Blenheim mk.1(F): winggun and gunpack

[andy bird]

Blenheim Mk 1 gun pack fed from the bomb bay, bomb doors opened so that ground crew could load the weapons. Fixed on a tubular frame work inside bomb bay, units made by Southern Region Dept at Ashford, Kent in three locomotive sheds. The fixings for the four 0.303 Brownings where occasionally prone to coming loose and the guns had the odd stoppage. The worse case I've come across is 15 rounds being fired from each Browing over Norway in April 1940 whilst chasing a Junkers 88.
The belly pack was powered by starboard engine.

They carried 500 rounds for each m/g.

The forward firing m/g port wing 500 rounds.

The external bomb racks carried 20lb bombs,

In July 1940 Coastal Commands ACM 'Ginger' Bowhill issued orders to make modifications to all Coastal 'Trade Protection' Blenheim squadron. 235 Sqn added an extra m/g in the forward glazed nose perspex and also adding two Vickers in the turret.

Yours faithfully

Andy Bird

Author of the forthcoming and long awaited "Coastal Dawn"