Bloch MB.480

The Bloch MB.480 was a French twin engined torpedo bomber/reconnaissance floatplane designed just before the start of the Second World War.

Only two were built, the French Navy deciding to use landplanes instead.

The first prototype was destroyed after colliding with a pier at Étang de Thau on 23 June 1940, while the second prototype was placed into storage in July, and was not flown again.

Specifications

Crew

5

Length

19.1 m (62 ft 8 in)

Wingspan

23.50 m (77 ft 1 in)

Height

4.6 m (15 ft 1 in)

Wing area

82.20 m2 (884.8 sq ft)

Empty weight

7,020 kg (15,476 lb)

Gross weight

10,002 kg (22,050 lb)

Max take-off weight

12,000 kg (26,455 lb)

Powerplant

1 × Gnome-Rhône 14N-2 14-cylinder air-cooled radial engine,

790 kW (1,060 hp) (right hand rotation)

Powerplant

1 × Gnome-Rhône 14N-3 14-cylinder air-cooled radial engine,

790 kW (1,060 hp) (left hand rotation)

Performance

Maximum speed

330 km/h (205 mph, 178 kn) at 1,500 m (4,900 ft)

Cruise speed

280 km/h (174 mph, 151 kn)

Range

2,000 km (1,240 mi, 1,080 nmi) at 280 km/h (170 mph; 150 kn)

Service ceiling

7,100 m (23,290 ft)

Armament

Guns

2 × 7.5 mm Darne machine gun,

1 × 20 mm cannon in dorsal mounting

Bombs

2 × 400 mm (16 in) torpedoes

Or

3 × 410 kg (900 lb) bombs

Or

5 × 225 kg (496 lb) bombs.