Gracing the airshow circuit once again in 2015 is a magnificently restored Bristol Blenheim, thanks to the Aircraft Restoration Company. This versatile aircraft served in many roles during the Battle of Britain - as a day and night fighter, as a light bomber, as a reconnaissance aircraft and more. The heroism of all Blenheim crews is honoured by the ARC's example, originally built in Canada as a Bolingbroke IVT trainer. It was the second such aircraft restored to flight by what used to be the British Aerial Museum, latterly the Aircraft Restoration Company, at Duxford - the first crashed in 1987. This one, registered G-BPIV, flew again after restoration in May 1993. After a successful decade of flying, it suffered significant damage in a landing accident at Duxford during August 2003. The rebuild was completed last year, the opportunity being taken to reconfigure the aircraft as a Blenheim IF with a short nose. The nose section in question came from a Blenheim serialled L6739, which served in the early part of the war with No 23 Squadron; the aircraft, re-flown last November, now appears in those markings. It made its post-restoration public flying debut at IWM Duxford's Spring Air Show this May.
Sign up for emails about the Air Tattoo, Concerts and Merchandise
The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises, Douglas Bader House, Horcott Hill, Fairford, Gloucestershire, GL7 4RB, United Kingdom.
Copyright © 2019 The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises, Home of the Royal International Air Tattoo.
Trademarks: The Royal International Air Tattoo® name and logo and the Techno Zone® name and logo are registered trademarks of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises. Use of these trademarks may be prohibited, unless expressly authorised.