Bloch MB.300
The Bloch MB.300 Pacific was a three -engined airliner of the French manufacturer Avions Marcel Bloch Societé des from the 1930s. Since the prototype was not convincing, no other models were built. Due to its size, the aircraft was nicknamed " La Grosse Julie ".
History
1935 granted the airline Air France the manufacturer Bloch commissioned to develop two new airliners for 16 or 30 passengers. In addition to the twin-engined MB.220 so was the design of the larger MB.300. For both models, the manufacturer took over the wings and other parts of the bomber MB.210.
The first flight of MB.300 took place on 15 November 1935. The subsequent test flights showed that significant changes were necessary. Thus, the fuselage was extended and reduces the span. Based on the test results, the capacity of 24 passengers had to be lowered.
1937 sold Bloch's successor company SNCASE the revised prototype to the French Government. In the following months, further tests were performed. In January 1938, joined the aircraft for a short time in the service of Air France, to be subsequently sold to Spain.
Since SNCASE could not expect any further orders, the company decided to terminate the project and focused on the successor MB.161.
Construction
The MB.300 was a continuous tape as a low-wing all-metal aircraft with retractable landing gear. The cross-section of the hull formed a rounded upwards rectangle. The drive initially served three double radial engines Gnôme -Rhône 14K each with 750 kW, which were later replaced by more powerful 14N.
The cabin was divided into three compartments, in which in addition to a bar first 14 places and 16 places second class were provided. The final version saw three sections for eight passengers in front, including a bar in the middle compartment. There were a maximum of four seats per row are arranged. The cockpit crew consisted of two pilots, a radio operator and a navigator.