You may not remember but last year Oleg made an appeal for detailed cockpit material and it seemed a real possibility it would be AI only.

The pages were opening painfully slowly and I was waiting with baited breath for a cockpit pic to appear.

And their it was on page 5, a very moving moment.

S! Beaufort,

It is, indeed, a beautiful aircraft, but Blenheims suffered high losses in the 1939-1941 period. I copied the historical information below from the offical Royal Air Force web site:


When Britain went to war in 1939 the Bristol Blenheim was undoubtedly the most important aircraft in the inventory of the Royal Air Force. The Blenheim was built in vast numbers and set new standards in performance. It was issued to every RAF Command, including Bomber, Fighter and Coastal Commands. The introduction of the type heralded the adoption of many new production techniques. The all-metal monocoque structure and complex internal systems were at the leading edge of the technology of the day.

During the opening encounters of the war the Blenheims flaws were brutally exposed by enemy fighters and flak. Casualty rates were alarmingly high and only the dedication and courage of the crews that flew them enabled operations to continue. A total of three Victoria Crosses, Britains highest recognition for bravery was awarded to Blenheim crewmen. Frequently overlooked, the contribution of the Blenheim can not be ignored. Despite its inadequacies, it was the only British bomber capable of offensive daylight operations until the introduction of the de Havilland Mosquito. Blenheim squadrons served in every theatre of the war and chalked up many historic firsts. They pioneered many of the techniques of modern aerial warfare such as airborne radar interception.

By mid 1943 the type had virtually disappeared from front line service as later types such as Beaufighter were found to be far more effective in roles previously allocated to Blenheim squadrons. However, its vital contribution in the early years of the conflict is remembered for the valiant sacrifice of the brave men that flew them in battle.

I'm thrilled that they decided to include bombers in this sim. I'm not a bomber jock myself, but I may even take one of those up for a night raid over Berlin. Gotta make 'em pay for hitting London, Dammit!!
Mostly, though, it will make it possible to broaden the sims possibilties. Mission builders will be able to write missions for us that can include the year after the Battle Of Britain when the RAF went on the offensive.
Spits and Hurris escorted Bomber Command on daylight raids across the Channel. We won't have Stirlings, but those Blenhiems and Wellingtons will be fine.
I remember reading Wing Leader, by Johnny Johnson. His accounts of that period, the Spring and Summer of 1941, were some of my favorite parts of the book. Jumping into a Spit, and hopping across the Channel with Douglas Bader for a quick "squirt" at the Huns, and coming back for some tea and lunch. It made the RAF at that period seem like great flying club. I've fantasized about it often. I can't wait for this sim!

Indeed Swoose, I know the story of the Blenheim very well, but that's one of the reasons I find them so interesting.

They fought against the odds over and over again, in Europe, the Med & the Far East.