The story
In 1934 Lord Rothermere, owner of the Daily Mail, ordered a fast private aircraft from Bristol. The Type 142, named Britain First, flew in 1935 at 307 mph, faster than the fighters then in RAF service, and it became the Blenheim bomber. By 1940 faster fighters had erased that lead and losses were heavy, but the Blenheim was there from the first day: on 3 September 1939 Blenheim N6215 became the first British aircraft to cross the German coast. Blenheims were also the first British fighters fitted with radar. Over 4,400 were built, including licence production in Canada and Finland. One flies today.
The world's only flying Blenheim, G-BPIV, has been rebuilt twice. A Canadian-built Bolingbroke, it first flew restored in 1993, was damaged landing at Duxford in 2003, and flew again in 2014 with a short Mk I nose.
Quick answers
How do you identify a Blenheim?
Two radials on a slim fuselage with a single fin, a short, fully glazed nose on the Mk I (the Mk IV's nose is longer), and a dorsal gun turret halfway down the back. Only one flies, so a Blenheim in the air is G-BPIV, in RAF camouflage as L6739.
What does a Blenheim sound like?
Two nine-cylinder Bristol Mercury radials, a busy, even drone with a bit of rasp.
How fast is the Blenheim?
Top speed is 231 kts.
How many people does the Blenheim carry?
Typical configuration: Pilot, navigator/bomb aimer and gunner.
How far can the Blenheim fly?
Range is about 1,270 nmi.
How big is the Blenheim?
It is 42 ft 7 in long and 56 ft 4 in across the wings.
When did the Blenheim first fly?
Its first flight was in 1935.
How many Blenheims have been built?
4,422 built.
How rare is a Blenheim in Bogey?
RARE. A good day. Most spotters go weeks between sightings of something this rare. Your first Blenheim catch is worth 250 points.
