Aero MB-200 - the Czechoslovak bomber

In the mid-1930s Czechoslovakia faced the problem of modernizing its aviation. One of the immediate tasks was the selection of a heavy bomber of a modern design. However, the domestic industry did not have enough experience in the production of metal airplanes, the Czechoslovak government decided to acquire a license from France for a bomber of simple design, that could be put into production quickly. Since the French aviation situation at that time was not the best, the choice was very limited. After negotiations, the twin-engine high-wing Marcel Bloch MB-200 BN4 bomber was selected. This plane was produced in 1933 and since 1934 it was produced for the French military at the Potez, Loire, Breguet and SASO factories. In early 1935 the Czechoslovak Ministry of Defense signed a license agreement with Potez. 300 thousand francs was paid for license documentation to the French, and were to be paid 12% of the price for each plane built. One complete MB-200 was also ordered for trials, which were carried out in 1935 in the spring. The military ordered 75 MB-200s, which were to be produced at the AERO and Avia factories (the second of them produced only 12 units, numbered 37-48). The price of the bomber without additional fuel tanks was 1,340,370 Czechoslovak crowns, and with tanks - 1,402,317. The first serial planes were produced in 1937 in April. The license production problems were partly Bloch's fault - the firm in 1936 in May sent 85 additional drawings, in which 183 design changes were made. MB-200 aircraft served in heavy bomber squadrons 81, 82, 83, 84 of the 6th Aviation Regiment in Brno and 85 and 86 squadrons of the 6th Aviation Regiment in Prague. One specimen, number 52, was rebuilt for photogrammetry tasks. At the time of the conference in Munich, Czechoslovakia had 54 aircraft of this type. These planes were also produced under German occupation. They were delivered to Bulgaria and Romania, where they served alongside MB-210 BN5 aircraft, seized from occupied France.

A large and highly detailed model of a large aircraft for intermediate and advanced modelers. It has detailed interior equipment, perfectly restored engines, chassis, fixed and mounted armament (air bombs), exterior details. The tail control plates are only separated, the ailerons can be made both together with the wing or separated. Separate gluing of all wing and fuselage stiffness details is provided. The disadvantage is, that there is no stock of colors, and there is almost nowhere to "pick up" them. You will have to make no mistake. It is true, that even an advanced beginner modeler can glue this model together without making the interior equipment, simplifying the engine models, without making the reinforcements, making the glasses opaque and working under the supervision of a more experienced colleague.