What are your thoughts? - M.B.152C1

[tx141 815]

Hi All,

 

This week I thought I would review the M.B.152C1 (Tier II; Battle Rating 2.3 French Premium Fighter). Below you will find both my video review (including the history behind the Bloch M.B.150 from its inception through to the M.B.152C1 sub-variant) and a summary of my review in bullet-point form:

 

M.B.152C1 - Flyer's Bloch

Summary:

 

• Turn-fighting capability – With its above average turn-circle; moderate energy retention in the horizontal; and well-rounded set of control surfaces, the M.B.152C1 can comfortably turn-fight with most of its monoplane fighter opposition. Just beware the fact that you can see biplane opposition who will easily out-turn you!
• Ample firepower – The plane’s wing-mounted combination of 2x7.5mm MAC 1934 machine guns and 2x20mm HS404 cannon will enable you to down opponents rapidly when you have a clear shot on target. However, do keep in mind the need to manage the ammo count of your 20mm cannon, as these will be delivering the majority of the damage.
• Suitable ideal altitude range – With the majority of engagements occurring below 3000m altitude at the M.B.152C1’s Battle Rating, the plane’s ideal altitude range of 1000-3000m means you will typically be able to extract maximum performance from the aircraft’s engine and control surfaces in each engagement.
• Generally slow – With its limited acceleration in both a straight-line and a dive; its poor straight-line energy retention; and average climb rate, the M.B.152C1 will normally have to react to incoming opponents rather than be the initiator of an engagement. This also means that most opposition (i.e. monoplane fighters) can easily choose when to disengage.
• Low durability – Whilst hits to the M.B.152C1’s airframe from machine-guns can be taken to an extent, hits from cannon will quickly spell the plane’s demise. Moreover, both the plane’s engine and tail section are highly susceptible to receiving damage, with the tail-section prone to breaking off at a moment’s notice.

 

Final Thought:

 

The M.B.152C1 makes for a rather comfortable turn-fighter which has the manoeuvrability to gain the upper hand against most of its monoplane opposition; before swiftly bringing them down thanks to its potent armament. Yet, beyond this type of engagement the M.B.152C1 will struggle noticeably through the combination of its lack of pace, and poor energy retention in both the vertical and a straight-line. As a result, the M.B.152C1 will prove enjoyable to those who love the challenge of reacting to incoming opponents, but can trigger a case of flyer’s block in those who would prefer a more flexible fighter.

 

And now over to you: what are your thoughts on this Fighter?

 

Next time:

 

Re.2001 serie 1 or F2A-1 Buffalo?

 

Be sure to let me know which one you want me to review using the above poll. Poll closes 1200 GMT 17/02/2019.

 

As always, take care and good luck in the skies.

 

Paul "tx141" Walsh 

[Touched_Grass 758]

This plane is quite decent, the Hispanos on it work decently with stealth rounds, and the rudder seems quite stable. The only issue, as you pointed out, is its climb rate and energy retention. You have to extend from the fight a bit longer than normal with this plane, but it's not bad! Here's my best result with it, I think I got it only after playing 1-2 games with it:

[DancingBare 58]

TX141, I watched your video, but cannot locate the AC in the re-searchable or premium  line up.  What am I missing?

[ArthurBloss 633]

It is no premium but an event plane. This years minor prize for Xmas event.

[DancingBare 58]

Thanks!

[willcliff 116]

The main problem for me with this plane is that the much better vg.33 sits at the same battle rating, so there isn't really much reason to use this plane (except premium bonuses).

[PanzerJesus 6]

The main problem this aircraft imo is that it's an event plane so it's mostly interesting for people that already won the plane anyway. Making the Bloch 152 -the most numerous French fighter at the end of the Battle of France- a non-reasearchable plane (and not adding the 151 and  155, and correcting the 157) is really a missed chance of Gaijin to flesh out the French fighter line around rank 2 with more viable planes, something they did very nicely in the Italian line with the new inverted-V-engined Reggianes.

Maybe you could do the Reggiane review?