Classic British Aircraft - Bristol Blenheim

When it first flew on 12th April 1935, the civilian Bristol Type 142 proved to be faster than any fighter then in service with the RAF and this quickly led to an Air Ministry specification for a bomber version...The Blenheim. But by the outbreak of war in September 1939, the Blenheim was already becoming obsolete and vulnerable. Despite this it was used extensively during the Battle of Britain resulting in massive losses within Blenheim squadrons. The Blenheim crews are, in many ways, the forgotten heroes of this epic chapter of WW2 history, flying mission after mission despite being keenly aware of the risks.

[@curiousuranus810]

Yeah; it was a great trainer. A 1930s aeroplane in a 1940s war - those men who flew this in combat are utter heros.

[@johncrispin2118]

Lovely video, and the vets were what made Britain great, sincere testimonies from supremely brave men. As for people like Rothermere,
I suppose they can only do good through patronage as described. I don’t know of anything else. Even to the present day with his descendants,
thier power and influence has contorted our democracy into monopoly of power by a privileged class which lives in our space but is rarely
Worthy of the sacrifice of the vets on the video.imho

[@television1066]

Many thanks John. It was incredibly moving to meet the original air crew and hear their stories. Their logbooks were absolutely extraordinary. Proper heroes.

[@2007MXV]

Not that anybody said it, but that “Canadian version” is a Bristol Fairchild Bolingbroke, of which more than 600 were built.

[@johnstewart4281]

An uncle...Leslie Goodson,flew these,he was shot down and badly burnt, became one of Mcindoes guinea pigs at East Grinstead,survived all and was an aircraft ngineer at Shorts ,belfast for many years before emigating to USA in the 1960's

[@television1066]

He must have been a very determined and remarkable man.

[@LadyThunderbird63]

Archibald McIndoe and Harold Gilles pioneered techniques still used today , heroes of mine . My grandfather in law was a navigator in 107 SQ flying in Blenheim mk lV , shot down by OBLT Gerhard Framm JG27 on a mission to bomb the Maastritch bridges 1940 . He was a pow til the end of the war

[@television1066]

I often feel the exploits of Bomber Command get overlooked during this period of the war. Your post prompted me to read more about the missions to bomb the Maastrich bridges. Many thanks for posting.@@LadyThunderbird63

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

👍Thanks for posting.

[@RandallSlick]

Rothermere and Britain First. Fascinating story.

[@Qwerty1235945]

"Britain First" from The Daily Mail owner. How things never change!

[@lardyify]

If not for the Blenheim, there would not have been the Beaufort or Beaufighter.

[@paulcryan3206]

Nice to see that the restoration shown is now in the air, flying with the recued front section.

[@MultiPedroAndrade]

i hope Airfix makes a 1/48 version of the Mk IV

[@typhoon2827]

0:38 difficult to fly anything when your eyes are on reciprocal headings...