The Blenheim Mk1 flies...
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One of my first Airfix kits 40 years ago and still, to my eyes, an aeroplane with simple and attractive lines. Is this the one that crashed shortly after a previous restoration? Good job and some nice fots.
Originally Posted by Al R
Is this the one that crashed shortly after a previous restoration?
The first one in Mk.IV configuration, infamously crashed at Denham aerodrome back in 1987 shortly after it's 12 year restoration to airworthy. Another replacement fuselage was found in Canada and it was restored for a 2nd time back to airworthy over the next five years. This 2nd Mk.IV incarnation then flew for many years through the 90's until suffering a 2nd crash on approach to Duxford back in 2003.
The aircraft which you now see here, was then rebuilt again over the next 10 years, this time using the Mk1 nose section that had been converted to an electric car by a Filton employee back in the 1950's.
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Many thanks for this. My father, a Sergeant Observer, was in a Blenheim Mk I of 57 Squadron, Serial No L1325, on 7 November 1939, on a reconnaissance sortie from Metz. The aircraft was shot down near Mainz/Opladen by Leutnant (later Major) Muncheberg in an Me109, his first victory of 135 (!) according to some sources. My father, and the other two crew members, survived as POWs. The crew that flew the same mission the day before, to survey the 'Siegfried Line', were killed in action. The squadron commander Wing Commander 'Wings ' Day had been shot down the month before.
Staying in the RAF until 1961, retiring as an engineer Warrant Officer, my father died in 1993 at the age of 82. Last year I was pleased to claim and receive the Bomber Command Clasp on his behalf. Like many others of his time, he said very little of his wartime experiences but if anything the family's pride increases with the years.
Staying in the RAF until 1961, retiring as an engineer Warrant Officer, my father died in 1993 at the age of 82. Last year I was pleased to claim and receive the Bomber Command Clasp on his behalf. Like many others of his time, he said very little of his wartime experiences but if anything the family's pride increases with the years.
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Al R, if you're still into scale aircraft modelling, try the new Airfix kit of the Blenheim Mk.I, released a couple of months ago. It's a beauty.
A new Blenheim Mk.IV kit is also due imminently, should that float your boat.
A new Blenheim Mk.IV kit is also due imminently, should that float your boat.
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Gee Ram,
Thanks for the concise reply, the aeroplane looks lovely - shame that the coverage of the achievement is modest. A small airliner, an electric car??
Chopped,
Thank you. My car was written off recently and I've had time to think of other things. Scale modeling is something I'm looking forward to doing, but possibly not for a few years. The wheel turns full circle.
Thanks for the concise reply, the aeroplane looks lovely - shame that the coverage of the achievement is modest. A small airliner, an electric car??
Chopped,
Thank you. My car was written off recently and I've had time to think of other things. Scale modeling is something I'm looking forward to doing, but possibly not for a few years. The wheel turns full circle.
Another cracking restoration - well done to all concerned!
I must have built my model Blenheim about 50 years ago now - I think it was by Frog, not Airfix though.
That lead to me reading the excellent Night Fighter by C F Rawnsley from cover to cover many times. But even 15 years after the end of WW2, my mother (who'd been in radar) couldn't believe that I'd learned about AI radar and IFF from a paperback! As far as she was concerned, it was all still secret....
I must have built my model Blenheim about 50
years ago now - I think it was by Frog, not Airfix though.That lead to me reading the excellent Night Fighter by C F Rawnsley from cover to cover many times. But even 15 years after the end of WW2, my mother (who'd been in radar) couldn't believe that I'd learned about AI radar and IFF from a paperback! As far as she was concerned, it was all still secret....
Back in the early 70s, before going TA, I was for a short time a VR(T) officer with 1094 City of Ely Sqn of the ATC. CO was a flt lt VR(T) with an "O" brevet - had been at Watton on Blenheims and was one of the few to have survived those early days of Blenheim ops. He would have been pleased to see this one fly.
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It wasn't a success though, was it? Death trap for the crews, under-armed....used badly..look at the bloody turret? What pop gun in defence did it have? Is that a Lewis gun?
Park it up and leave it be. (you know my opinions on old WW2 planes).
Its a sombre reminder and only a tribute to the brave men that manned it, that's all.
Park it up and leave it be. (you know my opinions on old WW2 planes).
Its a sombre reminder and only a tribute to the brave men that manned it, that's all.
If you are interested in Blenheim ops in 1939/40, I heartily recommend Six Weeks of a Blenheim Summer by Alistair Panton (& his granddaughter Victoria). Well written, and by heck that lad were busy that summer!
