[phasselgren]

Geoff, Martin and Juha,

Thanks for your replies. I have seen the photo in Graham Warner’s book. It was in this book I found the order by Sholto Douglas to remove the turrets on four of six Fighter Command squadrons equipped with Blenheims. Apparently were 100 conversion sets ordered but I may have exaggerated the importance of this because it is not confirmed in the book that any conversions were made. Tests before the war had shown that the conversion increased the top speed with 25 mph and considering the low top speed of Blenheim fighters this should have been a welcome improvement. Even if the Beaufighter was a much better fighter the delivery rate was slow and Blenheims continued to be used at least until May 1941.

Anyway is my conclusion that Denby and Guest was probably flying a Blenheim with turret but without a gunner. It would of course still be interesting to learn if any conversions were made and if turretless Fighter Command Blenheims were used operationally.

I have also learned that it may be wise to check the ORB or combat reports when studying claims made by units with a slow introduction of a new fighter. Both Those Other Eagles by Christopher Shores and RAF Fighter Command Victory Claims by John Foreman has this claim as a Beaufighter claim.

Regards,
Peter