As has been reported here before part of the IWM’s film collection is now available for viewing on their website and being a big Blenheim fan I found some real gems simply by searching on Bristol Blenheim. Below is a screenshot of a sequence that caught my (always looking for Blenheim details) eye. It shows Mk IV Blenheims of 110, 82 and 15 Sqns:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]260278[/ATTACH]
We see the standard variations in under-nose armament. The very first aircraft sports the FN 54A turret, the third has the Bristol under-nose blister but what is going on under the nose of the second Blenheim? It seems to have a tub or gondola much like the Mk V has but it is definitely a Mk IV and I’ve never seen anything like it! Photo reproduced for research purposes.
By the way, I’m sure I’ve seen a photo of more or less the same scene in a book somewhere.
Would appreciate any pointers or suggestions as to what is going on here. A one off modification perhaps? The LS Sqn code tells us it’s a 15 Sqn aircraft and the serial is I think in the T range but that’s all I can make out :(.
TIA & cheers,
Walter
By: Walter 63 - 3rd May 2018 at 20:03
Gentlemen, thank you all for your input!
Jerry, I see where you’re “aiming at” with your 20 mm cannon suggestion but as pointed out by Martin that was a field mod by I believe a South African unit in the Western Desert, the gun being installed internally and poking through the bomb aiming window in the nose. Must have put quite a strain on the nose structure! Also, the Blens in the still are all bombers of course.
Mothminor, thanks for that Alamy photo link and the extra info it gives. Something concocted on Sqn level perhaps? Must have created an awful lot of extra drag compared to the standard blister and the FN54A turret though. Just wondering if the observer could sit/lie facing backwards in that tub so as to operate the gun in a “normal” manner, normal as opposed to trying to aim via a mirror system as in the blister and FN54A.
Quite intriguing, isn’t it :)?
Cheers,
Walter
By: D1566 - 3rd May 2018 at 09:35
Hi
interesting thanks for posting
i wonder if a 20mm forward facing cannon woud fit in there
cheers
jerry
I believe that the Blenheim 20mm installation was a field mod and that it was installed internally in the nose compartment.
By: brewerjerry - 3rd May 2018 at 03:13
Hi
Thanks for the link,
i didnt notice the engine nacelle rear guns on the other blenheim 🙂
jerry
By: Mothminor - 2nd May 2018 at 21:21
Hi Walter,
Full photograph on the Alamy website where it states the Blenheim is T1947 and it is a long gun tray beneath the nose. The nose poking into the front of your screengrab belongs to a lovely Percival Q6 –
By: olly_s - 2nd May 2018 at 20:07
Seems something is pointing out of the back? Also as the number is just ‘LS’ and no individual letter, I’d assume its some sort of test/ non-operation aircraft used for research? maybe its a radar holder haha
By: brewerjerry - 2nd May 2018 at 16:22
Hi
interesting thanks for posting
i wonder if a 20mm forward facing cannon woud fit in there
cheers
jerry
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May 1, 2018 at 8:18 pm