Bristol Bolingbroke - Photos & Videos

Bristol Beaufort
Country	UK
Role	Maritime patrol aircraft/trainer
First flight	14 September 1939
Built	626

The Bristol Fairchild Bolingbroke is a maritime patrol aircraft and trainer used by the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War. Built by Fairchild-Canada, it was a license-built version of the Bristol Blenheim Mk IV bomber.

Source: Bristol Beaufort on Wikipedia

Bristol Bolingbroke Mk.IVT Walk Around
Photographer	Ondrej Skarka
Localisation	Unknow
Photos	29

Bristol Bolingbroke Mk.IVT 02

Bristol Bolingbroke Mk.IVT 01

Bristol Bolingbroke Mk.IVT 03

Bristol Bolingbroke Mk.IVT 04

Bristol Bolingbroke Mk.IVT 05

Bristol Bolingbroke Mk.IVT 07

Bristol Bolingbroke Mk.IVT 06

Bristol Bolingbroke Mk.IVT 08

Bristol Bolingbroke Mk.IVT 09

Click on a photo and use the mouse scroll to view all photos

General Characteristics (Fairchild-Canada Mk IV Variant)

The Bristol Bolingbroke was a Canadian license-built version of the British Bristol Blenheim Mk IV light bomber/maritime patrol aircraft. Built by Fairchild-Canada, it was adapted to meet the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) requirement for a coastal reconnaissance and anti-submarine aircraft. It features a lengthened nose compared to the Blenheim I for improved bombardier space and pilot visibility.

Property	Typical Value (Bolingbroke Mk IV)
Role	Maritime Patrol / Advanced Trainer / Target Tug
Manufacturer	Fairchild Aircraft Ltd. (Canada)
First Flight (Canadian-Built)	September 14, 1939
Crew	3 (Pilot, Navigator/Bombardier, Wireless Operator/Gunner)
Length	13.03 m (42 ft 9 in)
Wingspan	17.17 m (56 ft 4 in)
Max Takeoff Weight	6,532 kg (14,400 lb)

Design and Powerplant

Engines: Two Bristol Mercury XV 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines.
Power Output (each): Approximately 690 kW (925 hp) at take-off.
Construction: One of the first all-metal, stressed-skin aircraft built in Canada.
Variants: The most common production variant was the **Mk IV**, fitted with Canadian and American instruments. The **Mk IVT** was the primary multi-purpose trainer used extensively in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP).
Naval Adaptation: Equipped with anti-icing boots and a dinghy for maritime operations.

Performance and Armament

Maximum Speed: Up to 428 km/h (266 mph, 231 knots) at altitude.
Cruise Speed: Approximately 319 km/h (198 mph).
Service Ceiling: 8,310 m (27,260 ft).
Range: 2,350 km (1,460 miles) with a 454 kg (1,000 lb) bombload.
Fixed Armament: Typically one .303 in (7.7 mm) Browning machine gun in the port wing.
Defensive Armament:
- Dorsal Turret: One or two .303 in (7.7 mm) machine guns (in a semi-retractable turret).
- Nose/Chin: Some variants carried a forward-firing or rear-firing gun in a blister/fairing.
Bomb Load: Up to 540 kg (1,200 lb) internally, including general-purpose bombs and depth charges for anti-submarine missions.