The Bloch MB.162 was a

French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...

four-engine, long-range bomber developed by Société des Avions Marcel Bloch in the late 1930s. Only a single

prototype A prototype is an early sample, model, or release of a product built to test a concept or process. It is a term used in a variety of contexts, including semantics, design, electronics, and Software prototyping, software programming. A prototyp ...

was built; after capture by

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ger ...

forces, it was pressed into service with the '' Luftwaffe'' as a transport.

Development

Developed from the speedy MB.160 long-range civil transport, the MB.162 was originally developed as a mail plane. The MB.162 01 bomber prototype first flew in June 1940 and was captured subsequent to the Armistice. Had the MB.162 entered production in 1941 as planned, it would have been a notable and fast heavy bomber for the French, somewhat analogous to the B-17 but much faster and less well-armed.

Operational history

The MB.162 did not fly a single combat mission, nor did the MB.162 B.5 production model ever enter production. The prototype was used by the ''Luftwaffe'' in '' I/KG 200'' for clandestine affairs during 1943–1944.

Variants

MB.160: :civil transport prototype with smaller span, longer, single central fin. Three built. ; MB.161: produced postwar as airliner SE.161 Languedoc. 100 built ; MB.162 Raid :Long-range mailplane version ; MB.162.01 :prototype, one built ; MB.162 Bn.5 :Production model - never produced

Military operators

; * ''

Armee de l'Air The French Air and Space Force (AAE) (french: Armée de l'air et de l'espace, ) is the air and space force of the French Armed Forces. It was the first military aviation force in history, formed in 1909 as the , a service arm of the French Army; ...

'' (postwar) ; * '' Luftwaffe''

Specifications (MB.162 B5)

Notes

Bibliography

* Green, William. ''War Planes of the Second World War: Bombers and Reconnaissance Aircraft, Volume Seven''. London: Macdonald, 1967.

External links

Aviafrance
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bloch Mb.162 MB.162 Four-engined tractor aircraft 1930s French airliners 1930s French bomber aircraft Low-wing aircraft Aircraft first flown in 1940 Four-engined piston aircraft