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Character Profiles
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Bristol
Blenheim Mk I to MkV
Bristol Bleinheim Mk
V
Bristol Blenheim Mk I
Bristol Blenheim Mk IV
Typical Blenhiem
Specifications
Manufacturer: Bristol
Length: 43 ft 1 in
Wing Span: 56 ft
Height: 9 ft 10 in
Speed: 170 to 303 mph at 15,000 ft
Range: up to 1,900 miles
Ceiling: 20,000 ft
Armament: two .303 in mg turret mounted, one .303 in mg remote
control nose blister mount
Bomb Load: 1,000 lbs
Weight: 14,000 lbs
In 1934, when the Royal Air Force still had bi-planes in its inventory,
Lord Rothermere, a British newspaper publisher, ordered a plane in which
he planned to make nonstop flights between the principal cities of Europe,
from the British Aeroplane Company. When the plane was finished a year
later and sent to an RAF station for airworthiness tests, the speed tests
astounded the British Air Ministry as the plane could fly faster than
the RAF's latest Fighters. When approached by the Air Ministry for permission
to make further tests, Lord Rothermere gave them his new airplane. From
this developed the Blenheim bomber, which remained the RAF's fastest bomber
for some years.
The first version to see service was the Bristol Blenheim Mk I, reaching
RAF squadrons in 1937. A total of 1,552 of this model were built and was
superseded by the Blenheim Mk IV in 1939. The Bristol Blenheim Mk IV was
used as a medium bomber, long-range and night fighter, and intruder aircraft.
It was the first Allied plane to fly across the German border after the
war began, flying a photo-reconnaissance mission over Kiel, and the following
day returning to bomb the German fleet. In total five thousand four hundred
were built before production ceased in 1942. Serving in all combat areas
and for North African and Middle East operations, a tropicalized version,
the Blenheim Mk V, fitted with engine sand-filters was produced and flown
on close support missions. Blenheims built in Canada were equipped with
American engines and called Bolingbroke.
Source: The War
in the Air by Gene Gurney, Major, USAF and Jane's Fighting Aircraft
of WWII
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