Capt. Winters
Charter Member
Hi All,
Justa heads up that a new set of Blenhiem MkIV bombers and fighters has just been uploaded (CFS3 British aircraft).
See below for full details. again thanks to all involved.
Please make sure you read the install instructions carefully.
regards Rob.
Blenhiem MkIV set includes:
European Theatre of Operations.
Bristol Blenheim MkIV (bomber version) x 6 (3 x RAF, 2 x Coastal Command, 1 x FAF)
Bristol Blenheim MkIV sersies VI (Finnish Built Bomber) x 1 (FAF)
Bristol Blenheim MkIV (Fighter version) x 1 (Coastal Command)
Mediterranean Theatre of Operations.
Bristol Blenheim MkIV (bomber version) x 1 (RAAF)
Bristol Blenheim MkIV (Fighter version) x 1 (SAAF)
Contributor Credits:
Original external model is reworked from Richard (winjeel) Mason's work.
Original internal model parts are reworked from Greg (Seacondor) Laws's work.
Model rework internal and external by Steve (Sdsbolt) Seybolt.
Virtual Cockpit Textures by John (Bravo/4) Whelan.
External Textures by Nigel (ndicki) Dickinson.
Mos File by Nigel (ndicki) Dickinson.
XDP compilation, research by Rob (Capt. Winters) Stevenson.
Bomb Sight by Rob (Capt. Winters) Stevenson.
Flight Model By Rene (greycap.raf) Leppa.
Weapons by AvHistory, Joost (Frosty) and Richard (Winjeel) Mason.
pylon updates by Rob (Capt. Winters) Stevenson.
Revised 8x303 machine gun sounds, by Nigel (ndicki) Dickinson, Clive (Pat Pattle) Morely.
Engine sounds by Lawdog. (see original readme in aircraft\DR_Engine_Sounds\Bristol_Mercury_Sound_2x sound folder.)
Note: if the 2 MAW planes are installed into stock CFS3 it will require the following addons to be installed:
*NEK redux edition by Rick Rutherford. this will give you the extra countries required for the aircraft set.
If the NEK is not installed the two mAW planes will display in the Britain country listings.
...............................AIRCRAFT HISTORIES...............................................
ETO PLANE
Bristol Blenheim Mk IVF (Fighter)
=====================================
Unit: 254 Sqn RAF,Coastal Command
Serial: V5735
Code: QY-D
Aldergrove,
England.
July, 1941.
The squadron was reformed as a coastal fighter unit on 30 October 1939 at Stradishall and became a Coastal Command unit from January 1940. Equipped with Blenheims. The Squadrons Blenheims still mostly wore standard day bomber colours a year and a half later, With dark green/grey earth top sides. Installation of the fighter type ventral gun pack precluded fitting the rearward facing undernose gun turret.
The squadron carried out coastal patrols and convoy escort operations along the East Coast. From April 1940, it added reconnaissance and fighter escort for anti-shipping strikes to its range of duties. The squadron moved to Aldergrove in May 1941 and then to Dyce in December, where it converted to Beaufighters in June 1942.
In August the squadron began to carry out training in the torpedo bombing role and in November it joined the North Coates Strike Wing, remaining as part of the Wing, until June 1945 when the squadron moved to Chivenor. It received some Mosquito XVIIIs in April 1945 but these left in May. Moving to Langham in November it received a Buckmaster for crew conversion onto the Brigand, but it was decided not to issue this type to coastal strike squadrons and so it remained equipped with the Beaufighter until disbanded by being renumbered No 42 Squadron on 1 October 1946.
ETO PLANE
Bristol Blenheim MkIV
=====================================
Unit: 82 Sqn RAF
Serial: P6915
Code: UX-A
Pilot: Sgt A.E. Merritt
Navigator: F/S Robertson
Gunner: Cpl Harris
Watton,
England.
May, 1940.
No.82 Squadron was among the first recipients of the improved Blenheim MkIV in August 1938, and as part of No.2 Group, was engaged in attacking German shipping up until the end of the Phoney War. In May 1940, the squadron was used continuously against targets in France and the Low Countries.
On 17th May, 12 aircraft led by Sqn Ldr Paddy Delap attacked German targets near Gembloux in Belgium. They came under heavy anti aircraft fire which broke up the two boxes of Blenheims, shhoting down only one, but leaving them open to the subsequent attack by Bf109s. Ten more aircraft were shot down in quick succession.
One single aircraft managed to return to Watton, but was itself written off after landing. Three days later, owing to the efforts of the squadron OC, Wg Cdr The Earl of Bandon, the squadron was again operational in support of the BEF, notably around the Dunkirk perimeter and in support of Operation Dynamo.
P6915 was struck off charge after being badly damaged by Bf109s during aa armed recce mission over Abbeville on 7th June 1940
Airborne 11:10 from Wattisham to report enemy movements between Abbeville and St Valery. Badly shot about by Me109s and although a safe return to Wattisham was effected, the Blenheim was declared beyond economical repair and SOC
ETO PLANE
Bristol Blenheim MkIV
=====================================
Unit: 105 Sqn RAF
Serial: V6028
Code: GB-D
Pilot: Wg Cdr Hughie Edwards (RAAF)
Navigator: F/O Laurie Woods
Gunner: Sgt Bob Raisebeck
Swanton Morley,
England.
July 4th, 1941.
Wg Cdr Hughie Edwards DFC set out on a low level bombing raid on the industrial complex at Bremen designated Operation 'Wreckage' it was a repeat of a previously unsuccessful attempt against the same target on the 30th of June. Leading a total force of 15 Blenheims, nine from 105 Squadron and six from 107 Squadron, holding the bombers in a tight formation up to the target area; then, as the crews had been briefed the Blenheims were to separate into loose line-abreast and select individual targets. Once each Blenheim had completed its task it was to be every man for himself on the run-out and return to base. Crossing the North Sea at a mere 50ft above the water the Blenheims crossed into Germany just south of Cuxhaven, then swung southwards to Bremen. The Blenheims made their final approach jinking their way through the outer defence ring of tethered barrage balloons and dodging overhead telegraph cables.
Edwards broke radio silence to order the rest into the planned 'spread' formation, the object being to get his men across the target as quickly as possible before the flak defences were able to predict accurately the bombers' position. Nevertheless, the flak gunners were already throwing up a curtain of terrifying opposition at the raiders' height. Holding his buffeting Blenheim steady, Edwards ran across the dock area and released his bomb load, then, keeping as low as possible, ran across the heart of Bremen until he reached the outer suburbs. Banking left, Edwards circled Bremen to observe results and to watch the other Blenheims as these roared over the city on a mile-wide frontage.
All the Blenheims suffered flak damage as they twisted their way over and away from the target, one of them 'retreating' with severed telegraph cables trailing from its wings and tail unit. Edwards having completed his 'recce', headed towards Bremerhaven and Wilhelmshaven. Skirting Heligoland, he then flew out to sea at zero altitude for some 100 miles north of the Frisians before finally turning west for home. Landing back at base just before noon, he was the last survivor to return. His gunner, Quinn, was extracted from his gun turret by Coles crane and whisked away for medical attention, while the ground crew studied the damage to Edwards' Blenheim, much of the port wingtip missing, no port aileron, a cannon shell in the radio rack, telephone wires round the tail wheel and the under-fuselage looking like a colander with its shell holes.
Immediate awards to the survivors of 'Wreckage' included four DFMs, a DFC, and a Bar to Sgt Quinn's DFM; while on the 22nd of July came the award of a Victoria Cross to Hughie Edwards for the highest possible standard of gallantry and determination'.
Edwards' subsequent wartime career was equally distinguished gaining him a DSO in January 1943 and promotion to Group Captain a month later. Remaining in the RAF after the war Hughie Edwards rose to Air Commodore before finally retiring in September 1963 and returning to his native Australia. Further honours followed and included elevation to knighthood in 1974 and appointment as Governor of West Australia. Air Cdre Sir Hughie Edwards VC, KCMG, CB, DSO OBE, DFC died at his Darling Point home in New South Wales on 5 August 1982, Australia's most decorated airman.
ETO PLANE
Bristol Blenheim MkIV
=====================================
Unit: 107 Sqn RAF, Coastal Command
Serial: R3816
Code: OM-J
Leuchars,
England.
March - May, 1941.
When it carried out the first raid on Germany of World War Two on 4th September 1939, during which it attacked shipping targets in the Schillig Roads off Wilhelmshafen, No.107 Sqn set the tone for Blenheim operations throughout the early part of the War, despite the courage of the crews, only one of the four Blenheims committed actually returned - with its bombs still aboard.
In the late spring of 1940, No. 107 was involved in strikes in Norway, then in France and the Low Countries, in common with most of Bomber Command's Blenheim squadrons. The Squadron OC, the legendary Wg Cdr Basil Embry, led the squadron, and mixed groups from a number of squadrons, on numerous raids, up to three sorties per day at the height of the Battle of France, against German targets on the Continent. This included the joint attack by 107 and 110 Squadrons on bridges across the Albert Canal at Maasticht, during which 7 aircraft out of 24 were lost. During this time, R3816 was flown 39 times (19 operational) by Sqn Ldr John Cater, AFC.
(Wg Cdr Embry was promoted to Gp Capt and ordered to take a rest, it is typical of the man that he wanted to do one last sortie to show his replacement the ropes on 26th May 1940. It is during this last sortie that Embry was shot down by flak and crashed near Eperlecques. He was captured, but managed to escape in the confusion, and two months later, he succeeded in getting back to the UK via Gibraltar.The book, 'Wingless Victory,' by Anthony Richardson, describes his experiences.)
In March 1941 however, the Squadron moved North to Scotland for two months with Coastal Command at Leuchars. In May 1941, they moved back to Great Massingham to rejoin Bomber Command. It can reasonably be assumed that this aircraft remained in this Bomber Command livery throughout the period.
ETO PLANE
Bristol Blenheim MkIV
=====================================
Unit: 139 (Jamaica) Sqn RAF
Serial: L8756
Code: XD-E
Betheniville,
France.
early, 1940.
No.139 Squadron deployed to Betheniville, France, in December 1939 as part of the Advanced Air Striking Force, where it spent the early part of 1940 before moving to Plivot in the spring. It remained based at Plivot during the worst part of the Battle of France, losing the majority of its aircraft during this period. Of particular note is the strike on bridges in the Maastricht area on 12th May, when 139 Squadron lost seven of the nine aircraft it dispatched.
This particular aircraft was one of the very few to survive the Battle of France, and returned to the UK to serve with a number of units. It was still on charge with No.9 Air Observer's School and No.12 (Pilot's) Advanced Flying Unit in 1944.
No.139 Squadron was one of the first units to repaint the undersides of their aircraft, normally black, with the newly-issued 'Camotint' colour which was soon to be officially named 'Sky'.
ETO PLANE
Bristol Blenheim MkIV Series III (British-built)
=====================================
Unit: LeLv48
Serial: BL-129
Pilot: Capt. Esko Antiainen
Onttola airbase,
Finland.
June 1942.
Finland received 12 long-nose Blenheim MkIV bombers, referred to as Series III aircraft, from Britain in 1939 during the Winter War, along with 12 short-nosed Series I Blenheim MkIs. Further aircraft, Mks I, II and IV, were licence-built by the Valtion Lentokonetehdas state aircraft factory. After the fall of Yugoslavia, captured Yugoslav parts for both MkI's and IV were supplied by Germany.
These British-built Series III aircraft were identical to their RAF equivalents in every respect, while Finnish-built aircraft incorporated many improvements such as a second forawrd-firing machine gun in the starboard wing, better armour protection, improved control layout and improved engines. A total of 97 Blenheims from 6 series were used by the Finnish Air Force from 1939 until 1958. As the terms of the terms of the Soviet-Finnish peace treaty banned Finland from possessing any bombers, a number of Blenheims were converted to target tugs.
BL-129 was one of the original batch of 12 MkIVs, and the only one to survive the war.
ETO PLANE
Bristol Blenheim MkIV Series VI (Finnish-built)
=====================================
Unit: LeLv48
Serial: BL-129
Pilot: Capt. Esko Antiainen
Onttola airbase,
Finland.
June 1942.
Finland received 12 long-nose Blenheim MkIV bombers, referred to as Series III aircraft, from Britain in 1939 during the Winter War, along with 12 short-nosed Series I Blenheim MkIs. Further aircraft, Mks I, II and IV, were licence-built by the Valtion Lentokonetehdas state aircraft factory. After the fall of Yugoslavia, captured Yugoslav parts for both MkI's and IV were supplied by Germany.
These British-built Series III aircraft were identical to their RAF equivalents in every respect, while Finnish-built aircraft incorporated many improvements such as a second forawrd-firing machine gun in the starboard wing, better armour protection, improved control layout and improved engines. A total of 97 Blenheims from 6 series were used by the Finnish Air Force from 1939 until 1958. As the terms of the terms of the Soviet-Finnish peace treaty banned Finland from possessing any bombers, a number of Blenheims were converted to target tugs.
BL-129 was one of the original batch of 12 MkIVs, and the only one to survive the war.
MAW PLANE (shows in country Australia)
Bristol Blenheim MkIV
=====================================
Unit: 459 Sqn RAAF
Serial: R3901
Code: GK-J (Joy)
LG.39 Burg el Arab,
Egypt.
May, 1942.
Equipped with Hudson's and Blenheim's, No 459 Squadron formed in Egypt in February 1942 and was part of 201 group RAF. Operating in a maritime patrol and bombing role, the Unit began an intensive campaign against enemy shipping, in particular attacking German tank landing craft and harbour installations.
The Squadron used Blenheim MkIV's from 10th February through to the end of May 1942. For this period they used planes on loan from 203 squadron RAF consisting of four Blenheim MkIV's and two Lockheed Hudson's but by end of May they were solely equipped with Hudson's.
In the four moths they operated Blenheim's the Mediterranean Sea was the focus of the squadron's operations and it operated from airfeilds in Egypt and Libya. During the Blenheim's use the main airfeild was LG.39 Burg el Arab, Egypt.
MAW PLANE (shows in country South Africa)
Bristol Blenheim Mk IVF (Fighter)
=====================================
Unit: 15 Sqn SAAF
Serial: Z7513
Code: B
Pilot: Maj JLV de Wet
Observer: 2Lt JS du Toit
Gunner: A/Sgt AD Vos
Kufra,
Lybia.
May, 1942.
No.15 Squadron SAAF arrived in-theatre in February 1942 and was equipped with Blenheim MkIVF aircraft which it would be using in the ground attack role. Initially based at Amariya, it soon moved to LG.98, and was ordered to send a detachment to Kufra Oasis, a vitally important point which, if occupied by the enemy, could threaten the entire Nile Valley. A ground party was dispatched on 8th April 1942, arriving on 25th April. Meanwhile, three Blenheims were earmarked for Kufra, Z7513, Z7610 and T2252. They arrived safely, with their crews, on 28th April despite problems with the DF station at Kufra which was not functioning correctly. By 3rd May, this had been fixed.
Major de Wet, the detatchment commander, decided that all three Blenheims would take off for a familiarisation flight early on 4th May, and that each would carry an armourer along with the usual desert operations equipment such as jerricans of water and food.
All three aircraft went missing during this familiarisation flight from Kufra Oasis. The three crew members of Z7513 were found dead by their aircraft on 9th May; only one man of the nine aircrew and three armourers aboard survived. Z7513 was cannibalised and abandoned in the desert, although the other two aircraft, Z7610 and T2252 were salvaged and repaired. Z7513 was subsequently rediscovered in 1959, when the bodies of its crew were exhumed and buried in Knightsbridge Cemetery in Acroma, Libya.
It is often inaccurately represented with the code letter 'R' and with a 20mm cannon fixed to fire through the bomb aimer's window; this is an urban legend, and the two photographs which purport to show this modification have been clearly doctored. While it may have been carried out, no photographic evidence appears to exist to support the hypothesis.
Justa heads up that a new set of Blenhiem MkIV bombers and fighters has just been uploaded (CFS3 British aircraft).
See below for full details. again thanks to all involved.
Please make sure you read the install instructions carefully.
regards Rob.
Blenhiem MkIV set includes:
European Theatre of Operations.
Bristol Blenheim MkIV (bomber version) x 6 (3 x RAF, 2 x Coastal Command, 1 x FAF)
Bristol Blenheim MkIV sersies VI (Finnish Built Bomber) x 1 (FAF)
Bristol Blenheim MkIV (Fighter version) x 1 (Coastal Command)
Mediterranean Theatre of Operations.
Bristol Blenheim MkIV (bomber version) x 1 (RAAF)
Bristol Blenheim MkIV (Fighter version) x 1 (SAAF)
Contributor Credits:
Original external model is reworked from Richard (winjeel) Mason's work.
Original internal model parts are reworked from Greg (Seacondor) Laws's work.
Model rework internal and external by Steve (Sdsbolt) Seybolt.
Virtual Cockpit Textures by John (Bravo/4) Whelan.
External Textures by Nigel (ndicki) Dickinson.
Mos File by Nigel (ndicki) Dickinson.
XDP compilation, research by Rob (Capt. Winters) Stevenson.
Bomb Sight by Rob (Capt. Winters) Stevenson.
Flight Model By Rene (greycap.raf) Leppa.
Weapons by AvHistory, Joost (Frosty) and Richard (Winjeel) Mason.
pylon updates by Rob (Capt. Winters) Stevenson.
Revised 8x303 machine gun sounds, by Nigel (ndicki) Dickinson, Clive (Pat Pattle) Morely.
Engine sounds by Lawdog. (see original readme in aircraft\DR_Engine_Sounds\Bristol_Mercury_Sound_2x sound folder.)
Note: if the 2 MAW planes are installed into stock CFS3 it will require the following addons to be installed:
*NEK redux edition by Rick Rutherford. this will give you the extra countries required for the aircraft set.
If the NEK is not installed the two mAW planes will display in the Britain country listings.
...............................AIRCRAFT HISTORIES...............................................
ETO PLANE
Bristol Blenheim Mk IVF (Fighter)
=====================================
Unit: 254 Sqn RAF,Coastal Command
Serial: V5735
Code: QY-D
Aldergrove,
England.
July, 1941.
The squadron was reformed as a coastal fighter unit on 30 October 1939 at Stradishall and became a Coastal Command unit from January 1940. Equipped with Blenheims. The Squadrons Blenheims still mostly wore standard day bomber colours a year and a half later, With dark green/grey earth top sides. Installation of the fighter type ventral gun pack precluded fitting the rearward facing undernose gun turret.
The squadron carried out coastal patrols and convoy escort operations along the East Coast. From April 1940, it added reconnaissance and fighter escort for anti-shipping strikes to its range of duties. The squadron moved to Aldergrove in May 1941 and then to Dyce in December, where it converted to Beaufighters in June 1942.
In August the squadron began to carry out training in the torpedo bombing role and in November it joined the North Coates Strike Wing, remaining as part of the Wing, until June 1945 when the squadron moved to Chivenor. It received some Mosquito XVIIIs in April 1945 but these left in May. Moving to Langham in November it received a Buckmaster for crew conversion onto the Brigand, but it was decided not to issue this type to coastal strike squadrons and so it remained equipped with the Beaufighter until disbanded by being renumbered No 42 Squadron on 1 October 1946.
ETO PLANE
Bristol Blenheim MkIV
=====================================
Unit: 82 Sqn RAF
Serial: P6915
Code: UX-A
Pilot: Sgt A.E. Merritt
Navigator: F/S Robertson
Gunner: Cpl Harris
Watton,
England.
May, 1940.
No.82 Squadron was among the first recipients of the improved Blenheim MkIV in August 1938, and as part of No.2 Group, was engaged in attacking German shipping up until the end of the Phoney War. In May 1940, the squadron was used continuously against targets in France and the Low Countries.
On 17th May, 12 aircraft led by Sqn Ldr Paddy Delap attacked German targets near Gembloux in Belgium. They came under heavy anti aircraft fire which broke up the two boxes of Blenheims, shhoting down only one, but leaving them open to the subsequent attack by Bf109s. Ten more aircraft were shot down in quick succession.
One single aircraft managed to return to Watton, but was itself written off after landing. Three days later, owing to the efforts of the squadron OC, Wg Cdr The Earl of Bandon, the squadron was again operational in support of the BEF, notably around the Dunkirk perimeter and in support of Operation Dynamo.
P6915 was struck off charge after being badly damaged by Bf109s during aa armed recce mission over Abbeville on 7th June 1940
Airborne 11:10 from Wattisham to report enemy movements between Abbeville and St Valery. Badly shot about by Me109s and although a safe return to Wattisham was effected, the Blenheim was declared beyond economical repair and SOC
ETO PLANE
Bristol Blenheim MkIV
=====================================
Unit: 105 Sqn RAF
Serial: V6028
Code: GB-D
Pilot: Wg Cdr Hughie Edwards (RAAF)
Navigator: F/O Laurie Woods
Gunner: Sgt Bob Raisebeck
Swanton Morley,
England.
July 4th, 1941.
Wg Cdr Hughie Edwards DFC set out on a low level bombing raid on the industrial complex at Bremen designated Operation 'Wreckage' it was a repeat of a previously unsuccessful attempt against the same target on the 30th of June. Leading a total force of 15 Blenheims, nine from 105 Squadron and six from 107 Squadron, holding the bombers in a tight formation up to the target area; then, as the crews had been briefed the Blenheims were to separate into loose line-abreast and select individual targets. Once each Blenheim had completed its task it was to be every man for himself on the run-out and return to base. Crossing the North Sea at a mere 50ft above the water the Blenheims crossed into Germany just south of Cuxhaven, then swung southwards to Bremen. The Blenheims made their final approach jinking their way through the outer defence ring of tethered barrage balloons and dodging overhead telegraph cables.
Edwards broke radio silence to order the rest into the planned 'spread' formation, the object being to get his men across the target as quickly as possible before the flak defences were able to predict accurately the bombers' position. Nevertheless, the flak gunners were already throwing up a curtain of terrifying opposition at the raiders' height. Holding his buffeting Blenheim steady, Edwards ran across the dock area and released his bomb load, then, keeping as low as possible, ran across the heart of Bremen until he reached the outer suburbs. Banking left, Edwards circled Bremen to observe results and to watch the other Blenheims as these roared over the city on a mile-wide frontage.
All the Blenheims suffered flak damage as they twisted their way over and away from the target, one of them 'retreating' with severed telegraph cables trailing from its wings and tail unit. Edwards having completed his 'recce', headed towards Bremerhaven and Wilhelmshaven. Skirting Heligoland, he then flew out to sea at zero altitude for some 100 miles north of the Frisians before finally turning west for home. Landing back at base just before noon, he was the last survivor to return. His gunner, Quinn, was extracted from his gun turret by Coles crane and whisked away for medical attention, while the ground crew studied the damage to Edwards' Blenheim, much of the port wingtip missing, no port aileron, a cannon shell in the radio rack, telephone wires round the tail wheel and the under-fuselage looking like a colander with its shell holes.
Immediate awards to the survivors of 'Wreckage' included four DFMs, a DFC, and a Bar to Sgt Quinn's DFM; while on the 22nd of July came the award of a Victoria Cross to Hughie Edwards for the highest possible standard of gallantry and determination'.
Edwards' subsequent wartime career was equally distinguished gaining him a DSO in January 1943 and promotion to Group Captain a month later. Remaining in the RAF after the war Hughie Edwards rose to Air Commodore before finally retiring in September 1963 and returning to his native Australia. Further honours followed and included elevation to knighthood in 1974 and appointment as Governor of West Australia. Air Cdre Sir Hughie Edwards VC, KCMG, CB, DSO OBE, DFC died at his Darling Point home in New South Wales on 5 August 1982, Australia's most decorated airman.
ETO PLANE
Bristol Blenheim MkIV
=====================================
Unit: 107 Sqn RAF, Coastal Command
Serial: R3816
Code: OM-J
Leuchars,
England.
March - May, 1941.
When it carried out the first raid on Germany of World War Two on 4th September 1939, during which it attacked shipping targets in the Schillig Roads off Wilhelmshafen, No.107 Sqn set the tone for Blenheim operations throughout the early part of the War, despite the courage of the crews, only one of the four Blenheims committed actually returned - with its bombs still aboard.
In the late spring of 1940, No. 107 was involved in strikes in Norway, then in France and the Low Countries, in common with most of Bomber Command's Blenheim squadrons. The Squadron OC, the legendary Wg Cdr Basil Embry, led the squadron, and mixed groups from a number of squadrons, on numerous raids, up to three sorties per day at the height of the Battle of France, against German targets on the Continent. This included the joint attack by 107 and 110 Squadrons on bridges across the Albert Canal at Maasticht, during which 7 aircraft out of 24 were lost. During this time, R3816 was flown 39 times (19 operational) by Sqn Ldr John Cater, AFC.
(Wg Cdr Embry was promoted to Gp Capt and ordered to take a rest, it is typical of the man that he wanted to do one last sortie to show his replacement the ropes on 26th May 1940. It is during this last sortie that Embry was shot down by flak and crashed near Eperlecques. He was captured, but managed to escape in the confusion, and two months later, he succeeded in getting back to the UK via Gibraltar.The book, 'Wingless Victory,' by Anthony Richardson, describes his experiences.)
In March 1941 however, the Squadron moved North to Scotland for two months with Coastal Command at Leuchars. In May 1941, they moved back to Great Massingham to rejoin Bomber Command. It can reasonably be assumed that this aircraft remained in this Bomber Command livery throughout the period.
ETO PLANE
Bristol Blenheim MkIV
=====================================
Unit: 139 (Jamaica) Sqn RAF
Serial: L8756
Code: XD-E
Betheniville,
France.
early, 1940.
No.139 Squadron deployed to Betheniville, France, in December 1939 as part of the Advanced Air Striking Force, where it spent the early part of 1940 before moving to Plivot in the spring. It remained based at Plivot during the worst part of the Battle of France, losing the majority of its aircraft during this period. Of particular note is the strike on bridges in the Maastricht area on 12th May, when 139 Squadron lost seven of the nine aircraft it dispatched.
This particular aircraft was one of the very few to survive the Battle of France, and returned to the UK to serve with a number of units. It was still on charge with No.9 Air Observer's School and No.12 (Pilot's) Advanced Flying Unit in 1944.
No.139 Squadron was one of the first units to repaint the undersides of their aircraft, normally black, with the newly-issued 'Camotint' colour which was soon to be officially named 'Sky'.
ETO PLANE
Bristol Blenheim MkIV Series III (British-built)
=====================================
Unit: LeLv48
Serial: BL-129
Pilot: Capt. Esko Antiainen
Onttola airbase,
Finland.
June 1942.
Finland received 12 long-nose Blenheim MkIV bombers, referred to as Series III aircraft, from Britain in 1939 during the Winter War, along with 12 short-nosed Series I Blenheim MkIs. Further aircraft, Mks I, II and IV, were licence-built by the Valtion Lentokonetehdas state aircraft factory. After the fall of Yugoslavia, captured Yugoslav parts for both MkI's and IV were supplied by Germany.
These British-built Series III aircraft were identical to their RAF equivalents in every respect, while Finnish-built aircraft incorporated many improvements such as a second forawrd-firing machine gun in the starboard wing, better armour protection, improved control layout and improved engines. A total of 97 Blenheims from 6 series were used by the Finnish Air Force from 1939 until 1958. As the terms of the terms of the Soviet-Finnish peace treaty banned Finland from possessing any bombers, a number of Blenheims were converted to target tugs.
BL-129 was one of the original batch of 12 MkIVs, and the only one to survive the war.
ETO PLANE
Bristol Blenheim MkIV Series VI (Finnish-built)
=====================================
Unit: LeLv48
Serial: BL-129
Pilot: Capt. Esko Antiainen
Onttola airbase,
Finland.
June 1942.
Finland received 12 long-nose Blenheim MkIV bombers, referred to as Series III aircraft, from Britain in 1939 during the Winter War, along with 12 short-nosed Series I Blenheim MkIs. Further aircraft, Mks I, II and IV, were licence-built by the Valtion Lentokonetehdas state aircraft factory. After the fall of Yugoslavia, captured Yugoslav parts for both MkI's and IV were supplied by Germany.
These British-built Series III aircraft were identical to their RAF equivalents in every respect, while Finnish-built aircraft incorporated many improvements such as a second forawrd-firing machine gun in the starboard wing, better armour protection, improved control layout and improved engines. A total of 97 Blenheims from 6 series were used by the Finnish Air Force from 1939 until 1958. As the terms of the terms of the Soviet-Finnish peace treaty banned Finland from possessing any bombers, a number of Blenheims were converted to target tugs.
BL-129 was one of the original batch of 12 MkIVs, and the only one to survive the war.
MAW PLANE (shows in country Australia)
Bristol Blenheim MkIV
=====================================
Unit: 459 Sqn RAAF
Serial: R3901
Code: GK-J (Joy)
LG.39 Burg el Arab,
Egypt.
May, 1942.
Equipped with Hudson's and Blenheim's, No 459 Squadron formed in Egypt in February 1942 and was part of 201 group RAF. Operating in a maritime patrol and bombing role, the Unit began an intensive campaign against enemy shipping, in particular attacking German tank landing craft and harbour installations.
The Squadron used Blenheim MkIV's from 10th February through to the end of May 1942. For this period they used planes on loan from 203 squadron RAF consisting of four Blenheim MkIV's and two Lockheed Hudson's but by end of May they were solely equipped with Hudson's.
In the four moths they operated Blenheim's the Mediterranean Sea was the focus of the squadron's operations and it operated from airfeilds in Egypt and Libya. During the Blenheim's use the main airfeild was LG.39 Burg el Arab, Egypt.
MAW PLANE (shows in country South Africa)
Bristol Blenheim Mk IVF (Fighter)
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Unit: 15 Sqn SAAF
Serial: Z7513
Code: B
Pilot: Maj JLV de Wet
Observer: 2Lt JS du Toit
Gunner: A/Sgt AD Vos
Kufra,
Lybia.
May, 1942.
No.15 Squadron SAAF arrived in-theatre in February 1942 and was equipped with Blenheim MkIVF aircraft which it would be using in the ground attack role. Initially based at Amariya, it soon moved to LG.98, and was ordered to send a detachment to Kufra Oasis, a vitally important point which, if occupied by the enemy, could threaten the entire Nile Valley. A ground party was dispatched on 8th April 1942, arriving on 25th April. Meanwhile, three Blenheims were earmarked for Kufra, Z7513, Z7610 and T2252. They arrived safely, with their crews, on 28th April despite problems with the DF station at Kufra which was not functioning correctly. By 3rd May, this had been fixed.
Major de Wet, the detatchment commander, decided that all three Blenheims would take off for a familiarisation flight early on 4th May, and that each would carry an armourer along with the usual desert operations equipment such as jerricans of water and food.
All three aircraft went missing during this familiarisation flight from Kufra Oasis. The three crew members of Z7513 were found dead by their aircraft on 9th May; only one man of the nine aircrew and three armourers aboard survived. Z7513 was cannibalised and abandoned in the desert, although the other two aircraft, Z7610 and T2252 were salvaged and repaired. Z7513 was subsequently rediscovered in 1959, when the bodies of its crew were exhumed and buried in Knightsbridge Cemetery in Acroma, Libya.
It is often inaccurately represented with the code letter 'R' and with a 20mm cannon fixed to fire through the bomb aimer's window; this is an urban legend, and the two photographs which purport to show this modification have been clearly doctored. While it may have been carried out, no photographic evidence appears to exist to support the hypothesis.
Thanks Rob. Off to download them all.
thanx Rob!
:salute: :salute:
