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121-431: The museum was founded in 1989, having emerged from a group associated with EAA Chapter 124. Late the following year, three members of the museum were killed when a PV-2D they were flying crashed into Clear Lake . Nevertheless, the museum expanded, acquiring a number of aircraft in the 1990s including an Il-14 and an F-8 in 1993, an A-6E in 1994, an F-16N and F-14 in 1995 and a UH-1H in 1996. The museum merged in 1999 with

242-476: A Staffelkapitän identified as Hauptmann Albrecht von Ankum-Frank. Two other 109s were claimed by Blenheim gunners. Another successful raid on Haamstede was made by a single Blenheim on 7 August which destroyed one 109 of 4./JG 54, heavily damaged another, and caused lighter damage to four more. There were also some missions which produced an almost 100% casualty rate amongst the Blenheims. One such operation

363-616: A Blenheim from the Fighter Interception Unit (FIU) at RAF Ford achieved the first success on the night of 2–3 July 1940, accounting for a Dornier Do 17 bomber. The Blenheim was replaced by the faster and more heavily-armed Bristol Beaufighter in 1940–1941. On 11 June 1940, only hours after Italy's entry into the war on Germany's side, several Blenheim IVs bombed Italian positions. In mid-1940, reinforcement ferry routes were established throughout Africa, starting in Takoradi on

484-805: A Japanese island. Often, PV-1s would lead B-24 bomber formations, since they were equipped with radar. In late 1943, PV-1s were deployed to the Solomon Islands and to the newly captured field at Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands . After the war, the U.S. Navy deemed many PV-1s obsolete and the aircraft were sent to Naval Air Station Clinton , Oklahoma to be demilitarized and reduced to scrap. Lokheed PV-1 Ventura Harpoon m.m.80074 – Museo Piana delle Orme - Latina - Italy Data from General characteristics Performance Armament Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Related lists Bristol Blenheim The Bristol Blenheim

605-854: A PV-2 executive aircraft conversion dubbed Centaurus starting in 1958. The cost of the conversion was $ 155,000 in addition to the airframe. The Portuguese Air Force received 42 Lockheed PV-2C Harpoons from 1953, which replaced the Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver as an anti-submarine aircraft. The Harpoons equipped squadrons 61 and 62 at the Montijo Air Base . In 1960, the Harpoons were replaced as maritime patrol and anti-submarine aircraft by Lockheed P2V-5 Neptunes . The remaining Harpoons were sent to Angola and Mozambique , where they formed Squadron 91 operating from Luanda Air Base and Squadron 101 from Beira Air Base. The Harpoons were used on operations in

726-505: A bombardier's position, which was deleted in the PV-2. Some other significant developments included the increase of the bombload by 30% to 4,000 lb (1,800 kg), and the ability to carry eight 5-inch (127 mm) HVAR rockets under the wings. While the PV-2 was expected to have increased range and better takeoff, the anticipated speed statistics were projected lower than those of the PV-1, due to

847-741: A few months. The Mk IF proved to be slower and less manoeuvrable than expected, and by June 1940 daylight Blenheim losses caused concern for Fighter Command. The Mk IF was relegated mainly to night fighter duties where No. 23 Squadron RAF , which had already operated them at night, soon relegated them to night intruder operations as they were not effective as night fighters. In the German night-bombing raid on London on 18 June 1940, Blenheims accounted for five German bombers, thus proving that they were better-suited for night fighting. In July, No. 600 Squadron, by then based at RAF Manston , had some of its Mk IFs equipped with AI Mk III radar. With this radar equipment,

968-590: A huge variety of spare parts, although some of these had been damaged or otherwise destroyed through sabotage . Yugoslavia had ceased production of the Mk I and commenced a production run of Mk IVs just prior to the April 1941 invasion. The British-made Blenheims had RAF green interiors, RAF seat belts and instruments on imperial units, while Finnish-made Blenheims had medium grey interiors, Finnish-style seat belts and metric instruments. The Finnish Blenheims flew 423 missions during

1089-411: A metal frame covered with fabric. The undercarriage was hydraulically -retracted, with an auxiliary hand-pump for emergency actuation; medium-pressure tyres were used, complete with pneumatically -actuated differentially-control brakes. The Blenheim typically carried a crew of three – pilot, navigator/bombardier and wireless (radio) operator /air gunner. The pilot's quarters on the left side of

1210-596: A pack with three 0.50 inch (12.7 mm) machine guns underneath the nose. These aircraft could also carry eight 5-inch (127 mm) HVAR rockets on launchers underneath the wings. The PV-1 began to be delivered in December 1942, and entered service in February 1943. The first squadron in combat was VP-135, deployed in the Aleutian Islands in April 1943. They were operated by three other squadrons in this theatre. From

1331-639: A replica of the Electra". It was designated Type 135 . In early 1934, Lord Rothermere , owner of the Daily Mail newspaper, challenged the British aviation industry to build a high-speed aircraft capable of carrying six passengers and two crew members – he referred to the ambition as seeking "the fastest commercial aeroplane in Europe, if not the world". German firms were producing record-breaking high-speed designs, such as

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1452-480: A semi-retracting Bristol Type B Mk I dorsal turret firing to the rear. From 1939 onwards, the Lewis gun was replaced by the more modern .303 in (7.7 mm) Vickers VGO machine gun . A 1,000 lb (450 kg) bomb load could be carried in the internal bomb bay set into the centre section of the fuselage. Like most contemporary British aircraft, the bomb bay doors were kept closed with bungee cords and opened under

1573-531: A training role at 1 Central Flying School, Trenton, Ontario, and at RCAF Station Pennfield Ridge, New Brunswick (RAF No. 34 Operational Training Unit) as part of the BCATP . A total of 21 Mk. Is, 108 Mk. IIs, and 157 G.R. Mk. Vs were in service during this period for a total of 286 aircraft. The SAAF also received some 135 PV-1s, which were used to protect shipping around the Cape of Good Hope and to bomb Italian shipping in

1694-567: A wider and rapid expansion of the RAF. The first aircraft built of this production model, K7033 , served as the only prototype; on 25 June 1936, K7033 conducted its first flight from Filton. The service name for the aircraft became Blenheim Mk I after the famous battle during the War of the Spanish Succession . On 10 March 1937, production deliveries to the RAF formally started; 114 Squadron became

1815-621: Is a British light bomber designed and built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company , which was used extensively in the first two years of the Second World War , with examples still being used as trainers until the end of the war. Development began with the Type 142 , a civil airliner, after a challenge from the newspaper proprietor Lord Rothermere to produce the fastest commercial aircraft in Europe. The Type 142 first flew in April 1935, and

1936-448: Is also built in three sections, the centre-section of which is bolted and rivetted to the fuselage. The outer wing sections are tapered in chord and thickness. Extensive use of Alclad sheeting is made in elements such as the ribs , skin, flaps , and web reinforcement of the spars . The tail unit is of a cantilever monoplane style, using an all-metal tailplane and fin while the aerodynamically-balanced rudder and elevators use

2057-558: Is owned by the Museum of Transport and Technology in Auckland . Some 264 Ventura Mark IIs ordered by the RAF were transferred to the U.S. Army Air Force. Though some were used as anti-submarine patrol bombers under the designation B-34 Lexington , most were used for training with various stateside units. Twenty-seven of these were used by the U.S. Navy for anti-submarine patrols as well; these were designated PV-1 Ventura and PV-2 Harpoon. During

2178-401: Is the former dope and fabric shop for Santa Rosa Army Airfield. Next to the museum, immediately to the north, is the airplane hangar used in the 1963 Hollywood all-star comedy movie, It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World . In the movie, stunt pilot Frank Tallman flies a Beech 18 through the airplane hangar, with only 23 feet of clearance from wingtip to wingtip, and only 15 feet from the top of

2299-572: The 1st Air Fleet ( Kidō Butai ); the Imperial Japanese main carrier battle group (Admiral Chūichi Nagumo ). The Blenheims approached undetected by the A6M2 Zero combat air patrol (CAP) fighters and surprised the Japanese carrier battle group. While the bombers attacked fleet carrier Akagi from an altitude of 11,000 feet (3,400 m), they missed. Four of the Blenheims were shot down over

2420-740: The Air Ministry , ordered a modified design as the Type 142M for the Royal Air Force (RAF) as a bomber. Deliveries of the new Blenheim to RAF squadrons commenced on 10 March 1937. In service the Type 142M became the Blenheim Mk.I which would be developed into the long-nosed Type 149, the Blenheim Mk.IV, except in Canada where Fairchild Canada built the Type 149 under licence as the Bolingbroke. The Type 160 Bisley

2541-553: The Angolan and Mozambican theatres of the Portuguese Overseas War (1961–1974). They served mainly as light bombers and ground attack aircraft, with occasional reconnaissance, transport and maritime patrol sorties. The last Portuguese Harpoons were retired in 1975. The Museu do Ar (Portuguese Air Museum) has what is believed to be the only remaining Lockheed PV-2C Harpoon in Europe. The first Ventura Mark Is were accepted by

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2662-654: The British Expeditionary Force of the Army . In May 1940, AASF and BEF Blenheims participated in the Battle of France , being sent against German forces moving towards Brussels , resulting in many aircraft quickly sustaining heavy damage or being lost to enemy fire. German attacks upon the French airfields also damaged a considerable number of Blenheims on the ground. On 14 May, a combined force of Fairey Battles and Blenheims

2783-528: The DFC for his part in the raid. From 5 September 1940 Blenheims of Bomber Command began a bombing campaign targeting German-occupied ports along the English Channel , alongside heavier bomber types. Bomber Command Blenheims also performed anti-shipping patrols due to Coastal Command's own strike squadrons being heavily depleted throughout the latter half of 1940. On 11 March 1940, a Blenheim IV, P4852 , became

2904-545: The Dunkirk evacuation by harassing enemy forces. Rapid advances in technology which had taken place in the late 1930s had rendered the Blenheim mostly obsolete by the outbreak of the war. In particular, it had become heavier as extra service equipment was installed; much of this was found to be necessary through operational experience. This, coupled with the rapid performance increases of the fighters that would oppose it, had eclipsed

3025-635: The Gold Coast . By the end of 1940, a total of three RAF squadrons equipped with Blenheim IV aircraft were performing anti-shipping, bombing, and reconnaissance missions in support of Allied ground forces in North Africa. By July 1941, it had been recognised that, in response to the increasing intensity of combat in North Africa and in the Middle East theatres, additional squadrons were urgently required. In

3146-616: The Miller Brewing Company and grandson of founder Frederick Miller . The company plane was bound for Winnipeg , Manitoba , but had trouble with both engines and crashed shortly after takeoff from Mitchell Field in Milwaukee , Wisconsin . Also killed were his oldest son, 20-year-old Fred, Jr., and the two company pilots, Joseph and Paul Laird. Oakland Airmotive (later Bay Aviation Services, based in Oakland, California) also offered

3267-563: The Netherlands . On 6 December 1942, 47 Venturas from 21, 464 (RAAF) and 487 (RNZAF) squadrons participated in Operation Oyster , the large daylight 2 Group raid against the Philips radio and vacuum tube factories at Eindhoven . Also committed to the raid were 36 Bostons and 10 de Havilland Mosquitos . Carrying incendiaries, they were placed in the third wave of aircraft, and suffered

3388-636: The Northern Territory , and later serving in the Borneo campaign of 1945 . After the war, the squadron used its aircraft to help transport liberated prisoners of war . A total of 157 Ventura G.R. Mk. Vs were used operationally by the RCAF from 16 June 1942 to 18 April 1947 in the home defence coastal patrol role in both Eastern and Western Air Command. They were flown by 8, 113, 115, 145, and 149 Squadrons. A further 21 Ventura Mk. Is and 108 Ventura Mk. IIs were used in

3509-678: The RAF Advanced Air Striking Force (AASF) was deployed to numerous airfields in France, allowing for shorter range bombing missions against German targets, including industries. Several squadrons of Blenheim IVs were assigned to the AASF, being frequently used against targets in France and the Low Countries once the Battle of France had begun. Blenheims were also assigned to the air component of

3630-598: The Redwood Empire Aviation Historical Society , a smaller organization. In late 2001, the museum, which had rented a variety of hangars and tie-down spots for its collection of aircraft, at the Sonoma County airport, began the process of moving to a larger facility. In December 2010, the museum acquired an F-15 Eagle which, after launching from Otis Air National Guard Base in Massachusetts ,

3751-452: The Royal Air Force (RAF) in September 1941, with aircraft being delivered to Britain from April 1942. By the end of August, enough Venturas had arrived to equip No. 21 Squadron RAF , No. 487 Squadron RNZAF and No. 464 Squadron RAAF . The Ventura flew its first operational mission for the RAF on 3 November 1942, when three Venturas of 21 Squadron attacked railway targets near Hengelo in

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3872-528: The Royal Air Force . Used in daylight attacks against occupied Europe, they proved to have weaknesses and were removed from bomber duty and some used for patrols by Coastal Command . After USAAF monopolization of land-based bombers was removed, the US Navy ordered a revised design which entered service as the PV-2 Harpoon for anti-submarine work. At the start of the war, Lockheed proposed military conversions of

3993-577: The fall of France in June 1940, the Free French Air Force was formed at RAF Odiham , Hampshire , in the form of Groupe Mixte de Combat (GMC) 1, consisting of a mixed bag of Blenheims and Westland Lysander liaison/observation aircraft, which were later dispatched to North Africa and saw action against Italian and German forces. Blenheim units operated throughout the Battle of Britain , often taking heavy casualties, although they were never accorded

4114-442: The main spar to accommodate a sizeable bomb bay. Other modifications included the addition of a bomb-aimer's position and a Browning machine gun in the port wing along with provisions for a semi-retractable gun turret in the dorsal position. In September 1935, an initial contract for 150 aircraft was placed. The Air Ministry had chosen to order the type directly from the drawing board, having been urgently sought as one piece of

4235-407: The 1950s and 1960s as high-speed executive transports. The earliest conversions, called Super Venturas , incorporated a 48 in (122 cm) fuselage stretch, extra fuel tankage, large picture windows, luxury interiors, and weapons bays transformed into baggage compartments. The landing gear was swapped for the heavier-duty units from the PV-2. Later conversions, of which eighteen were completed in

4356-461: The 1960s, were called Howard 350 s. At least nineteen PV-1s were further modified, including cabin pressurization under the designation Howard 500 . A final PV-1 modification by Howard was the Eldorado 700 , with longer wings, a pointed nose, and streamlined engine cowlings. A notable crash of a civilian version occurred on December 17, 1954, killing four, including Fred Miller , president of

4477-664: The Aleutians, they flew strikes against bases in Paramushiro and Shimushu , Japanese islands in the Kurile chain . Often, PV-1s would lead B-24 bomber formations, since they were equipped with radar. In late 1943, some PV-1s were deployed to the Solomon Islands as night fighters with VMF(N)-531 , a Marine Corps fighter squadron. The PV-2 Harpoon was a major redesign of the Ventura with

4598-599: The B-34 and B-37 by Lockheed would cease, and instead these resources would be directed at building a navalized version, the PV-1 Ventura . The PV-1 began to be delivered in December 1942, and entered service in February 1943. The first squadron in combat was VP-135, deployed in the Aleutian Islands in April 1943. They were operated by three other squadrons in this theatre. From the Aleutians, they flew strikes against Paramushiro,

4719-638: The Blenheim IV continued until June 1943, when newcomers such as the Beaufort -derived Beaufighter had succeeded the type. A total of 3,307 were produced. A long-range fighter version, the Blenheim Mk IF, was also developed. For this role, about 200 Blenheims were fitted with a gun pack under the fuselage for four .303 in (7.7 mm) Brownings. Later, the Airborne Intercept (AI) Mk III or IV radar

4840-518: The Blenheim Mk II, which increased tankage from 278 to 468 imp gal (1,260 to 2,130 L; 334 to 562 US gal). Only one Blenheim Mk II was completed, as flight tests revealed the increase in speed to be marginal and not warranting further development. Another modification resulted in the Blenheim Mk III, which lengthened the nose, dispensing with the "stepless cockpit" format of

4961-576: The Blenheim Mk IV. In early 1939, the first batch of Blenheim Mk IVs were accepted into service; these lacked outer fuel tanks but were accepted due to the urgent demand for the type. Early Blenheim Mk IVs were also equipped with the Mercury VIII engine, most were fitted with the more powerful Mercury XV or Mercury 25 models. Further aircraft deliveries were made to the production standard and were primarily manufactured by Avro and Rootes. Production of

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5082-412: The Blenheim Mk.I had been subject to considerable criticism, prompting the development of an improved model to rectify the shortcomings. On 24 September 1937, an experimental Blenheim Mk.I, modified with an extended forward fuselage beyond its original stepless cockpit , smooth-fronted nose enclosure, made its first flight from Filton. Formal work on an extended-range reconnaissance version started as

5203-571: The Blenheim's speed advantage. In January 1941, the Air Staff classified the Blenheim as inadequate in terms of performance and armament for current operations. The light armament was seldom able to deter fighter opposition. Squadrons were forced to use several different improvisations in an attempt to provide better defensive armament, until officially sanctioned modifications were able to be introduced in early 1940. The Blenheim also proved to be vulnerable to anti-aircraft artillery , especially around

5324-546: The Blenheim, including Romania , Greece and Turkey . By September 1939, orders for the Blenheim had risen to 2,088 aircraft. Total production of the Blenheim Mk I in England was 1,351 aircraft prior to the end of the production run in 1939; production had been terminated in favour of more advanced variants. The Blenheim production programme saw several shifts in requirements and in capacity. A modified Blenheim design, given

5445-689: The Blenheim, ordering 18 Blenheim Mk Is, which were delivered from Britain between June 1937 and July 1938. Two years later, Finland obtained a manufacturing licence for the Blenheim. Before any aircraft could be manufactured at the Valtion lentokonetehdas (State Aeroplane Factory) in Finland, the Winter War broke out, forcing the Finns to order more aircraft from the UK. A further 24 British-manufactured Blenheims were ordered during

5566-407: The Blenheims once again proved to be too slow and vulnerable against Luftwaffe fighters and they took constant casualties. On 12 August 1941, an action described by The Daily Telegraph in 2006 as being the "RAF's most audacious and dangerous low-level bombing raid, a large-scale attack against power stations near Cologne" took place. The raid was a low-level daylight raid by 54 Blenheims under

5687-412: The Lodestar for the RAF as replacement for the Hudson reconnaissance aircraft and the Bristol Blenheim bomber. The first British order was placed in February 1940 for 25 Model 32 as bombers. This was followed by an order for 300 Model 37 with Double Wasp engines, then for a further 375 later in 1940. Lockheed needed more production capacity and nearby Vega Aircraft Corporation was contracted for building

5808-405: The Mediterranean. In December 1942 four SAAF Venturas dropped supplies to survivors of the Dunedin Star shipwreck on South-West Africa 's Skeleton Coast . Venturas served in the South African Air Force until 1960. A few US Navy PV-1s force-landed in the Soviet Union after attacking Japanese targets on the Kurile islands and were impounded. Some of them were repaired and pressed into service by

5929-482: The Middle East and Far East – received this variant but operated them generally only for a few months. One Blenheim Mk IV left in Java by the retreating British forces in 1942 ended up in the hands of the fledgling Indonesian Air Force (AURI). They repaired it, installed 950 hp (699 kW) Nakajima Sakae engines, painted it in their colours, and flew it around Yogyakarta on at least three occasions. On 9 April 1942, nine Blenheims from 11 Squadron attacked

6050-408: The Middle East were relocated from the theatre to the Far East in response to the new threat from Japanese forces. Blenheims continued to operate widely in many combat roles until about 1943, equipping RAF squadrons in the UK and at British bases in Aden , India, British Malaya , Singapore, and the Dutch East Indies . Many Blenheims were lost to Japanese fighters during the Malayan Campaign and

6171-430: The Mk.I, introducing a true windscreen in front of the pilot, to provide more room for the bomb aimer. This required the nose to be "scooped out" in front of the pilot to maintain visibility during takeoff and landing. Both modifications were combined, along with a newer version of the Mercury engine with 905 hp (675 kW). The turret acquired a pair of Brownings in place of the original single Vickers K gun, creating

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6292-479: The PV-1 was increased from 1,345 gal (5,081 L) to 1,607 gal (6,082 L), to increase its range; the forward defensive armament was also reduced for this reason. The most important addition was of an ASD-1 search radar. Early production PV-1s still carried a bombardier's station behind the nose radome, with four side windows and a flat bomb-aiming panel underneath the nose. Late production PV-1s dispensed with this bombardier position and replaced it with

6413-403: The PV-2 into service. The PV-2s already delivered were used for training purposes under the designation PV-2C. By the end of 1944, only 69 PV-2s had been delivered. They finally resumed when the redesign was complete. The first aircraft shipped were the PV-2D, which had eight forward-firing machine guns and was used in ground attacks. When World War II ended, all of the order was cancelled. With

6534-450: The RAF as the Ventura G.R.V in the Mediterranean and by Coastal Command. Some RAF aircraft were modified into Ventura C.V transport aircraft. A small number of Venturas were also used in other air forces, including the RCAF, RNZAF and SAAF. In the United Kingdom, No. 464 Squadron RAAF formed (mixture of Commonwealth personnel) at RAF Feltwell in September 1942 to operate the Ventura as part of 2 Group , Bomber Command; it converted to

6655-510: The RNZAF backed away from the Patrol Bomber concept, orders for PV-2 Harpoons were canceled after a handful of aircraft had been delivered. At VJ Day only 30 PV-1 aircraft remained on the front-line with No. 3 Squadron at Jacquinot Bay . Planned re-equipment with de Havilland Mosquitos did not take place until after the cessation of hostilities. The last Ventura unit was No. 2 Squadron, which continued to operate PV-1 and PV-2 aircraft on meteorological duty until 1948. A restored RNZAF RB-34 (NZ4600)

6776-438: The Soviet Air Force where the type became known as the B-34. By December 1944, eight planes were located on airfields on Kamchatka: four were fully airworthy, three were undergoing repairs and one was a write-off. By 1945 seven PV-1s (five of them being airworthy) were used by the Soviets, one plane was the personal liaison aircraft of Ltc M.A. Yeryomin. The planes were used during the Soviet-Japanese campaign in August 1945. After

6897-508: The U.S. in June had much equipment either missing or damaged. Six airworthy machines were hurriedly produced by cannibalization and sent into action with No. 3 Squadron RNZAF in Fiji . On 26 June the first PV-1s were flown to Whenuapai and No. 1 Squadron RNZAF was able to convert to 18 of these by 1 August, then replacing the mixed 3 Squadron in action at Henderson Field , Guadalcanal in late October. By this time No. 2 Squadron RNZAF at Ohakea and No. 9 Squadron RNZAF were also using

7018-414: The USAAF, which placed its own order for 200 Ventura Mark IIA as the B-34 Lexington , later renamed RB-34 . In August 1941, large orders for Venturas were placed with Lend-Lease Act money. Among the orders were for 550 armed reconnaissance versions of the Ventura. This aircraft was originally planned to be built under the designation O-56 . The main differences between the Ventura and the O-56 were in

7139-429: The United States to collect first-hand information on their latest twin-engined, low-wing monoplane airliners. When he returned home he discussed one of them, the Lockheed Electra 12A , with Roy Fedden and prepared a design to match it using Fedden's Bristol Aquila engine which produced 500 hp, the same power as the engine used in the Electra. Sir Archibald Russell described Barnwell's design as "close to being

7260-402: The Vega Aircraft Company division of Lockheed (hence the "V" Navy manufacturer's letter that later replaced the "O" for Lockheed), was a version of the Ventura built for the U.S. Navy (see Venturas in U.S. Navy service below). The main differences between the PV-1 and the B-34 were the inclusion of special equipment in the PV-1, adapting it to its patrol bombing role. The maximum fuel capacity of

7381-458: The Ventura. The Ventura was very similar to its predecessor, the Lockheed Hudson . The primary difference was not in layout; rather, the Ventura was larger, heavier, and used more powerful engines than the Hudson. The RAF ordered 188 Venturas in February 1940, which were delivered from mid-1942. Venturas were initially used for daylight raids on occupied Europe but, like some other RAF bombers, they proved too vulnerable without fighter escort, which

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7502-446: The Winter War and were delivered from the RAF's own stocks. In the aftermath of the Winter War, 55 Blenheims were constructed in Finland, the final aircraft being completed in September 1944; this brought the total number of Blenheims in Finnish service to 97 (75 Mk Is and 22 Mk IVs). The Finns also received 20 half-completed ex-Yugoslavian Mk IV Blenheims captured by Germany, together with manufacturing tools, production equipment, and

7623-591: The Winter War, and close to 3,000 missions during the Continuation War and Lapland War . Blenheim machine-gunners also shot down eight Soviet aircraft. Thirty-seven Blenheims were lost in combat during the wars. The Finnish Blenheims were divided on six series ( sarja ): Series I with doorless bomb bays could carry 1,800 lb (800 kg) bomb load in the bomb bay and up to 220 lb (100 kg) in wing cells. Series II, V and VI could carry 1,800 lb (800 kg) load on bomb bay and 379 lb (172 kg) on wing cells and fuselage racks. Series III and IV had

7744-422: The aircraft was faster than the fighters in service with the Royal Air Force (RAF), having a top speed of 307 mph (494 km/h). Rothermere presented the aircraft to the nation for a formal evaluation as a potential bomber. By June 1935, the Air Ministry had become interested in the project due to its high performance. On 9 July 1935, a design conference was held by Bristol at the ministry's request into

7865-504: The basis for the Beaufort torpedo bomber , which led to the Beaufighter, with the lineage performing two evolutions of bomber-to-fighter. The Bristol Blenheim was a twin-engine high performance all-metal medium bomber aircraft, powered by a pair of Bristol Mercury VIII air-cooled radial engines , each capable of 860 hp (640 kW). Each engine drove a three-bladed controllable-pitch propeller , and were equipped with both hand-based and electric engine starters. To ease maintenance,

7986-449: The basis for, a bomber aircraft. Rothermere became aware of Bristol's Type 135 proposal and on 3 March 1934, Barnwell issued him with a quote of the specification and performance statistics of the design, including an estimated top speed of 240 mph (390 km/h) at 6,500 ft (2,000 m). The Aquila engine had been shelved in favour of the supercharger -equipped, poppet-valve Bristol Mercury engine. Deeming it suitable for

8107-399: The battles for Singapore and Sumatra . By that point, the traditional daylight light bomber role was more effectively carried out by suitable fighter-bombers, and the surviving examples were relegated to training duties. Nonetheless, the Blenheim played a role in preventing India from falling and in recapturing Burma , destroying over 60 aircraft on the ground in raids on Bangkok early in

8228-401: The campaign. One Blenheim pilot, Squadron Leader Arthur Scarf , was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for an attack on Singora , Thailand , on 9 December 1941. Another bomber of No. 60 Squadron RAF was credited with shooting down Lt Col Tateo Katō 's Nakajima Ki-43 fighter and badly damaging two others in a single engagement on 22 May 1942, over the Bay of Bengal . Katō's death

8349-412: The carriers by CAP Zeroes (two of which were claimed by ace-fighter pilot Kaname Harada from Soryu ) and by other Japanese aircraft returning from the earlier attack on HMS  Hermes , shooting down two Zeroes in return. This was the first time a Japanese carrier force had faced a concerted air attack in the Pacific War . In 1936, the Finnish Air Force became the first export customer for

8470-523: The challenge, the design of Type 135 was further adapted to produce the Type 142 to meet the requirements outlined by Rothermere. In late March 1934, Rothermere placed an order for a Type 142 aircraft, under which he paid for half of the estimated £18,500 cost up front and the remainder upon the aircraft's first flight in the following year. On 12 April 1935, the Type 142 , named Britain First , conducted its maiden flight from Filton Aerodrome , South Gloucestershire . Flight tests soon proved that

8591-400: The command of Wing Commander Nichol of No. 114 Squadron RAF . They hit their targets (Fortuna Power Station in Oberaußem-Fortuna and the Goldenberg Power Station in Hürth-Knapsack ), but twelve of the Blenheims were lost during the raid, 22% of those that took part, which was far above the sustainable loss rate of less than 5%. The England cricketer Squadron leader Bill Edrich was awarded

8712-462: The day that war was declared on Germany, a Blenheim Mk IV, N6215 , piloted by Flying Officer Andrew McPherson was the first British aircraft to cross the German coast to perform a high altitude reconnaissance mission upon the German Navy in the vicinity of Wilhelmshaven , Lower Saxony . The following morning, 15 Blenheims from three squadrons set off on one of the first bombing missions to attack

8833-685: The de Havilland Mosquito in September 1943. In the Mediterranean, No. 459 Squadron RAAF was equipped with the Ventura V between December 1943 to July 1944, flying mainly anti-submarine and anti-shipping patrols. In Australia, 55 PV-1s were supplied to the RAAF for use in the South West Pacific Area . No. 13 Squadron RAAF was the only operational squadron in Australia equipped with the Ventura. It operated primarily in north-eastern Queensland and then

8954-400: The demand, secondary assembly lines were established at Chadderton by Avro and at Speke by Rootes Securities . The aircraft was built under licence by foreign countries, including Finland , who completed a total of 55 aircraft, and Yugoslavia , which completed 16 aircraft with a further 24 in advanced stages of completion when Germany invaded Yugoslavia . Other countries also procured

9075-638: The early months of 1942, the primary responsibility for anti-submarine warfare in the United States was shouldered by the Army Air Forces. This irked the Navy, as it considered this region of battle its burden. To carry out such a task, the Navy was pursuing a long-range, land-based patrol and reconnaissance aircraft with a substantial bomb load. This goal was always resisted by the Army Air Forces, which carefully protected its monopoly on land-based bombing. This forced

9196-558: The end of the war only one aircraft remained in service. From August 1942, 487 Squadron RNZAF, (operating in Europe as part of the RAF), was equipped with the type, although losses (including on 3 May 1943 the loss of all 11 aircraft attacking Amsterdam), led to their replacement with the de Havilland Mosquito in June. The Royal New Zealand Air Force in the Pacific received 139 Venturas and some Harpoons from June 1943 to replace Lockheed Hudsons in

9317-401: The engine mountings were designed with a split-segment to facilitate rapid engine removal without disturbing the carburettors . A pair of fuel tanks, each containing up to 140 gallons, were housed within the centre-section of the fuselage. The fuselage of the Blenheim employed a light- alloy monocoque structure using open-section stringers , and was constructed in three sections. The wing

9438-507: The engines: rather than the 2,000 hp (1,491 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radials of the Ventura, the O-56 used 1,700 hp (1,270 kW) Wright R-2600 -13 radials. Before completion of the first O-56, the U.S. Army Air Forces dropped the "O-" category used to designate "observation" (reconnaissance) aircraft. The O-56 was redesignated the RB-34B (the R denoted 'restricted' meaning it

9559-554: The first RAF aircraft to sink a U-boat , having scored two direct hits on U-31 in the Schillig Roads . In April 1941, a campaign aiming to completely close off the Channel to enemy shipping was launched using an initial flight of Blenheims stationed at RAF Manston . Between April and June that year, a total of 297 Blenheims of No 2. Group attacked German shipping at sea, losing 36 aircraft, while Coastal Command launched 143 attacks in

9680-476: The first squadron to receive the Blenheim. On 13 January 1938, the Blenheim entered service with No. 30 Squadron , the first overseas squadron to receive the type; in early 1939, the first Blenheims arrived in India. From July 1936 onwards, various additional orders were placed for the Blenheim Mk I , including multiple orders for the export market. By the end of 1936, 1,568 aircraft were on order. In order to meet

9801-470: The form of a "stepless cockpit" that used no separate windscreen panels for the pilot, a notable feature of a substantial majority of German bomber designs, first conceived during the war years. Both fixed and sliding window panels were present, along with a transparent sliding roof. Other onboard equipment included a radio , cameras , navigation systems, electric lighting , oxygen apparatus, and stowage for parachutes and clothing. In September 1939,

9922-460: The highest rate of loss. Nine of the 47 Venturas were shot down and many others were damaged by flak or bird strikes. The force also lost four Bostons and one Mosquito. Six months later, on 3 May 1943, Venturas of 487 Squadron RNZAF were sent on Operation Ramrod 16 , an attack on a power station in Amsterdam . The squadron was told that the target was of such importance to Dutch morale, that the attack

10043-577: The last flight of a Finnish Blenheim taking place on 20 May 1958. The usual nickname of Blenheim in the Finnish Air Force was Pelti-Heikki ("Tin Henry"). In Finland, the sole surviving original Blenheim in the world, a Mk IV registered as BL-200 of the Finnish Air Force, has been completely restored and is now on display at the Aviation Museum of Central Finland at Tikkakoski. An airworthy Blenheim

10164-586: The latter half of 1941, several Blenheim squadrons were flown out to Malta , many being stationed there into early 1942 before mainly being absorbed in the Western Desert air operations. As Bomber Command gradually took Blenheims out of the Northern Europe theatre, they were often dispatched to other areas such as North Africa. Upon the outbreak of the Pacific War in December 1941, some Blenheim squadrons in

10285-623: The maritime patrol bomber and medium bomber roles. Initially Venturas were unpopular with the RNZAF due to rumoured poor performance on one engine, the fate of Squadron Leader Leonard Trent VC of 487 Squadron (above) as well as the failure of the U.S. to provide New Zealand with promised B-24 Liberators . Despite that the RNZAF Venturas came to be among the most widely used of any nation's, seeing substantial action until VJ Day over South West Pacific islands. The first 19 RB-34s that arrived by sea from

10406-465: The month in which the Second World War broke out, the Blenheim Mk I equipped two home-based squadrons and 11 overseas squadrons in locations such as Egypt , Aden , Iraq , India , and Singapore . Further RAF squadrons had received, or were in the process of converting to, the more capable Blenheim Mk IV; 168 Blenheim Mk IV aircraft had entered RAF operational strength by the outbreak of war. On

10527-527: The more capable Beaufighter derivative. About 60 Mk IVs were also equipped with the gun pack as the Mk IVF and were used by Coastal Command to protect convoys from German long-range bombers. The last bomber variant was conceived as an armoured ground attack aircraft , with a solid nose containing four more Browning machine guns. Originally known as the Bisley, (after the shooting competitions held at Bisley Ranges ),

10648-515: The museum called Flight Wing maintains a some of the aircraft in airworthy condition. Lockheed Ventura The Lockheed Ventura is a twin-engine medium bomber and patrol bomber of World War II. The Ventura first entered combat in Europe as a bomber with the RAF in late 1942. Designated PV-1 by the United States Navy (US Navy), it entered combat in 1943 in the Pacific. The bomber

10769-422: The museum held an annual 2-day weekend open house. By 2000, the event had become an airshow known as Wings Over Wine Country. It continued until 2020, when it was cancelled due to the inabiloty to attract a demonstration team. It currently holds a Wings and Wheels Car Show. The museum offers an aviation summer school, a merit badge in aviation program for Boy Scouts and an oral history program. A division of

10890-477: The name Bolingbroke , was manufactured under licence in Canada by Fairchild Aircraft . The Bolingbroke, which had been developed in response to Air Ministry Specification G.24/35 to procure a coastal reconnaissance/light bomber as a replacement for the Avro Anson , had substantial improvements that would serve as the basis for improved variants of the Blenheim. Both the navigator's station and range limitations of

11011-548: The navy to use long-range floatplanes for these roles. The Navy was unable to upgrade to more capable aircraft until the Army Air Forces needed the Navy plant in Renton, Washington to manufacture its Boeing B-29 Superfortress . In exchange for use of the Renton plant, the Army Air Forces would discontinue its objections to Naval land-based bombers, and provide aircraft to the Navy. One of the clauses of this agreement stated that production of

11132-600: The northern areas of the British mainland, such as RAF Lossiemouth , flying for extended periods over the North Sea led to the weather posing almost as much of a risk as enemy combatants, particularly as most of the Blenheim IVs lacked any heating or deicing systems; in response, some aircraft were later equipped with boilers fixed onto the starboard engine exhaust. A sizeable number of losses occurred, caused by both enemy action and mid-air engine failures due to icing . After

11253-406: The nose were so cramped that the control yoke obscured all flight instruments while engine instruments eliminated the forward view on landings. Most secondary instruments were arranged along the left side of the cockpit, essential items such as the propeller pitch control were actually placed behind the pilot where they had to be operated by feel alone. The navigator/bombardier was seated alongside

11374-565: The original RAF bomb bays and racks and could carry only 1,000 lb (450 kg) load on bomb bay and 200 lb (91 kg) on wing cells. The bomb bays, bomb bay doors and bomb racks of various series were modified on major overhauls to host bigger bombs. After the war, Finland was prohibited from flying bomber aircraft by the Paris Peace Treaty , with Finland's Blenheims being placed into storage in 1948. However, in 1951, five Blenheims were re-activated for use as target tugs , with

11495-409: The pilot, and made use of a sliding/folding seat whilst performing the bomb aiming role. Dual flight controls could be installed. The wireless operator/air gunner was housed aft of the wing alongside the aircraft's dorsal gun turret. Armament comprised a single forward-firing .303 in (7.7 mm) Browning machine gun outboard of the port engine and a .303 in (7.7 mm) Lewis Gun in

11616-487: The production aircraft were renamed Blenheim Mk V and featured a strengthened structure, pilot armour, interchangeable nose gun pack or bomb-aimer position and another Mercury variant with 950 hp (710 kW). The Mk V was ordered for conventional bombing operations, with the removal of armour and most of the glazed nose section. The Mk V (Type 160) was used primarily in the Middle East and Far East. The Blenheim served as

11737-420: The publicity of the fighter squadrons. From July to December 1940, Blenheims raided German-occupied airfields both in daylight and at night. Although most of these raids were unproductive, there were some successes; on 1 August five out of twelve Blenheims sent to attack Haamstede and Evere ( Brussels ) were able to bomb, damaging (50%, 40% and 10%) three Bf 109Es of II./JG 27 at Leuwarden and apparently killing

11858-413: The question of converting the Type 142 into a medium bomber. The Air Ministry quickly formalised Specification B.28/35 for prototypes of a bomber version; the Type 142M (M for military). One change between the Type 142M bomber and its Type 142 predecessor was the repositioning of the wing from a low-wing to a mid-wing position, which allowed for more internal space within the fuselage underneath

11979-541: The rear fuselage. Flexible, self-sealing liners had been fitted to the fuel tanks but they were still not fully protected against the 0.79 in (20 mm) MG FF cannon carried by the Luftwaffe ' s Bf 109 and Bf 110 fighters. Blenheim squadrons were still in immediate and high demand after their withdrawal from France as part of the British action during the Norwegian campaign . Typically operating from bases in

12100-511: The same period, losing 52 aircraft; by the end of the year, 698 ships had been attacked and 41 of these sunk for the loss of 123 aircraft. The Bristol Blenheim was used by both Bomber and Fighter Commands . About two hundred Mk I bombers were modified into Mk IF long-range fighters with 600 (Auxiliary Air Force) Squadron , based at Hendon , the first squadron to take delivery in September 1938. By 1939, at least seven squadrons were operating them as fighters, increasing to about 60 squadrons within

12221-419: The ships spotted on the previous day. The raid was a failure, only nine aircraft attacked, and only superficial damage was done to the cruiser Emden , when one of No. 107 Squadron's Blenheims crashed into the cruiser, killing 11 crewmen. RAF Coastal Command were soon using the Blenheim with the stated mission of protecting British shipping convoys off the east coast. Shortly after the conflict's start,

12342-471: The single-engined Heinkel He 70 , and Rothermere wanted the prestige of being able to claim to have the fastest civilian aircraft. Rothermere also intended to encourage businesses and key figures to make greater use of civil aviation and to demonstrate to the British Air Ministry how their fighter aircraft may not be able to match modern transport aircraft, which may be easily converted to, or used as

12463-515: The tail to the hangar ceiling. Known as the Butler Building, the hangar was built during World War II, and is still in use today. A model room includes dioramas of Santa Rosa Army Airfield and Santa Rosa Naval Auxiliary Air Station and a model of the USS ; Intrepid . Other objects include an R-4360 engine, SR-71 parts, an F-4N simulator and DC-6 and RF-8G cockpits. Beginning in 1989,

12584-552: The type. The following year No. 4 Squadron RNZAF and No. 8 Squadron RNZAF also received Venturas. Some squadrons were retained on garrison duty while others followed the allied advance to Emirau and Green Island and to New Britain . RNZAF Venturas were tasked with routine patrols, anti-shipping strikes, minelaying, bombing and strafing missions, air-sea rescue patrols, and photographic reconnaissance missions. RNZAF machines often clashed with Japanese fighters, notably during an air-sea rescue patrol on Christmas Eve 1943. NZ4509

12705-411: The use of the same engines but an increase in weight. The Navy ordered 500 examples, designating them with the popular name Harpoon . Early tests indicated a tendency for the wings to wrinkle dangerously. As this problem could not be solved by a 6 ft (1.8 m) reduction in wingspan (making the wing uniformly flexible), a complete redesign of the wing was necessitated. This hurdle delayed entry of

12826-408: The weight of the released bombs. Because there was no way to predict how long it would take for the bombs to force the doors open, bombing accuracy was consequently poor. The bomb bay could be loaded using a hand-operated winch incorporated into the fuselage. To achieve its relatively high speed, the Blenheim used a very small fuselage cross-section, with its upper front glazing all at one angle in

12947-423: The wing area increased from 551 ft (51.2 m ) to 686 ft (63.7 m ) giving an increased load-carrying capability, and which first flew on 3 December 1943. The motivation for redesign was weaknesses in the PV-1, which had shown itself to have problems in taking off when carrying a full load of fuel. On the PV-2, the armament became standardized at five forward-firing machine guns. Many early PV-1s had

13068-492: The wing problems fixed, the PV-2 proved reliable, and eventually popular. It was first used in the Aleutians by VP-139, one of the squadrons that originally used the PV-1. It was used by a number of countries after the war's end, but the United States ceased ordering new PV-2s, and they were all soon retired from service. Ex-military PV-1 Venturas from Canada and South Africa were converted by Howard Aero in San Antonio, Texas , in

13189-508: Was 50 mph (80 km/h) faster and carried more than twice the bomb load of its predecessor, the Hudson , it proved unsatisfactory as a bomber. By the summer of 1943, the Ventura had been replaced by the de Havilland Mosquito. The last Ventura raid was flown by 21 Squadron on 9 September 1943. Some Venturas were modified to be used by Coastal Command as the Ventura G.R.I. and 387 PV-1s were used by

13310-580: Was a severe blow to the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force . The Air Ministry's replacement for the Blenheim as a daylight bomber, another Bristol design, the Buckingham , was overtaken by events and changes in requirements, and considered inferior to the de Havilland Mosquito , and as such did not see combat. The final ground-attack version – the Blenheim Mk V – first equipped 139 Squadron in June 1942. Eventually thirteen squadrons – mainly in

13431-438: Was also developed from the Blenheim but was already obsolete when it entered service. Both versions were converted into heavy fighters by the addition of a gun pack with four Browning .303 in (7.7 mm) machine guns mounted under the fuselage. The Mk.IV was also used as a maritime patrol aircraft and both aircraft were also used as bombing and gunnery trainers once they had become obsolete as combat aircraft. The Blenheim

13552-650: Was also used by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF), which designated it the Lockheed B-34 ( Lexington ) and B-37 as a trainer. British Commonwealth forces also used it in several guises, including antishipping and antisubmarine search and attack. The Ventura was developed from the Lockheed Model 18 Lodestar transport, as a replacement for the Lockheed Hudson bombers then in service with

13673-539: Was attacked by nine Japanese single-engine fighters over St. George's Channel. It shot down three, later confirmed, and claimed two others as probable, although it suffered heavy damage in the action. The pilot, Flying Officer D. Ayson and navigator, Warrant Officer W. Williams, were awarded the DFC. The dorsal turret gunner Flight Sergeant G. Hannah was awarded the DFM. By late 1944 the Ventura began to be phased out of frontline action as

13794-599: Was difficult to provide for long-range missions. Venturas were replaced by the faster de Havilland Mosquito . The Venturas were transferred to patrol duties with Coastal Command as the Mosquito replaced them in bomber squadrons; 30 went to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and some to the South African Air Force (SAAF). The RAF placed an order for 487 Ventura Mark II s but many of these were diverted to

13915-446: Was dispatched on a counter-attack upon German forces as they broke through defensive lines: 40 out of 71 aircraft were lost in this sortie. This is claimed to be the highest ever losses known to the RAF. Further action by Blenheims of Bomber Command that day sustained a 25% aircraft loss despite a high level of British fighter cover. Shortly thereafter, the mostly-depleted squadrons were withdrawn to Britain. Around 50 Blenheims supported

14036-405: Was fitted to some aircraft in use as night fighters; these were the first British fighters to be equipped with radar. The Blenheim had been selected as the first aircraft to be adapted for this role as its fuselage was sufficiently roomy to accommodate the additional crew member and radar apparatus. Their performance was marginal as a fighter but they served as an interim type pending availability of

14157-513: Was mounted on 13 August 1940 against a Luftwaffe airfield near Aalborg in north-western Denmark by twelve aircraft of 82 Squadron . One Blenheim returned early (the pilot was later charged but was killed on another operation before a court martial was held); the other eleven, which reached Denmark, were shot down, five by flak and six by Bf 109s. Blenheim units had also been formed to carry out long-range strategic reconnaissance missions over Germany and German-occupied territories. In this role,

14278-642: Was not to be used for combat). Before the first of these flew, the design was redesignated again as the B-37 with a higher powered version of the R-2600, later it also was designated the RB-37 . While 550 were ordered by the Army Air Forces, acquisition by the USAAF stopped after only 18 Venturas were accepted, when the Army Air Forces agreed to turn over exclusive use of the Ventura to the United States Navy . The PV-1 Ventura , built by

14399-675: 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 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. Both Blenheim types were used by foreign operators and examples were licence built in Yugoslavia and Finland, in addition to Canada. In 1933 Frank Barnwell , Bristol's chief designer, went to

14520-512: Was one of the first fighter aircraft over New York City during the September 11 attacks . The museum planned to fully restore the plane and make it the centerpiece of an exhibit. The museum intends to build and move to a new larger facility, still at the airport. One possibility is a location on Airport Boulevard at the main entrance to the county airport, a five-acre garden tilled by inmates at Sonoma County's low-security jail. The museum building

14641-524: Was to be continued regardless of opposition. Significant problems developed with rendezvousing with the escorting fighters, with the result that all 10 Venturas that crossed the coast were lost to German fighters. Squadron Leader Leonard Trent (later the last of the Great Escapers ) won the Victoria Cross for his leadership in this raid. The Ventura was never very popular among RAF crews. Although it

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