Export Bristol Blenheims
 

I have a photo that shows a pair of all-silver Britol Blenheims, wearing black civilian markings. One of them might have been G-AFGE/L. Unfortunately, only the first letters (G-AF) are legible, the others are uncertain. I assume these were export Blenheims.
Does anyone have further details?

P.S. With the same lot another photo of a British airplane came in. It looks like a Miles Hawk, nick-named "Flying Baby" (on the engine cowling). Again, no markings are visible, only the lower edge of the first two letters, that might have been I (or H) and B (or D). Could it be a Swiss-registered aircraft?

Thanks,

Re: Export Bristol Blenheims
 

A series of Blenheims with G-AFxx were registered to the Bristol Aircraft Company. Some were sold to Turkey

Re: Export Bristol Blenheims
 

Hello Amrit
I have sent you an e-mail
Alex

Re: Export Bristol Blenheims
 

Hi Alex

nothing yet but will keep checking my inbox.

A

Re: Export Bristol Blenheims
 

I've taken a look at the CAA G-INFO list and there are a number of Blenheims in the G-AFxx series as Armit said.

I think the one you have the photo of is G-AFCE (GE & GL were other a/c types). It was registered on the 2nd November 1937 as a Blenheim Mk.I, it was noted as going to Yugoslavia (entered in the Usual Station box) along with G-AFCF neither have dates for removal from the register.

All the others did not note the destination for the aircraft.

The blocks were:

G-AFCE & G-AFCF, Mk.I
G-AFFP to G-AFFZ (except Q which wasn't used), Mk.I, de-registered 9.38
G-AFLA to G-AFLS (except Q), Mk.I, de-registered 31.1.29 to 3.8.39
G-AFXD to G-AFXO, Mk.IV, de-registered 1.1.40 to 25.3.40

Re: Export Bristol Blenheims
 

This very much looks like the pair of all-silver Mk. Is caught by the photo camera.
So, they apparently went to Yugoslavia, right?

Thanks for your assistance, Alan.

Re: Export Bristol Blenheims
 

Yes, they seem to have gone to Yugoslavia.

The register pages are

http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/HistoricalMaterial/G-AFCE.pdf

http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/HistoricalMaterial/G-AFCF.pdf

Re: Export Bristol Blenheims
 

I recall that YU Blenheims went as a war prize 1941 to WNF (repair works I) at Wiener Neustadt to be prepared for further use by German or other satilite airforces. Maybe I could dig out photos of which at WNF.
Anyone who knows more?

Martin

Re: Export Bristol Blenheims
 

You're correct, Martin, about WNF repairing captured Blenheims (and other types). However, at least some of the work was done on site, i.e. in former Yugoslavia.
If you could dig out some photos, it would be excellent.