Many years ago I recall seeing a photo of a Blenheim IV in the Libyan/Egyptian desert in a book I used to possess. I believe it was by Leslie Hunt and it was basically a compilation of known surviving vintage aircraft around the world whether preserved or abandoned wrecks.
The book dated I believe from the late 60’s/early 70’s and the caption on the photo listed the aircraft as still surviving somewhere in Egypt or Libya but my memory lets me down where exactly, and unfortunately I no longer have the book. The photo showed the aircraft in a rather dilapidated condition but still essentially complete, but still on its undercarriage.
Does anyone what ultimately happened to this aircraft. I appreciate that the odds are rather slim that its still there and that it probably got carted off some by some scrap merchant, but it would be nice to have definite confirmation.
Thx in advance for any info.
Simon
By: G-ORDY - 12th June 2007 at 07:12
I have Leslie Hunt’s “Veteran and Vintage Aircraft”, fourth revised edition, 1974 in front of me as I write.
There are no pictures of Blenheims in the “Near East, Middle East and Africa” section (pages 154 – 160). The books index lists only two Blenheims extant at that time, a Blenheim IV (unserialled) at the Belgian Air Force museum and Blenheim IV BL-200 listed at Luonetjarv Air Base in Finland.
Also listed are 5 Bolingbroke, 2 Beaufort and 8 Beaufighter.
Maybe another book?
It was in the First (paperback) and Second (Harback) editions – photo appeared in Air Pictorial around 1964/65. It was an ex-SAAF example.
By: flyernzl - 11th June 2007 at 10:04
I have Leslie Hunt’s “Veteran and Vintage Aircraft”, fourth revised edition, 1974 in front of me as I write.
There are no pictures of Blenheims in the “Near East, Middle East and Africa” section (pages 154 – 160). The books index lists only two Blenheims extant at that time, a Blenheim IV (unserialled) at the Belgian Air Force museum and Blenheim IV BL-200 listed at Luonetjarv Air Base in Finland.
Also listed are 5 Bolingbroke, 2 Beaufort and 8 Beaufighter.
Maybe another book?
By: SimonDav - 10th June 2007 at 23:15
I have just read the caption on the bottom of the black and white photo of the nose section and it states the aircraft contained a forward fuselage field mod, namely a long barrelled 20mm cannon. Never heard of this before in a Blenheim, was this the only one so modified, if so a very rare bird.
By: SimonDav - 10th June 2007 at 22:34
Yes that looks like it. Of the 3 black and white photos at the bottom of the page the top left photo looks very familiar.
Oh well no hope there then, I never thought there would be but its still sad to see whats left. One wonders when the scrapmen got to it.
By: Humu - 10th June 2007 at 21:29
Is it perhaps this?
By: adrian_gray - 10th June 2007 at 20:15
IIRC there was a piece in A*******e Monthly a couple of years ago. Like the Hermes, the scrappies got to it – just a centre section left behind now.
Adrian
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June 10, 2007 at 6:02 pm