Bristol Blenheim Z7646

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Aircraft Type Photo

BELOW: A Bristol Blenheim Mk I bomber in flight.

A Bristol Blenheim Mark I in flight

Photo: [pre-1949] Taken by a member of the Canadian armed forces. Now, in the public domain.

BELOW: A Bristol Bolingbroke (the Canadian-built variant of the Blenheim).

Note the longer nose on this variant, compared to the Mk I variant above. This longer nose was a feature of both the Canadian-built Bolingbrokes and the British-built Blenheim Mk IV's, etc.

A Bristol Bolingbroke - the Canadian-built equivalent of the Blenheim

Photo: [pre-1949] Original source unknown.

Aircraft Type and Background

RAF Bristol 142M Blenheim IV / Z7646

(Click hyperlink above for RAF history of this type)

Ordered and funded initially by Lord Rothermere, the civilian Bristol Type 142 was designed to meet this tycoon's requirements for a private 'executive' aircraft. However, it proved so successful in trials that the Air Ministry requested the use of this aircraft for further evaluation. Lord Rothermere donated his aircraft (named, 'Britain First') to the nation, whereupon the RAF immediately began extensive trials with this type. Ultimately, Lord Rothermere's Type 142 was to become the Bristol Type 142M (Military) and designated the 'Blenheim.'

The Bristol Type 142 had first flown in 1935. The Type 142M (military version) entered service with the RAF in 1937.

By the time war broke out, most of the Mk I Blenheims had been replaced by Mk IV variants. The Mk IV was essentially the same airframe, but equipped with two Bristol Mercury XV radial engines. The Mk IV also had an extended nose and some other modifications.

The bomber was equipped with one 7.7mm / 0.303in Browning machine gun (port wing), and one 7.7mm / 0.303in Vickers machine gun (dorsal turret). It had an internal bomb capacity of 454kg / 1,000lb.

Unfortunately, the Blenheim was no match for the fast Luftwaffe fighters. Despite heroic attempts by the RAF to help avert shipping losses in the North Sea, many of these Blenheim bombers were lost in combat. Ultimately, the Mk IV Blenheims were replaced by Douglas Bostons and de Havilland Mosquitoes.

BELOW: A Bristol Blenheim Mk IV cockpit on display at the Imperial War Museum Duxford.

Bristol Blenheim Mk IV cockpit at IWM Duxford

Photo: 2005 Mark Murphy. Released by the author to the public domain. (More details at Wikipedia)

Aircraft Accident Details

On 30 July 1941, Bristol Blenheim Z7646 of 18 MU, No 41 (Maintenance) Group, was on a ferry flight from RAF Lennoxlove, Haddington, to RAF Dumfries where 18 MU was based. However, during the flight, the aircraft crashed into Emly Bank not far from Bowbeat Hill. These hills form part of the Moorfoot Hills in the Scottish Borders.

Aircraft Pilot Casualty

The pilot died in this incident. He was:

P/O Elejah H Henson

P/O Henson was laid to rest at Dumfries

Crash Site Photos

BELOW: Site of dig for Blenheim Z7646 remains at Emly Bank.

site of dig for blenheim z7646 remaining parts

A dig was carried out by the Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum during 2009 and the following items were found:

Both engine pumps, battery parts, bomb release mechanism, part of the rocker gear from an engine and part of a wing tank. The best item was a panel with the serial number painted on it.

The site was in a peat hag with a few visible panels and burnt alloy lying around. The site was tidied up afterward, so only a few fragments remain.

[Many thanks to Alan Leishman for providing this information.]

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Crash Date / Site

Accident Date: 30 Jul 1941

Accident Site:

Emly Bank

(Near Bowbeat Hill / Moorfoot Hills)

Region: Scottish Borders

Nearest town or village:

Innerleithen or Peebles

Nearest large towns:

Peebles (SW), Penicuik (N) or Gorebridge (NW)

OS Grid Ref. N/A

GPS Ref: N/A

Present Condition: No known wreckage remaining onsite.

Aircraft Details

Registration or Serial: Z7646

Operator: RAF (18 MU—Maintenance Unit)

Operating Base: RAF Dumfries (Tinwald Downs)

Base Location: Dumfries

Current Airport Status: Airport assigned to Scottish Aviation in 1941, but MU facilities retained until 1957. May still be used by very light aircraft. Partly industrial.

Airport tower and hard standing now Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum.

Principal airport data courtesy of John Woodside, A Catalogue of UK Airfields