MB 500

Designed in response to the T3 (three-seat work) program of 1938, the MB 500 was a rustic twin-engine wooden aircraft, with an extremely streamlined forward fuselage.

Origins and prototypes

Designed by Maurice Roussel in response to the T3 (three-seat aerial work) programme of 1938, the MB 500 was a rustic twin-engine design, of wooden construction, with a streamlined forward fuselage and twin vertical tails.

Primarily intended for crew training it was powered by two 300hp Lorraine “Algol” engines.

Only one example was built. Construction was performed by SNCASO in the former Blériot workshops in Suresnes. The aircraft was transported to Buc, where reassembly was completed in June 1936.

The first flight took place on 1 September 1938, with René de Bail at the controls.

After a few modifications, it resumed testing in January 1939. Faced with competition from the Hanriot 510, it did not go any further.


Datasheet

Dimensions

Title Value
Wing span 15.75 m
Length 11.54 m
Height 3.65 m

Performances

Title Value
Crew 3

Engine

Title Value
Type 2 x 300hp Lorraine 9 Na “Algol” engines