Prototype of the bomber version of the Bristol 142 high-speed executive aircraft. Photo from: Imperial War Museums

Crashed at RAF Wyton on May 10, 1938. Engine failure on take-off resulted in the aircraft overturning and catching fire. Crew killed. Photo from: Whites Aviation Collection/Alexander Turnbull Library

The Finnish Air Force ordered its first Blenheims in 1936, with a follow-on order in the spring of 1939. These were produced under license by the State Aircraft Factory (Valtion lentokonetehdas - VL). A last batch of five was ordered during the Continuation War in 1943. However, production was stopped during the summer of 1944 due to Soviet gains in the war. This cockpit section is probably one of the five Blenheims of that batch.

This summer, Genk is commemorating a piece of war history. On May 12, 1940, a Bristol Blenheim crashed above Kattevennen. The British bomber was on its way to the Albert Canal to bomb bridges and stop the German invasion. This event will receive a monument and will also be central during the fly-in this weekend.

A rare sight in Europe and Canada alike, is a former RCAF Bolingbroke. Serial 9889 arrived with the collection in June 2009.

The Bristol Blenheim Mk. IV built in Canada by Fairchild was called the Bolingbroke, used for coastal patrol and training. This aircraft is actually 10076, delivered to the R Canadian AF in January 1943 and declared surplus in 1946. It was acquired from storage on a farm in Canada by the Military Aircraft Restoration Corp in 1972 and moved to Chino, CA. In 2004 it was moved to Pima for restoration and display as a Bolingbroke of RCAF 115 Sqdn, Annette Island, Alaska in 1942

In formation with Lysander G-AZWT

Built in Canada by Fairchild Aircraft Ltd and delivered to the RCAF as 9940 on 08 Aug 1942. Operated by No 5 Bombing & Gunnery School at Dafoe, Saskatchewan. Converted to a target tug in July 1944. To storage 14 Feb 1945. Sold to the Strathallen Aircraft collection arriving on 19 Dec 1972. Entered a lengthy rebuild passing via the Royal Scottish Museum to the National Museum of Flight. The rebuild including using the wings from 9059.

Falsely painted as RCAF 9118. Is in fact ex RCAF 10076.

The Bristol Fairchild Bolingbroke, nicknamed the "Bolly", was a Canadian build version of the Bristol 149 Blenheim Mk.IV. One Bolingbroke Mk.I was converted in a floatplane Mk.I with Edo floats. Photo by the Bristol Aeroplane Co. Ltd.

First visit of the Blenheim to Old Buckenham

Bristol Bolingbroke IV-T, 9997, was build by Fairchild Aircraft of Canada in Longueuil, Quebec in October 1942 and assigned to No. 5 Bombing & Gunnery School in Dafoe, MB. It was damaged in a belly landing on 28 Apr 1943 and sold to a farmer in Dauphin, MB after the war. It was donated by the Reynolds Heritage Preservation Foundation of Wetaskiwin, AB and restoration began in April 2009. The aircraft was reassembled in 2019 after 17,000 man hours of work without engines. Will be painted as Blenheim IV "EE-H" flying with Greenwood's 404 Sqn. with RAF Coastal Command in Scotland in 1941-1942.

Hard landing. Photo: SA-kuva (Finnish Armed Forces photograph, Wartime Photograph Archive). Photographer Niilo Helander.

Hard landing. Photo: SA-kuva (Finnish Armed Forces photograph, Wartime Photograph Archive). Photographer Niilo Helander.