Bloch 133

[bearoutwest]

I found this image in the April 1944 issue of Flying (US) magazine.

It is noted as a Bloch 133, and has distinct similarities to the Bloch 131 medium bomber. Does anyone know much about it?

Is it a trial development of the poor performing Bloch 131? Or is it sometihing like an aerial test-bed for the later Bloch 174/175 family of light-mediums?

Regards,
...geoff

[Stig Jarlevik]

Geoff

The Bloch 133 was a contemporary derivative of the Bloch 130 design, not a development of the MB 131. It was initially built with a single tailfin but modified later with the twin fins as per your photo.

As with most things French the development of the MB 130-134 familly is complex and even French sources state slightly different things even within the same article!

However the engine choice used in the MB 133 was dropped and obviously the twin fins gave no advantage since no production of that model was authorized.
Initially it was proposed that the MB 132 was to be built side by side with the MB 131 but this was cancelled and all production aircraft No 3 to No 142 were MB 131s

Cheers
Stig

[bearoutwest]

Thanks Stig.

Yes, very complex indeed. My only reference is Green's old "Bombers & Reconnaissance Aircraft" (Vol-7) which mentions the Bloch 131 extensively, ignores the 130 and 132-133. It does mention the Bloch 134 which seems to be a totally revamped design - almost resembling a scaled up Bloch 174 with a LeO 451 tail. The twin tail seems to be only common thing with the 133.

Oh well....to be filed amongst the rare exotica.

Regards,
...geoff

[Stig Jarlevik]

Geoff

In defence of Bill Green, he does mention the Bloch 130M on page 93 (right hand column), and the Bloch 133 at page 97 + a photo on page 94! Those small books are still very cherished by me and I still look into them for a quick check up on things!

Since the Bloch 130 was totally outmoded in every respect (it didn't even help to give it a retractable undercarriage), Bloch made a complete re-design of the concept and produced, with typical Gallic frenzy, a totally new design in three different versions, and if I have got it right, the basic difference was their engines.

I also notice your confusion regarding the Type 134. That is shared by me as well. If I have understood the whole thing correct, there were two Types 134! One was a pure bomber version of the basic 131 design while the other (as shown in Green's book) was a totally different design. I know absolutely nothing about Type 134(1)....

Cheers
Stig