Bristol Blenheim Project Mk. IV BL-200 - Part 6.
21.11.2007 - Pertti Juutilainen
Picture 44. The cockpit looks like this, still.
There are still gauges missing, and also the forced launcher for bombing. The cockpit will be looking like this, and it’s more or less like used to be originally. Although the plane looked out empty inside, it was still very effective for working. Blenheim was for bombing mainly, though its speed was not so high as its enemies used to have during the Continuation War. Might be the skills of the pilots, which was the most important thing when thinking about Blenheims good destiny.
Picture 45. Bristol Blenheim without its wings and windows, juts like it used to be, without paintings.
The whole seen here used to be closed and opened only, when needed for the emergencies. We are still feeling pity to paint such a beautiful plane. As a material aluminium is just great and nicelooking. Our Blenheim will be serving as a monument and example of the war- time, and of course we do hope, that it wont be served never as a bomber.
Picture 46. A sidewindow, soon ready.
We have been spending a long hours in doing this and that, and specially the small parts have been quite hard to renew and replace. As you can see from this picture, all the plexiglasses had holes ready, just for our luck! The whole work with this plane has been real handwork.
Picture 47. The back of the trunk, from the left.
What do You think about this? Looking nice and great? We just love it. Though it was not so quick in speed, it was still such a good bomber. But everything went ahead, and in 1940’s there was already need for more machine- guns for war- planes. The wings were hold wit four bolts, and two of them are seen in this picture.
Picture 48. Good- looking plane?
Still in ruins, but not for long time. This picture was taken in the beginning August. The windows are already there in place, and all the holes are covered with right stuff, and metal sheets are on. Only the wings are still in their own containers, where they are easy to handle, so they will be painted there also. In this moment we don’t wait for very long time, until we put the plane out for showing. The metal sheet seen in the right corner of this picture is the only one, which was missing from original parts. Otherwise the whole plane is like it used to be in war- time.
In the beging of this BL 200 blog they are writing, that I have flown many hours with this BL 200. I need to correct one point so there is no misunderstanding. I was flying this Bristol Blenheim bomber while it was held as a monument for 10 years in Tikkakoski military base. I was flying as a pilot, observer and machinegun shooter – together with my same aged school boy friends.
Picture 49. Bristol Blenheim Mk IV for long time ago somewhere.
The same plane w ehave in our hands right now. Still the war- time painting are missing, but they will be done, when we just have time enough. And it is warm in spring. The plane will be put in museum inside, or in its own glass cabinet like planned. We just hope, that all of You will see it- just for You and Late Ones we did this!
BL-200 Blog
Previous bloggings
21.11.2007 - Pertti Juutilainen
Bristol Blenheim Project Mk. IV BL-200 - Part 6.
19.11.2007 - Pertti Juutilainen
Bristol Blenheim Project Mk. IV BL-200 - Part 5.
19.11.2007 - Pertti Juutilainen
Bristol Blenheim Project Mk. IV BL-200 - Part 4.
16.11.2007 - Pertti Juutilainen
Bristol Blenheim Project Mk. IV BL-200 - Part 3.
15.11.2007 - Pertti Juutilainen
Bristol Blenheim Project Mk. IV BL-200 - Part 2.
18.5.2007 - Pertti Juutilainen
Bristol Blenheim Mk. IV BL-200 Memorial Project