Bristol Fairchild Bolingbroke
Encyclopedia
The Bristol
Fairchild Bolingbroke was a maritime patrol aircraft used by the Royal Canadian Air Force
during the Second World War. Built by Fairchild-Canada
, it was a variant of the Bristol Blenheim Mk IV
bomber.
issued Specification G.24/35 to procure a coastal reconnaissance
/light bomber
to replace the Avro Anson
. Bristol proposed the Type 149, based on its Blenheim Mk I
, with Bristol Aquila
engines to give greater range. While the Air Ministry rejected this proposal, a Blenheim Mk I, retaining its Mercury VIII engines, was converted as a Type 149 (Blenheim Mk III) for the general reconnaissance role. The nose was lengthened to provide more room for the bombardier, with the upper left surface of the nose being scooped out to maintain pilot visibility during takeoff and landing.
The longer range also fulfilled a Canadian
requirement for a maritime patrol aircraft. Consequently, Fairchild Aircraft Ltd. (Canada)
of Quebec started production of the Blenheim Mk IV as the Bolingbroke (the originally intended name for the Blenheim IV). This type was nicknamed the "Bolly". After a small run of aircraft constructed to British specifications, as the Bolingbroke Mk I, Fairchild switched production to the Bolingbroke Mk IV with Canadian and American instruments and equipment. These versions also included anti-icing boots and a dinghy
. One of the early Mk IV variants was the Bolingbroke Mk IVW which was powered by two 825 hp (615 kW) Pratt & Whitney SB4G Twin Wasp Junior
engines. Incapable of maintaining altitude on one engine, the normal bomb load was reduced to 500 pounds on these aircraft to compensate for the low engine power. Most of the 151 Mk IV's served in their intended role as patrol bombers on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Canada between 1940 and 1944. Two squadrons of these aircraft also served in Alaska during the Aleutians campaign. Another 457 were completed as the Bolingbroke Mk IVT trainer which saw extensive use in the BCATP. A total of 626 Bolingbrokes were produced.
Bolingbroke Mk II
Bolingbroke Mk III
Bolingbroke Mk IV
Bolingbroke Mk IVW
Bolingbroke Mk IVC
Bolingbroke Mk IVT
Canada
IV Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
, Hamilton, Ontario
. This is being rebuilt to airworthy status from the remains of eight separate aircraft.
IV 9048 Bristol Aero Collection, Filton, Bristol, under restoration.
IV 9059 Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum
in Brandon, Manitoba
.
IV 9104 British Columbia Aviation Museum
, Victoria, British Columbia
.
IVT 9892 Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Rockcliffe, Ontario.
IVT 9895 Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and of Military History
, Brussels, Belgium.
IVT 9940 National Museum of Flight, Scotland, under restoration.
IVT 9944 Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum
in Brandon, Manitoba
. This aircraft is displayed next to the Trans-Canada Highway
in Brandon.
IVT 9987 Bomber Command Museum of Canada, Nanton, Alberta.
IVT 10001 Royal Air Force Museum, London.
IVT 10076 Pima Air & Space Museum
, Tucson, Arizona.
IVT 10120 Reynolds-Alberta Museum
, Wetaskiwin, Alberta.
IVT 10201 This was restored to airworthy condition by the Aircraft Restoration Company at Imperial War Museum Duxford
as G-BPIV. It is currently being fitted with a Blenheim Mk I nose which had previously been converted to a car.
Bristol Aeroplane Company
The Bristol Aeroplane Company, originally the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company, was both one of the first and one of the most important British aviation companies, designing and manufacturing both airframes and aero engines...
Fairchild Bolingbroke was a maritime patrol aircraft used by the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
during the Second World War. Built by Fairchild-Canada
Fairchild Aircraft Ltd. (Canada)
The Fairchild Aircraft Ltd. of Longueuil, Quebec, Canada was an aircraft manufacturer in the period 1920-1950. It served as a subsidiary of the Fairchild Aircraft company of the United States.-Origin:...
, it was a variant of the Bristol Blenheim Mk IV
Bristol Blenheim
The Bristol Blenheim was a British light bomber aircraft designed and built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company that was used extensively in the early days of the Second World War. It was adapted as an interim long-range and night fighter, pending the availability of the Beaufighter...
bomber.
Design and development
In 1935, the British Air MinistryAir Ministry
The Air Ministry was a department of the British Government with the responsibility of managing the affairs of the Royal Air Force, that existed from 1918 to 1964...
issued Specification G.24/35 to procure a coastal reconnaissance
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
/light bomber
Light bomber
A light bomber is a relatively small and fast class of military bomber aircraft which were primarily employed before the 1950s. Such aircraft would typically not carry more than one ton of ordnance....
to replace the Avro Anson
Avro Anson
The Avro Anson is a British twin-engine, multi-role aircraft that served with the Royal Air Force, Fleet Air Arm and numerous other air forces prior to, during, and after the Second World War. Named for British Admiral George Anson, it was originally designed for maritime reconnaissance, but was...
. Bristol proposed the Type 149, based on its Blenheim Mk I
Bristol Blenheim
The Bristol Blenheim was a British light bomber aircraft designed and built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company that was used extensively in the early days of the Second World War. It was adapted as an interim long-range and night fighter, pending the availability of the Beaufighter...
, with Bristol Aquila
Bristol Aquila
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9...
engines to give greater range. While the Air Ministry rejected this proposal, a Blenheim Mk I, retaining its Mercury VIII engines, was converted as a Type 149 (Blenheim Mk III) for the general reconnaissance role. The nose was lengthened to provide more room for the bombardier, with the upper left surface of the nose being scooped out to maintain pilot visibility during takeoff and landing.
The longer range also fulfilled a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
requirement for a maritime patrol aircraft. Consequently, Fairchild Aircraft Ltd. (Canada)
Fairchild Aircraft Ltd. (Canada)
The Fairchild Aircraft Ltd. of Longueuil, Quebec, Canada was an aircraft manufacturer in the period 1920-1950. It served as a subsidiary of the Fairchild Aircraft company of the United States.-Origin:...
of Quebec started production of the Blenheim Mk IV as the Bolingbroke (the originally intended name for the Blenheim IV). This type was nicknamed the "Bolly". After a small run of aircraft constructed to British specifications, as the Bolingbroke Mk I, Fairchild switched production to the Bolingbroke Mk IV with Canadian and American instruments and equipment. These versions also included anti-icing boots and a dinghy
Dinghy
A dinghy is a type of small boat, often carried or towed for use as a ship's boat by a larger vessel. It is a loanword from either Bengali or Urdu. The term can also refer to small racing yachts or recreational open sailing boats. Utility dinghies are usually rowboats or have an outboard motor,...
. One of the early Mk IV variants was the Bolingbroke Mk IVW which was powered by two 825 hp (615 kW) Pratt & Whitney SB4G Twin Wasp Junior
Pratt & Whitney R-1535
|-See also:* Pratt & Whitney Wasp series* R-985 Wasp Junior* R-1340 Wasp* R-1830 Twin Wasp* R-2800 Double Wasp* R-4360 Wasp Major-Bibliography:...
engines. Incapable of maintaining altitude on one engine, the normal bomb load was reduced to 500 pounds on these aircraft to compensate for the low engine power. Most of the 151 Mk IV's served in their intended role as patrol bombers on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Canada between 1940 and 1944. Two squadrons of these aircraft also served in Alaska during the Aleutians campaign. Another 457 were completed as the Bolingbroke Mk IVT trainer which saw extensive use in the BCATP. A total of 626 Bolingbrokes were produced.
Operational history
Variants
Bolingbroke Mk I- Twin-engine maritime patrol bomber aircraft, powered by two Bristol Mercury VIII radial piston engines, with British equipment. 18 built.
Bolingbroke Mk II
- Conversion of fifth Mk I with US equipment - prototype of Mk IV.
Bolingbroke Mk III
- Floatplane conversion of sixteenth Bolingbroke Mk I, with two EdoEdo Aircraft CorporationEdo Aircraft Corporation was an American aircraft manufacturing company known primarily for manufacturing pontoons for floatplanes.-History:...
floats.
Bolingbroke Mk IV
- Twin-engine maritime patrol bomber aircraft, equipped with anti-icing boots and a dinghy, also fitted with American and Canadian instruments and equipment, powered by two Bristol Mercury XV radial piston engines, 134 built.
Bolingbroke Mk IVW
- Sub-version of Mk IV powered by two 825 hp (615 kW) Pratt & Whitney SB4G Twin Wasp Junior radial piston engines as contingency against possible shortages of Mercury engines. The Mk IVW's performance was below that of the Mk IV and the supply of the British engines was maintained so production returned to the Mk IV after only 15 aircraft were built.
Bolingbroke Mk IVC
- Version of Mk IV with 900 hp (671 kW) Wright R-1820Wright R-1820|-See also:-References:* Bridgman, L, Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II. Crescent. ISBN 0-517-67964-7* Eden, Paul & Soph Moeng, The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Amber Books Ltd. Bradley's Close, 74-77 White Lion Street, London, NI 9PF, 2002, ISBN 0-7607-3432-1), 1152...
Cyclone engines not requiring high octaneOctane ratingOctane rating or octane number is a standard measure of the anti-knock properties of a motor or aviation fuel. The higher the octane number, the more compression the fuel can withstand before detonating...
fuel. One built.
Bolingbroke Mk IVT
- Multi-purpose trainer aircraft. A total of 350 built powered by Mercury XV engines, followed by a further 107 powered by the low-octane fuel Mercury XX* engine, giving a total of 457 built, with a further 51 cancelled. 6 Mk IVT were converted to dual controls. A further 89 were converted to Mk IVTT Target Tug with the addition of winching gear in the rear cabin and target drogue storage in the bomb bay.
Operators
Canada
- Royal Canadian Air ForceRoyal Canadian Air ForceThe history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
- Operational Squadrons of the Home War Establishment (HWE):
- No. 8 Squadron RCAFNo. 8 Squadron RCAF-References:NotesBibliography* Kostenuk, S. and J. Griffin. RCAF Squadron Histories and Aircraft: 1924–1968. Toronto: Samuel Stevens, Hakkert & Company, 1977. ISBN 0-88866-577-6....
- Used Bolingbroke Mk I and Mk IV (Dec 40 - Aug 43) - No. 115 Squadron RCAFNo. 115 Squadron RCAFNo. 115 Squadron was a Royal Canadian Air Force Canadian Home War Establishment Squadron.-Equipment:*Bristol Bolingbroke I *Bristol Bolingbroke IV *Lockheed Ventura GR.V...
- Used Bolingbroke Mk I (Aug 41 to Dec 41) and Mk IV (Nov 41 to Aug 43) - No. 119 Squadron RCAFNo. 119 Squadron RCAF-History:RCAF Canadian Home War Establishment Squadron.Tasked with anti-submarine duty over the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Ocean around Nova Scotia.Disbanded 15 March 1944-Equipment:*Northrop Delta...
- Used Bolingbroke Mk I (Aug 40 - Aug 41), Mk IVW (Aug - Nov 41) and Mk IV (Nov 41 - Jun 42) - No. 147 Squadron RCAFNo. 147 Squadron RCAF-References:NotesBibliography* Kostenuk, S. and J. Griffin. RCAF Squadron Histories and Aircraft: 1924–1968. Toronto: Samuel Stevens, Hakkert & Company, 1977. ISBN 0-88866-577-6....
- Used Bolingbroke Mk I and Mk IV (Jul 42 - Mar 44)
- No. 8 Squadron RCAF
- The following HWE squadrons only had small numbers of Bolingbrokes on strength:
- No. 13 (OT) Squadron RCAF - Used Bolingbroke Mk IV (Oct 41 - Jun 42)
- No. 121 (K) Squadron RCAF - Used Bolingbroke Mk IVTT (Target Tug) (Aug 42 - May 44)
- No. 122 (K) Squadron RCAF - Used Bolingbroke Mk IVTT (Target Tug) (Aug 42 - Sep 45)
- No. 163 (AC) Squadron RCAF - Used Bolingbroke Mk IV (Mar - Jun 43)
- (BR)-Bomber Reconnaissance; (OT)-Operational Training; (K)-Auxiliary; (AC)-Army Co-operation
- Operational Squadrons of the Home War Establishment (HWE):
- British Commonwealth Air Training PlanBritish Commonwealth Air Training PlanThe British Commonwealth Air Training Plan , known in some countries as the Empire Air Training Scheme , was a massive, joint military aircrew training program created by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, during the Second World War...
(BCATP)- Bombing and Gunnery Schools
- No. 1 B&G School - Jarvis, OntarioJarvis, OntarioJarvis is a small community in Haldimand County, Ontario, Canada. Jarvis is located near the towns of Simcoe, Townsend, Cayuga, Port Dover and Hagersville. It is located at the crossroads of Highway 3 and Highway 6.- Facilities :...
, Used Bolingbroke IVT (Aug 40 - Feb 45) - No. 2 B&G School - Mossbank, SaskatchewanRCAF Station MossbankRCAF Station Mossbank was home to No. 2 Bombing and Gunnery School, a Second World War British Commonwealth Air Training Plan training facility located near Mossbank, Saskatchewan, Canada. It was similar to the gunnery school at Dafoe Saskatchewan. The proximity to a lake was important since the...
, Used Bolingbroke IVT (Oct 40 - Dec 44) - No. 3 B&G School - Macdonald, ManitobaMacdonald, ManitobaMacdonald is a rural municipality lying adjacent to the southwest side of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It is part of the Winnipeg Capital Region, but is not part of the smaller Winnipeg census metropolitan area. Macdonald's population as of the 2006 census was 5,653.-External links:**...
, Used Anson, Battle, Bolingbroke IVT and Lysander, (Mar 41 - Feb 45) - No. 4 B&G School - Fingal, OntarioLondon, OntarioLondon is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
, Used Bolingbroke IVT (Nov 40 - Feb 45) - No. 5 B&G School - Dafoe, SaskatchewanRCAF Station DafoeRCAF Station Dafoe was a Second World War Royal Canadian Air Force station located near Dafoe, Saskatchewan, Canada. The station was home to the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan's No. 5 Bomber and Gunnery School. The school opened January 1941 and closed January 1945...
, Used Bolingbroke IVT (Apr 41 - Feb 45) - No. 6 B&G School - Mountain View, Ontario, Used Bolingbroke IVT (Jun 41 - Post War)
- No. 7 B&G School - Paulson, Manitoba, Used Bolingbroke IVT (Jun 41 - Feb 45)
- No. 8 B&G School - Lethbridge, AlbertaLethbridge County AirportLethbridge County Airport or Lethbridge Airport, , is located south southeast of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. It is 10-15 driving minutes from the downtown area and has scheduled service to the Alberta cities of Calgary and Edmonton. The airport is classified as an airport of entry by NAV CANADA...
, Used Bolingbroke IVT (Oct 41 - Dec 44) - No. 9 B&G School - Mont-Joli, QuebecMont-Joli, Quebec-External links:*...
, Used Bolingbroke IVT (Dec 41 - Apr 45) - No. 10 B&G School - Mount Pleasant, Prince Edward IslandRCAF Station Mount PleasantRCAF Station Mount Pleasant was a Royal Canadian Air Force station in Mount Pleasant, Prince Edward Island, Canada. Two of its runways remain in use by members of the Experimental Aircraft Association....
, Used Bolingbroke IVT (Sep 43 - Jun 45) - No. 31 B&G School (RAF) - Picton, OntarioPicton, OntarioPicton is an unincorporated community located in Prince Edward County in southern Central Ontario, Canada. It is the county seat and largest community. Picton is located at the south-western end of Picton Bay, a branch of the Bay of Quinte, which is along the northern shoreline of Lake Ontario...
, Used Bolingbroke IVT (Apr 41 - Nov 44) — currently Picton AirportPicton AirportPicton Airport is located on the southeast side of Picton, Ontario, Canada, near the Bay of Quinte on Lake Ontario. The airport is used for general aviation, including glider flying.-History:During World War II, the airport hosted the No...
- No. 1 B&G School - Jarvis, Ontario
- Bombing and Gunnery Schools
Survivors
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum is a Canadian aviation museum located at the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport near Hamilton, Ontario. The museum has 36 military jets, propeller-driven aircraft and helicopters on display....
, Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
. This is being rebuilt to airworthy status from the remains of eight separate aircraft.
IV 9048 Bristol Aero Collection, Filton, Bristol, under restoration.
IV 9059 Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum
Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum
The Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum is an aviation museum located at Brandon Municipal Airport, Brandon, Manitoba. It is dedicated to the memory of the airmen from the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, who trained at World War II air stations across Canada...
in Brandon, Manitoba
Brandon, Manitoba
Brandon is the second largest city in Manitoba, Canada, and is located in the southwestern area of the province. Brandon is the largest city in the Westman region of Manitoba. The city is located along the Assiniboine River. Spruce Woods Provincial Park and CFB Shilo are a relatively short distance...
.
IV 9104 British Columbia Aviation Museum
British Columbia Aviation Museum
The British Columbia Aviation Museum is located in Sidney, Greater Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. It is on the grounds of the Victoria International Airport at 1910 Norseman Road on the north edge of the airport....
, Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of about 78,000 within the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria, which has a population of 360,063, the 15th most populous Canadian...
.
IVT 9892 Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Rockcliffe, Ontario.
IVT 9895 Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and of Military History
Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and of Military History
The Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History The Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History The Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History (or simply the Royal Military Museum (RRM) is a museum that occupies the two northernmost halls of the historic complex in...
, Brussels, Belgium.
IVT 9940 National Museum of Flight, Scotland, under restoration.
IVT 9944 Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum
Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum
The Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum is an aviation museum located at Brandon Municipal Airport, Brandon, Manitoba. It is dedicated to the memory of the airmen from the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, who trained at World War II air stations across Canada...
in Brandon, Manitoba
Brandon, Manitoba
Brandon is the second largest city in Manitoba, Canada, and is located in the southwestern area of the province. Brandon is the largest city in the Westman region of Manitoba. The city is located along the Assiniboine River. Spruce Woods Provincial Park and CFB Shilo are a relatively short distance...
. This aircraft is displayed next to the Trans-Canada Highway
Trans-Canada Highway
The Trans-Canada Highway is a federal-provincial highway system that joins the ten provinces of Canada. It is, along with the Trans-Siberian Highway and Australia's Highway 1, one of the world's longest national highways, with the main route spanning 8,030 km...
in Brandon.
IVT 9987 Bomber Command Museum of Canada, Nanton, Alberta.
IVT 10001 Royal Air Force Museum, London.
IVT 10076 Pima Air & Space Museum
Pima Air & Space Museum
The Pima Air & Space Museum features a display of nearly 300 aircraft spread out over 80 acres on a campus occupying 127 acres . Located in Tucson, Arizona, it is one of the world's largest, non-government funded aerospace museums...
, Tucson, Arizona.
IVT 10120 Reynolds-Alberta Museum
Reynolds-Alberta Museum
The Reynolds-Alberta Museum, in Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada, one of 18 provincially owned and operated historic sites and museums, honours the "spirit of the machine"...
, Wetaskiwin, Alberta.
IVT 10201 This was restored to airworthy condition by the Aircraft Restoration Company at Imperial War Museum Duxford
Imperial War Museum Duxford
Imperial War Museum Duxford is a branch of the Imperial War Museum near the village of Duxford in Cambridgeshire, England. Britain's largest aviation museum, Duxford houses the museum's large exhibits, including nearly 200 aircraft, military vehicles, artillery and minor naval vessels in seven...
as G-BPIV. It is currently being fitted with a Blenheim Mk I nose which had previously been converted to a car.
Specifications (Bolingbroke Mk IV)
See also
External links
- Canadian Warplane Heritage Bolingbroke restoration in Hamilton, ON
- CAHC Bolingbroke restoration in Montreal, QC
- Greenwood Military Air Museum Bolingbroke IV restoration in Nova Scotia
- The Nanton Lancaster Society Air Museum Bolingbroke IV
- British Columbia Aviation Museum Bolingbroke IV
- Pima Air & Space Museum Bolingbroke IV
- The Bristol Aero Collection Bolingbroke 9048 Restoration Project