. Shortly afterwards the prototype 150 was abandoned in the air when its retract- able undercarriage jammed. It was stated before the outbreak of war that it appeared that Bloch fighters would '' soon be coming from the factory at the rate of 100 a month.'' Certainly a use- ful quantity is now in service, and mention has lately been made of a Bloch 155, which may be a developed type. The low cantilever wing of the 151 and 152 is built in WEIGHTS AND LOADINGSWeight empty (approx.) ... 4,375 1b.Weight loaded (approx.) ... 5,8431b. Wiug loading ... 31.4 lb./sq. ft.
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