BRISTOL BLENHEIM

The Bristol Blenheim is a British light bomber and heavy fighter with a full metal and half-shell construction from the Second World War. Depending on the version, it is powered by two Bristol Mercury VIII (Mk.I version) or Bristol Mercury XV (Mk.IV version) engines. The prototype of the Blenheim aircraft was the Bristol 142 airliner, which, due to its great performance, was redesigned for the needs of the RAF. The first flight of the Bristol Blenheim prototype took place in June 1935. Mass production started in the same year. The first version was the Bristol Blenheim Mk.I, which served as a light bomber. In 1937, it was replaced by the Mk.IV version, distinguished by, among others, longer wings and a specific dent in the nose of the fuselage. A version of the heavy fighter (Mk.IF) was also created, but only 200 copies were produced. During the war, they were equipped with the AI Mk I radar and redirected to service as night fighters. In total, about 4,500 Blenheim aircraft were built for the RAF. They were also exported or produced under license in Canada, Finland, Turkey and Greece. Technical data (Mk.IV version): Maximum speed: 428 km / h, speed of climb: 7.6 m / s, maximum ceiling 8,310 m, maximum range: 2,351 km, armament: fixed - 4-5 machine guns cal.7 , 7mm, suspended - up to 540 kg of bombs.