Bristol Blenheim, part nine, the Blenheim during early 1940

 

The Bristol Blenheim was a twin-engined high-performance all-metal bomber aircraft that was powered by two Bristol Mercury VIII air-cooled radial engines yielding 860 hp each. Each engine drove a three-bladed propeller and were equipped with both manual and electronic engine starters. To make maintenance easier, engine cowlings were designed with a split-segment to facilitate quick engine removal without having to disturb the carburetors. Two fuel tanks, each containing 140 gallons (637 litres) were housed in the central section of the fuselage.

The fuselage employed a light alloy monocoque structure using open section stingers and was built in three sections. The wing was also built in three sections, with the central one bolted and riveted into the fuselage. Outer wings were tapered in chord and thickness. Spars, ribs, skin, flaps and webs were sheeted in Alclad in order to reinforce them. The tail unit was of cantilever monoplane style, employing an all-metal tailplane and fin, with the aerodynamically-balanced rudder and elevators used a metal frame covered with fabric. The undercarriage was hydraulically retracted and had an auxiliary hand-pump for emergency cases. Medium-pressure tyres were employed with pneumatically-actuated differentially control-brakes.

When the Royal Air Force's (RAF) Advanced Air Striking Force (AASF) was deployed to France many Blenheims conducted short range bombing missions against German industrial targets. Many of Blenheim Mk.IV-equipped squadrons were employed during the Phoney War period. 

During the German invasion of Denmark and Norway in April 1940, Blenheims belonging to detachments of Nos. 107 and 110 Squadrons, based in RAF Lossiemouth, Scotland, conducted anti-shipping missions to intercept and bomb German warships en-route to Norwegian ports. These missions were, however, not effective and they did not report any enemy losses. As German troops started to gain foot on Norwegian lands, the aforementioned  squadrons were ordered to change their targets to attack enemy occupied airfields along the Norwegian coast. Luftwaffe fighter interception was unavoidable and, when the Blenheims pressed home their attacks, they suffered high losses. By early May, the Allied presence in Norway was hopeless and both squadrons were rebased to RAF Wattisham, Suffolk, to be prepared for the expected German offensive in central Europe.

Sources:

1.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_Blenheim

2. Signal Squadron - Aircraft In action 88 - Bristol Blenheim in Action

3. Hall Park Books - Warpaint 26 - Bristol Blenheim

4.Osprey Publishing - Combat Aircraft 5 - Blenheim Squadrons of World War 2