Blenheim or Battle, what's the difference?

Obvious when you stop to think about it.

BTW, both engine’s crankshafts rotated the same way, clockwise from the front. Very long thread a few months ago.

Re: Blenheim or Battle, what’s the difference?

Originally posted by Roger S
Last week, a prop was donated to our museum, that was found in the Haringvliet (more or less in the Rotterdam aerea). It is of the type used on the early Blenheim (the ones with the large glasshouse) and on the Battle (we were told). Is there anyway we can identify the prop so that we can trace it to the exact type, Blenheim or Battle? BW Roger

Well I never! Someone really got their knickers in a twist with that one. How did they get the idea that the same propeller was used on the Battle and the Blenheim? The Bristol Mercury propeller rotates anti clockwise as seen from the engine and the RR Merlin’s rotates clockwise. Don’t ask me which way the engines rotated though as they were both geared not direct drive.

Don’t forget the Belgian Air force also operated the Battle,many of them built in belgium by Avions Fairey.Looking forward to seeing the pic Roger…

It is very twisted, but I am going to post a pic tomorrow. BW Roger

The Battle did make it to Holland, there was the famous Maastricht bridges attack. They both had 3 bladed props, the battles is bigger. If my memory is correct the battle is more distinctive having the pitch gear on the rear of the prop wheres the Blenhiem was ‘flush’. Im sure somebody will correct me though;) .

I understood that severall were lost (in this direction) in the first year of the War. On the other hand, maybe it was a Belgium Battle which found a sea grave? BW Roger