So the other day I was contacted by a woman who is writing a historical fiction novel involving the Blenheim bomber. She found a picture I had of one online and asked if I could help her with some details. Here is what she wants to know:
“I have my hero, the pilot, ordering his two crew to bail out after the plane’s engines fail. I would like to know how this would have been done, where the gunner would have sat, what the interior of the plane was like. I’ve found plenty of photos of the exterior but nothing of the interior.”
I know someone here has to have some good working knowledge of this particular plane. Any info? Thanks guys.
The gunner had a downward-opening hatch, just forward of the turret, with a short ladder. The cockpit was cramped, to put it mildly, and getting out (also upwards, by the look of it) must have been a nightmare for the pilot and navigator. Is her Blenheim the early, blunt-nosed, Mk.I, or the longer-nosed, assymetric-shaped Mk.IV (not that escaping would have been very different in either?) If you let me have your (or hers) E-mail address, I can scan a cutaway drawing of the whole airframe, and might be able to do a couple of cockpit shots (though their size, and quality, isn’t the best.)
A place that might be of assistance is the Canadian Warplane Heritage. They are in the process of restoring a Blenheim (and its going to look great!). If by the slim chance you are near Hamilton, Ontario it is well worth a visit. If not I am sure they would be happy to assist you through e-mail.
In a book I recently read that was author by an RAF Wing Commander, he reflected on incidents where the RAF mistook Blenheims as Germany bombers. Several were accidentally dispatched by both Hurrican and Spritfire squadrons. Since IFF transponders weren’t yet invented, everything relied on the MkI Eyeball, which in marginal weather and visibility conditions had its limits.
