Accompanied by two Spitfires

The highlight for me of the Cosford airshow, this Canadian-built Bolingbroke IV was restored as a Blenheim IF night fighter with the original short nose. Although unsuccesful in combat, the Blenheim bomber was one of the most numerous British aircraft early in World War II

This is a composite rebuild of two RCAF aircraft: 9895 and 10038. They were both sold for scrap/parts after WWII and fell into severe disrepair. The latter was painstakingly restored to airworthiness in 1987 only for it to crash almost immediately. The remains from both have been combined and are now on display at the Koninklijk Legermuseum/Belgique Musée Royal de l'Armée et d'Histoire Militaire.

The first bomber raid against Nazi Germany was flown the 4th of September 1939 by Blenheims from RAF Wattisham. To commemorate this event exactly 60 years later a ceremony was held during which the only airworthy Blenheim attended. It was a great sight to see a fixed wing aircraft flying from the Wattisham runway again.

The colors of this aircraft represent the personal aircraft of Cdr Max Aitken, who was OC 68 Sq in the early stages of the War.

The Bolingbroke IV was a Canadian licence built version of the Blenheim IV. This example was delivered to the RCAF in 1942 and served as a gunnery and bombing instructional airframe until struck off charge in 1946. She arrived in the UK during 1968 and underwent restoration before going on display at the RAF Museum in 1978. This aircraft is the former RCAF serial 10001

The Bolingbroke was intended as an improved version of the Blenheim but immediately pre-WWII the British were in urgent need of actual plane numbers on the ground rather than down-the-line projects. Development was handed over to the Canadians and the end result was 626 Bolingbrokes produced between 1939 and 1943. The CWHM's trainer Bolingbroke is currently being rebuilt to flying condition from the remains of eight aircraft, salvaged from Manitoba, during the mid 1980s.

Actual RCAF serial, 9895. Although wearing Canadian serial 10038, the aircraft is otherwise painted as RAF Blenheim Mk.IV L9416 of No 139 Sqn. Based at Plivot in France, L9416 was shot down by Bf 109s during a mission against a German column on the Maastricht - Tongeren road on 12 May 1940. The crew survived.

Bristol 149 Bolingbroke recently fitted with the short Blenheim nose.

114 Squadron, based at RAF Wyton, Huntingdonshire, was the first unit to receive the new Blenheims, starting in March 1937. Here five of their aircraft perform for the camera. Improved Blenheim IV's were received in April 1939. Photo obtained from Bristol.

Three Blenheim IV medium bombers of 53 Squadron, RAF Coastal Command, based at RAF Odiham, Hampshire. L4864 is nearest, L4851 is centre and L4839 is at the top of the image. From Bristols 60 years ago.

A Blenheim Mk.V, initially known as the Bisley, fitted with an under-nose gun position. Note that, unlike the Mk.IV, the Mk.V cross section in front of the cockpit is symmetrical from just behind the nose to the windshield. The type was used by Bomber and Coastal Commands (who operated this example). It was built by Avro and Rootes in addition to Bristols, from whom photo was obtained.

Bristol 149 Bolingbroke recently fitted with the nose of Blenheim L6739.