Bristol Blenheim Mk1

The Bristol Blenheim is a British light bomber designed and built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, which was used extensively in the first two years of the Second World War, with examples still being used as trainers until the end of the war. Before that, in January 1938, 30 Sqn took delivery of this far more modern twin-engined aircraft when compared to the Hardy. The Sqn was the first overseas Sqn to operate the Blenheim.

Development began with the Type 142, a civil airliner, after a challenge from the newspaper proprietor Lord Rothermere to produce the fastest commercial aircraft in Europe. The Type 142 first flew in April 1935, and the Air Ministry, ordered a modified design as the Type 142M for the Royal Air Force (RAF) as a bomber.

The Blenheim was one of the first British aircraft with an all-metal stressed-skin construction, retractable landing gear, flaps, a powered gun turret and variable-pitch propellers. There were two varients of the BlenheimThe Mk.I was faster than most of the RAF's biplane fighters in the late 1930s but advances soon left it vulnerable if flown in daylight, though it proved successful as a night fighter. The Blenheim was effective as a bomber but many were shot down.

The Sqn CO at the time was one of three who delivered the first three aircraft for 30 Sqn at RAF Dhibban (later Habbaniya). The trip was made in 3hrs, at 16,000ft, with no oxygen, as the boss was keen to set records. They landed safely but wondered why they all had headaches!!! Because this aircraft was so modern there was a significant amount of training required not least because the Blenheim required 3 crew operate it. Inevitably, accidents happen and this is the result of an inexperienced young pilot trying to land at Habbaniya in 1939 - ouch!