United Kingdom's Bristol Blenheim Bomber1
Bristol Blenheim:
Bristol Blenheim:
Canada's Bolingbroke Mk IV:
Bristol Blenheim:
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
- Mk I: In production until late 1938.1
- Mk IF: Was a short nosed model that was in service through 1940 as a night fighter.2 Had four 7.7 mm MGs under the fuselage.2
- Mk IV: First 80 has less powerful engines, and less fuel.1 Had longer nose and the stepped nose.2
- Mk V also known as Bisley: was slower, but outfitted 10 RAF squadrons in North Africa and the Far East.1 Had the Mercury XXX engine.2
- Mk VD: Was modified to fly in the tropics.2 First used in North Africa at the end of 1942.2
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:
- Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
- Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
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