Bristol Blenheim Ops
On Friday 5 July 2024, I had the opportunity to organise a unique photo shoot with the iconic Bristol Blenheim bomber aircraft. The photo shoot took place at Zwartberg airfield (not far from Genk) where the only still flying Bristol Blenheim specially came too as part of a commemoration. Together with some reenactors from the Belgian Irvin Squadron, I organised the photo shoot in the late afternoon for some 40 photographers and numerous scenarios were played out around the Blenheim bomber.
The Bristol Blenheim was a British light bomber aircraft designed and built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, which was used extensively in the first two years of the Second World War. The aircraft originated from a private initiative by Lord Rothermere, a British newspaper magnate, who wanted a fast commercial aircraft. This led to the Bristol Type 142, which was eventually adapted into the Blenheim after the RAF showed interest. The Blenheim was one of the first British aircraft with an all-metal stressed-skin construction, retractable landing gear, flaps, a powered gun turret and variable-pitch propellers. The Blenheim Mk.I was faster than most of the RAF's biplane fighters in the late 1930s but advances soon left it vulnerable if flown in daylight, though it proved successful as a night fighter. The Blenheim was effective as a bomber but many were shot down. The Blenheim typically carried a crew of three, pilot, navigator/bombardier and wireless (radio) operator/air gunner. Although the aircraft was initially praised for its performance, it quickly became outdated as the war progressed. It was under-armed and not as fast as modern enemy fighters, leading to its replacement by more advanced aircraft such as the de Havilland Mosquito. Despite its limitations, the Bristol Blenheim played an important role in the early air campaigns of the Allies. It participated in the first British air raid on Germany and in major campaigns such as the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain. Both Blenheim types (Mk.I & Mk.IV) were used by foreign operators and examples were licence built in Yugoslavia and Finland, in addition to Canada.
The author/photographer would like to thank the Royal Aeroclub Limburgse Vleugels (RALV), Aircraft Restoration Company and all the reenactors of the Irvin Squadron for this fantastic event!
Text: Kris Christiaens
Photos: Kris Christiaens
