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Bristol Blenheim MkIV


Bristol Blenheim MkIV
Photo Information
Copyright: John Cannon (tyro) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 214 W: 83 N: 653] (2906)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-04-24
Categories: Transportation
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Canon EF-S 10-22 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, Tiffen 77mm UV Protector
Exposure: f/4.5, 1/15 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Map: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2008-07-05 12:52
Viewed: 335
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This wonderful piece of machinery is actually a Fairchild Bolingbroke IVT (Canadian built Bristol Blenheim Mk IV). It is currently undergoing restoration at the Museum of Flight at East Fortune in East Lothian, not that far from Edinburgh. It is actually being rebuilt using parts from more than one airframe.

As I was told by the guide there, this aircraft is being restored for exhibition purposes only: insufficient funds are available for the massive cost of rebuilding a machine such as this to a standard to allow it to fly.


From the museum website:

"Ordered by the Air Ministry from the Bristol 142 fast mailplane of 1936, the Blenheim was the first all-metal monoplane bomber in RAF service. The Blenheim carried out the first operational sortie of the RAF of World War II on the day war was declared and later suffered high losses at the hands of enemy fighters and anti-aircraft guns.

"The Fairchild Bolingbroke was the Canadian built Blenheim IV; this example served with the Royal Canadian Air Force as a target tug and did not arrive in the UK until 1971. The Museum of Flight bought the unrestored airframe from the Strathallan Collection auction in 1981."

I might add that the Museum of Flight is very well worth a visit - you will also have the opportunity to climb aboard Concorde!

Taken handheld in fairly dim light but at wide-angle. Shot in RAW and converted and edited in PSE6.

All comments/critiques/advice welcome!
trampas, toucan1967, lrw1966 has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To lrw1966: Thank you, Larry!tyro 1 07-08 01:25
To Radarflyer: Thank you, Jane!tyro 1 07-08 01:23
To toucan1967: Thank you, Andy!tyro 1 07-08 01:15
To rewind: Bristol 403?tyro 1 07-08 01:13
To ChuFer: Thank you, Chu!tyro 1 07-05 17:21
To gerbilratz: Thank you, Howard!tyro 1 07-05 16:44
To trampas: Simple physics, my boy!tyro 3 07-05 16:23
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Critiques [Translate]

Very good image, sharp, clean and with great definition. Good POV as well. An excellent composition. regards h

hi john.

i can never understand how a 'plane manages to stay in the air. it is for that reason i will never go on one.

this is a great example of aeronautical engineering.
the bright colour would be no use as camouflage.

nicely taken. it gives a good idea of scale.
Brian

did a ws. hope you don't mind

muy interesante...chapeau

Hi John,
Nice shot, it's good that planes like this can be restored for us to see, you have captured the workshop scene well with good colours and details
Well done
Regards Andy

Hi John,
This must have been a very impressive plane in its day. This is a great composition, I love the way you have captured all the detail, nice and sharp and great colours.
Its a shame that aircraft like this have fallen into such disrepair, and the cost is so high to renovate it, but its good that they are renovating it enough to be put on display for all to see again.
TFS
Jane

John Hi;
Very well composed and presented the lighting is amazing indoors, Congratulations, very well done with stunning clarity. Excellent note, as always, thanks
Larry
USA-tfs

Hi John, lovely clear shot of an interesting aircraft. Looking at the undercarriage fairings makes me think they must have acted like huge air brakes when they lowered the undercarriage! This also reminded me of cars I would like to own, one would be a 1950's Bristol, any of the 400 series!
Best regards, Les

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