The Blenheim MkV was first proposed in early 1940 as a ground attack aircraft protected with 600 lbs of armour and carrying four .303 mgs in a solid nose. But that is not how the aircraft called the Bisley turned out.
Can anyone please explain the history of, or provide a source for, the design history of this Mk V and where I can find its full specification including, especially, the location and thickness of its armour.
www.historyofwar.org states; "The need for a ground attack aircraft quickly disappeared in 1940 after the collapse of France. Work continued on the Mk V under the name Bristol Bisley".
The MkV had a loaded weight of 17,000lbs compared with the 14,400lbs of the MkIV, but this also had some armour.
The Bisley gained notoriety when Tedder recommended one of its pilots, Wingco Hugh Malcolm, for a VC in December 1942 for leading a squadron of "this 'ghastly aircraft' that was slow, unstable and quite useless in any role" (Vincent Orange, 'Tedder'). Orange states the award "was touch and go: certain circles felt that the citation was critical of the army". Orange does not explain who the 'certain circles' were, but is clearly hinting that the Bisley was a lightning rod for the notorious inter-service wrangling about effective ground support that lasted throughout WWII.
NB the eponymous Malcolm Clubs, set up by Tedder, served (unintentially or deliberately) to create an off-duty apartheid between the RAF and the army and navy who were consigned to the NAAFIs.
Tony
6th November 2010, 15:53
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