United Kingdom's Bristol Blenheim Bomber1

Bristol Blenheim:
United Kingdom's Bristol Blenheim Bomber

Bristol Blenheim:
United Kingdom's Bristol Blenheim Bomber

Canada's Bolingbroke Mk IV:
Canada's Bolingbroke Mk IV

Bristol Blenheim:
United Kingdom's Bristol Blenheim Bomber

Canada's Bolingbroke Mk IV:
Canada's Bolingbroke Mk IV

Design

Once the war started some models had a rear firing remotely controlled turret under the nose.1

A fighter version had a pack under the fuselage with four machine guns.1

Crew

Some felt that the navigator's compartment was very small in Blenheim Mk Is to Blenheim Mk IIIs.1 The Blenheim Mk IV improved this space.1

Prototype

 

Production

Bristol, Rootes, and Avro built 3,297.1
A total of 4,440 Blenheims were built.2

Variants

Usage

RAF squadrons started receiving the Blenheims in March 1939.1

The Blenheim was the RAFs principal light bomber at the beginning of World War II.2

On September 3, 1939, a reconnaissance flight over flew the German border.1 The first RAF bombing raid was conducted by Blenheim Mk IVs.1

Greece and Portugal also used them.1

First Unit

In March 1937 the No. 114 Squadron was the first unit to receive the Bristol Blenheim Mk I.2

First Night Victory

The first night AI victory was scored by a Mk IF on July 22, 1940.2

Last Operation

The Blenheim Mk IVs last operation was on August 18, 1942.2

Anti Shipping

As an anti shipping bomber the Blenheims sank 70 enemy ships from January to June 1941.2

Finland

Ten Blenheim Mk IVs were built under license.1 The were used until 1956 in forestry and survey work.1

Canada

Produced more than 600, known as the Bolingbroke.1 Most were used as trainers for navigation and gunnery.1 Some were fitted with ski gear for landing.1 A few were used in reconnaissance over the Atlantic.1

  Bristol Blenheim1 Bristol Blenheim Mk IV1,2
Type   Light Bomber1,2
Crew   31,2
Pilot, navigator/observer, gunner1
Engine (Type)   2: Bristol Mercury XV Piston1,2
Cylinders   Radial2 91
Cooling   Air1
HP   905 each1, 920 each2
Propeller blades   3
Dimensions    
Span   56' 4"2, 58' 4"1
17.17 m1,2
Length   42' 7"1,2
12.98 m1,2
Height   9' 10"1,2
2.99 m2, 3 m1
Wing area   469 ft2 1,2
43.57 m2 1,2
Weight    
Empty   9,770 lb1, 9,790 lb2
4,441 kg1,2
Loaded   13,500 lb2, 14,370 lb1
6,124 kg2, 6,532 kg1
Performance    
Speed @ 11,800' /
3,595 m
  265 mph1, 266 mph2
423 kph2, 428 kph1
Climb   1,500'/minute2
457 m/minute2
Service ceiling   22,000'2, 27,250'1
6,705 m2, 8,310 m1
Range   1,460 miles1,2
2,350 km1,2
Armament   5: 7.7 mm MG1
Nose   1: 7.7 mm MG2
Dorsal turret   2: 7.7 mm MG2
Bombs   1,274 lb1
579 kg1
Bombs - internal   1,000 lb2
454 kg2
Bombs - external   320 lb2
145 kg2
Production 3,2971  

Sources:

  1. Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
  2. Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
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