Bloch MB.120

Manufacturer: Société des Avions Marcel Bloch
First flight: 1930s
Introduction: 1934
Primary users: Air Afrique French Air Force
Number built: 11
Developed from: Bloch MB.71

The Bloch MB.120 was a French three-engine colonial transport aircraft built by Société des Avions Marcel Bloch during the 1930s.

Design and development

The MB.120 design was selected by the French government for transport use in French overseas territories. It was an all-metal high-wing cantilever monoplane. The prototype was re-worked from the MB.71. Standard accommodation was for a crew of three and up to 10 passengers. The civil aircraft normally carried only four passengers, the rest of the aircraft was filled with mail. 10 production aircraft were produced, six for civil use and four for the French Air Force.

Operational history

The aircraft entered operation in 1934 for Air Afrique, which was a new airline set up by the French government on 11 May 1934 to provide service between the French African territories. Both the civil and military aircraft served only in French Africa.

Variants

MB.120.01 : First prototype.
MB.120 : Three-engined colonial transport aircraft. Ten built.

Operators

France

Air Afrique
French Air Force

Specifications (M.B.120)

General characteristics

Crew: 3
Length: 15.30 m (50 ft 2¼ in)
Wingspan: 20.54 m (67 ft 4¾ in)
Height: ()
Wing area: 61 m² (656.62 ft²)
Empty weight: 3,700 kg (8,157 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 6,000 kg (13,288 lb)
Powerplant: 3 x— Lorraine Algol 9Na radial engine, 224 kW (300 hp) each

Performance

Maximum speed: 260 km/h (162 mph)
Service ceiling: 6,300 m (20,670 ft)

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.

Bloch MB.120 Pictures

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Source: WikiPedia