Blenheim IV F with 20mm Cannon

[hanshauprich]

Where there any Blenheims armed with 20mm Cannon(s)? I remember an articel over Blenheims in Nord Africa use this weapon for the ground support role. But I'm not for sure.

[Graham Boak]

At least one Blenheim in the Western Desert had a 20mm cannon fixed in the nose. It may have been a South African one. If I am remembering a photo clearly, the cannon appears too short to be a Hispano, so quite what it was is a bit baffling.

[Leendert]

Hans,

According to this RAF history article, there have been examples of Blenheims with 20-mm cannons: http://www.raf.mod.uk/history_old/blen7.html

Regards,

Leendert

[stefaan]

Hi Hans.
15 sqdn SAAF had many such Blenhiem Mk IV's.
It was a field conversion that was well known with the ground crew and aircrews.Not a dummy at all.
It was welded on the floor on the right side of the bombaimer's side.
Scince they were part of a wing that had other Blenheim sqdns, these a/c sometimes may have been sent to other sqdns that was not SAAF, but what I have seen from those sqdns eg 113 Helenic, the guns were removed but the openings in the perspex remained.
For years I have asked for info if anybody has a drawing of the conversion. No luck.
Even the Blenheim society in the UK, and Smudge Smith that is restoring the Blenheim at Duxford, has never seen one as well.
Regards

[Peter Clare]

Most of the 113 Squadron Blenheim Mk IV-F aircraft had the local modification of along barrel 20mm Hispano cannon mounted on the floor of the Observers position and projecting through the starboard panel on the bomb-aiming window. This 'lash up' blocked the emergency exit, and the ammunition feed caused the pitot tube to be moved forward.

'The Bristol Blenheim a Complete History' - Graham Warner.