Heller 1:72 Bloch 152 (L091)

[Johni044]

Bloch 152 MVSEE
Heller 1:72 (L091)
1st Fighter Squadron, 3rd Group, 1st flight.
2104#6



Maurice Roussel of Avions Marcel Bloch designed the Bloch 150-01 in response to the 1934 fighter program. It was a single-seat all-metal cantilever monoplane initially powered by a 14-cylinder radial Gnome-Rhone 14Kfs rated at 930hp at 4,350m.

However the plane had to be redesigned with a new wing of increased area and a longer stroke undercarriage as the original flatly refused to get airborne for it’s test flight on 7th July 1936. The modified plane eventually getting airborne on 4th May 1937.

The design was further refined for production which resulted in the Bloch 151 which flew for the first time on 18th August 1938 and 144 was ordered by the Armee de l’Air the first being delivered in March 1939. Performance of the airframe was found to be disappointing and despite being considered unsuitable for first line duties, the plane did see combat with both Armee de l’Air and Aeronavale.

The Bloch 152, which is the subject of this kit, was built in parallel with the 151 and differed primarily in the engine and armament provisions. The definitive order for the 152 called for 200 examples with the GR 14N-25 and 288 with the GR 14N-49 both engines being rated at 1,000hp at 3,800m. The engines on the 152 were offset to counter torque.

Armament could consist of either two 20-mm HS 404 cannon and two 7.5-mm machine guns or 4 7.5mm machine guns. The 7.5mm guns were belt fed MAC 1934 M39’s. All weapons were wing mounted.

The first 152’s entered service with the Armee de l’Air in April 1939 and a total of 482 were produced of which 20 were supplied by the Vichy government to Rumania.

Statistics.
Max speed 316 mph (509k/h) at 4,500m
Range 335mls (540km)
Time to 2,000m 3.4min
Armament
2 x HS 404 20mm cannon
2 x MAC 1934 M39 7.5mm machine Guns.

The Kit
Of 1965 vintage this is from an original boxing my other half got me from Oxfam last year. There was quite a bit flash on the parts and the decals were very out of register, thick and yellow. The plastic was very hard and brittle. Instructions are very basic and did not include a schematic for the starboard paint scheme.

With careful trimming I managed to salvage the Greek bowman badge, the tail flash was hand painted and after market roundels used. Hand painted in Humbrol enamels, primarily Hu87, Hu144. Hu166 & Hu160 with Hu78 on the internals.

Didn’t have any French aircraft on the shelf until now and quite happy with the outcome. Thanks to those who offered advice on the colours.

[UKscalemodeller]

Looks great,

I love these rarer French types