Continue reading]]> On Battle of Britain day, September 15th, a formation of 45 aircraft will take off from Goodwood aerodrome36 Supermarine Spitfires, 8 Hawker Hurricanes and the only airworthy Bristol Blenheim.

The formation will be led from the back seat of a twin-seat Spitfire by Wing Commander Tom Neil, DFC, AFC, AE, a 95-year old Battle of Britain veteran. After reaching Selsey Bill, the formation will break into groups of four, which will fly different paths across south and south-east England and land at various airfields used during the battle: Biggin Hill, Duxford, Northweald, Northolt, with some returning to Goodwood.

It is the first time since the end of World War II that so many Battle of Britain aircraft fly together.

More information on this fantastic event can be found the Battle of Britain Day Flypast website. [NB:bad link corrected]

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The Blenheim at Duxford in 2002 (Photo I Wish I was Flying (CC BY-ND 2.0))

After a restoration that took over a decade, Bristol Blenheim L6739 flew a 20 minutes maiden flight at Duxford on November 20 with John Romain and John Gilmore at the controls.

The aircraft was restored in 1987 but crashed a month after its maiden flight. Following this, it was repaired and flew again 5 years later, wearing the colours of a RAF Blenheim Mk IV. After ten years of flight operations, it was severely damaged in a landing accident at Duxford and was thought to be a write-off. Nevertheless, it was patiently rebuilt, this time with a Blenheim Mk I “short nose”.

Get more information and pictures of the first flight from Global Aviation Ressource.

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The Blenheim at Duxford in 2002 (Photo I Wish I was Flying (CC BY-ND 2.0))

The Bristol Blenheim (ex-Bolingbroke) Mk IV L6739, currently being restored by ARCo, was unveiled on May 30, a few days after its first engines run.

The aircraft was restored in 1987 but crashed a month after a maiden flight. Following this, it was repaired and flew again 5 years later, wearing the colours of a RAF Blenheim Mk IV. After ten years of flight operations, it was severely damaged in a landing accident at Duxford and was thought to be a write-off. Nevertheless, it was patiently rebuilt, this time with a Blenheim Mk I “short nose”.

The first flight should take place soon, and will make the aircraft the only airworthy example of its type.

Source (with photos): Global Aviation Ressource