The Bristol Blenheim fighter bomber

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About the Bristol Blenheim

The Bristol Blenheim was originally built as a civillian plane, sponsored by the Daily Mail who wanted something to get their reporters on scene first.

When it was found to outperform the existing fighters, it was presented to the nation and served in roles including fighter, bomber and reconnaisance among others. Often called "The Forgotten Bomber" its achievements, including as a night fighter in the Battle of Britain, have been overlooked in favour of the more glamorous Spitfire and Hurricane day fighters.



Image from allfree-clipart.com

A Tribute to the Blenheim 

The Forgotten Bomber

This tribute starts with shots of the Blenheim in action, covers many of its various roles and ends with shots of a surviving Blenheim (from some years ago) displaying.

Blenheim "The Forgotten Bomber" Tribute

Tribute video to one of the rarely known bombers of the war, the Bristol Blenheim.

Runtime: 199
2236 views
11 Comments:

curated content from YouTube

About the Bristol Blenheim 

Its origins and history


Bristol Blenheim Greeting Cards from Amazon.co.uk

From Amazon.co.uk


The Bristol Blenheim, one of the most overlooked aircraft of the Second World War, has its origins in a civilian aircraft. The protoype, called "Britain First" was built to challenge speed records, and was quickly discovered to be 50mph faster than the fighters in service at the time. Viscount Rothmere presented his protype to the nation in 1935, and it was developed into the Bristol Blenheim.

On the outbreak of war in 1939, it made up the bulk of the RAF's front-line forces. Unfortunately it was quickly outstripped by other aircraft and its flaws exposed. A total of three Victoria Crosses were awarded to Blenheim crewmen (according to the RAF site).

By 1943 it had been almost entirely replaced, but its service in the early years of the war was vital. As a bomber it handled a number of raids, taking horrific casualties as the aircraft's speed was reduced by a full bomb loads. As a fighter it served well early on, but was quickly outperformed by the newer machines.

However, while the daylight of the Battle of Britain belonged to the Spitfire and Hurricane, it handled the majority of night fighting over the UK. Allowing the development of nightfighting tactics, it had some notable successes until replaced eventually by the Bristol Beaufighter and of course the "Wooden Wonder" - the deHavilland Mosquito.

In India it had a prolonged lease of life, as the glue that held the Mosquito together did not fare well in heat and humidity.

The last Blenheims were part of the Finnish airforce, used in every role from bombing to reconnaisance over their long lifespan and were finally retired in 1957.

One surviving Blenheim still displays, appropriately painted as a nightfighter.

The wikipedia article contains more details:

The Bristol Blenheim was a British light bomber aircraft designed and built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company that was used extensively in the early days of the Second World War. It was later adapted into a successful long-range and night fighter. It was one of the first British aircraft to have all-metal stressed-skin construction, to utilise retractable landing gear, flaps, powered gun turret and variable pitch propellers. A Canadian-built variant named the Bolingbroke was used as an anti-submarine and training aircraft.

Technical Information and the Complete History 

The complete history of the Bristol Blenheim

The specifications for the Bristol Blenheim varied depending on its role. Those below are based on the bomber.

Type:

Light Bomber / Nightfighter


Crew:

2/3


Max Speed:

266mph


Service Ceiling:

22,000ft


Range:

1500 miles


Engines:

2 x Bristol Mercury engines


Length:

42 ft 7 inches


Wingspan:

56 ft 4 inches


Height:

9 ft 10 inches


Weight:

15,000lbs






A two technical diagrams of the Blenheim are available from Mediastorehouse. Although they don't offer a preview version, the images can be viewed here:
For more about the Blenheim this book details the history of the fighter bomber.

The Bristol Blenheim: A Complete History

Amazon Price: $54.95 (as of 12/25/2009)Buy Now
Used Price: $70.45

Avg. Customer Rating: Amazon Rating

Photographs of the Blenheim 

Photographs from Flickr

Commercial images of the Blenheim are available from Media Storehouse



Below are images from Flickr which users have kindly made public.

Bristol Freighter, Palmerston North, New Zealand, 1974 by PhillipC

Bristol Freighter, P...

Blenheim Duxfod by Elsie esq.

Blenheim Duxfod

Bristol Blenheim IV by DanielHP

Bristol Blenheim IV

Bristol Blenheim IV by DanielHP

Bristol Blenheim IV

Bristol Blenheim IV by DanielHP

Bristol Blenheim IV

Bristol Fighter, Aviation Heritage Centre, Omaka, Marlborough, New Zealand, 25 Feb. 2007 by PhillipC

Bristol Fighter, Avi...

automatically generated by Flickr

Speed Problems

The prototype's great speed was never fully realised in production. The weight of the bombs and the redesign to fit cannon both slowed her significantly, leaving her vulnerable to better armed, more modern fighters.

Featured Item: The Blenheim Story 

A 3 DVD set covering history and operations


Bristol Blenheim Complete Story DVD from Amazon.co.uk

From Amazon.co.uk


The full story of the Bristol Blenheim bomber is available on DVD in this 3 disc set from Amazon.co.uk.

Covering the development of the plane after Vicount Rothmere presented his protoype to the nation, through to its performance during World War II and the Dieppe landings.

Displaying a Bristol Blenheim 

Video covering prep, takeoff and flight.

The Bristol Blenheim at a display.
powered by Youtube

Pilot's Manuals and Notes 

Flying the Bristol Blenheim

The pilot's manual for the Bristol Blenheim is available from Amazon.

PILOT'S NOTES: BLENHEIM V. AEROPLANE

Amazon Price: (as of 12/25/2009) Buy Now

Bristol Blenheim V -Pilot's Notes

Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 12/25/2009) Buy Now

Faith, Hope and Charity

An unlikely role was playing in the defense of Malta, when the three Gloucester Gladiator biplanes that made up the island's only air defense were fitted with engines from a Bristol Blenheim to improve performance.

They were fast enough to make Italian intelligence think there were more planes!

Blog Posts from fans 

More about the Bristol Blenheim

With restoration attempts underway and one Bristol Blenheim still displaying, please find other supporters' opinions below.
Bristol Blenheim V: W/Cdr.Malcolm and the Award of a Posthumous VC ...
W/Cdr. Hugh Malcolm was remembered as a determined and inspiring leader in the harsh conditions of the 1942 North African campaign.
Peak Wreck Hunters: Bristol Blenheim Mk.1F L1449
Bristol Blenheim Mk.1F L1449. A few scraps which were missed by the multiple waves of looters who have visited the site of this Blenheim crash, found by an attractive waterfall in the pine wood planted since the crash. ...
Bristol Blenheim Bolingbroke 1
Bristol Aeroplane's Blenheim was a British high-speed light bomber used extensively in the early days of the Second World War. It was later adapted into a successful heavy fighter. A Canadian-made variant named the Bolingbroke was used ...

The Blenheim in flight 

Videos from Youtube

YouTube thumbnail
Bristol Blenheim

Runtime: 9:01 | 3131 views | Comments

YouTube thumbnail
Bristol Blenheim

Runtime: 8:40 | 11597 views | Comments

YouTube thumbnail
Bristol Blenheim Duxford Pt1

Runtime: 8:06 | 4625 views | Comments

automatically generated by YouTube"

News about the Blenheim 

Supplied by the BBC

News headlines from the BBC about the Blenheim, updated daily.

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Aviation, IT, History, Gaming, I'm interested in just about anything! I made the Squidoo Top 100 Club in June 2009.

For a full list of my lenses, see... (more)

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