Developed
from the Bristol Model 142 civil transport plane, the
Bristol Blenheim was faster than the existing RAF fighters
when it was first tested in 1935
The
RAF first took delivery of the MK I in 1937 and the MK
IV was available in 1939. The MK I was used as a light
bomber while the Mk IV was used as a multirole light bomber,
fighter, nightfighter, reconnaissance aircraft and close-support
aircraft
More
than 6,229 (plus 80 incomplete) were built. The last flying
example now
resides with The Aircraft Restoration Company at Duxford,
England
|
Mark |
Role |
No
of crew |
Engine
Type |
Max
Speed
(MPH) |
Range
(miles) |
Ceiling
(ft) |
Armament |
|
I |
Light
bomber |
3 |
Mercury
VIII |
285
(459 kph) |
1,125
(1,811km) |
27,280
(8,300m) |
2
machine guns & 1,000lb (454kg) of bombs |
|
IV |
Multirole
including light bomber, fighter |
3 |
Mercury XV |
266
(428kph) |
1,460
(2,351km) |
31,500
(9,601m) |
6
machine guns &1,325lb (601kg) of bombs |
|
V |
Multirole
including light bomber, fighter |
3 |
Mercury 25/30 |
260
(419kph) |
|
31,000
(9,449m) |
5
machine guns &1,325lb (601kg) of bombs |
| Model |
Blenheim
I |
Blenheim
IV |
Blenheim
V |
| Span |
56
ft 4 in (17.17 m) |
56
ft 4 in (17.17 m) |
56
ft 1 in (17.09 m) |
| Length |
39
ft 9 in (12.12 m) |
42
ft 9 in (13.03 m) |
43
ft 11 in (13.39 m) |
| Height
|
12
ft 10 in (3.91 m) |
12
ft 10 in (3.91 m) |
12
ft 10 in (3.91 m) |
| Wing
area |
469
sq ft (43.6 sq m) |
469
sq ft (43.6 sq m) |
469
sq ft (43.6 sq m) |
| Engine
Type |
Mercury
VIII |
Mercury
XV |
Mercury
25 or 30 |
| Horsepower |
840 |
905 |
950 |
| Weight
(maximum takeoff) |
12,500
lb (5682 kg) |
15,000
lb (6818 kg) |
17,000
lb (7727 kg) |
The
Aircraft Restoration Company have restored two derelict
wartime Bristol Blenheim aircraft to airworthy condition
The
first took twelve years to restore and was put together
from virtual scrap parts. Sadly it was destroyed in a crash
only one month after completion. The second, built from
a different derelict airframe, took only five years to complete
and is a wonderful aircraft to see. What makes it even more
special is that it is the only one flying in the world!
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