WOW741 MB.152

Description

The MB.152 was a French fighter aircraft in service at the outbreak of WW2.
On 26 September 1939, the first modified MB.152s were delivered to the French Air Force; allocation to active squadrons began by early October and, by mid-November 1939, two fighter wings had been equipped with 26 MB.152s each^.  At this point, the type still demonstrated some unfavourable flight characteristics, such as during steep dives. Increasing numbers of its predecessor the MB.151 aircraft were being delivered to be squadrons for training in advance of their conversion to the MB.152^.
During the early Phoney war, very few engagements between the MB.152 and the aircraft of the Luftwaffe occurred; in this period, only the shooting-down of a Junkers 88 was recorded^.

During the Battle of France, MB.151s and MB.152s equipped nine Groupes de Chasse; the MB.152 was the most numerous aircraft, remaining in service during the final weeks prior to the signing of the Armistice on June 22nd 1940. They proved to be tough aircraft, able to withstand considerable battle damage, rapidly reach high speeds during a dive and were steady gun platforms. In air combat they were outmatched by the Luftwaffe on almost every count and proved slower than the Messerschmitt Bf 109 and 110’s. All Bloch units suffered many losses. In the week of 10 to 17 May, it was almost commonplace for a Bloch squadron to take off with eight or nine aircraft and come back with only two or three. This was a similar fate to those encountered by RAF Fairey Battles over France at the same time. Allied fighters and bombers serving over France during 1940, were no match for the Luftwaffe during this period.

This is not to say the French and no successes against the Germans, MB.152 pilots claimed at least 188 enemy aircraft, for the loss of about 86 Blochs during this stage of the war.

In the third week in May the Bloch units had suffered severe losses and were pulled back to the Paris area to reform.
After the cessation of hostilities, the remaining aircraft were transferred to the Vichy air force before being transferred to the Romanian air force for service in Russia.

Our 1/30 scale is one in the colourful markings of the Vichy French air force and as such, will make a unique addition to any collection of WW2 aircraft.