Bristol 142 Blenheim

Operator:

Registration:

L1494

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Church Fenton - Church Fenton

MSN:

8777

YOM:

1939

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The pilot departed RAF Church Fenton on a solo training sortie. While cruising at night, the airplane suffered an engine failure and crashed in an open field, bursting into flames. The pilot Sgt Bruce William Smeaton was killed.

Probable cause:

Engine failure in flight.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV off Camaret-sur-Mer: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 9, 1941 at 1525 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

V6379

Flight Phase:

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Schedule:

Portreath - Portreath

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The airplane departed RAF Portreath at 1330LT on an anti-shipping operation. It was last seen at a height of 200 feet off Camaret-sur-Mer, attacking a 1,000 ton vessel then crashed into the sea with its left engine on fire. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
S/L Richard Langebear,
F/Sgt Alec Kenneth Newbery,
P/O Jack Richard Stone.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV in Boulogne-sur-Mer: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 9, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

T1874

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

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Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Thorney Island - Thorney Island

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The airplane departed RAF Thorney Island at 2200LT on an operation to Boulogne-sur-Mer. It crashed in unknown circumstances while approaching the target, killing the entire crew.
Crew:
S/L Gerald Charles Neil Close, pilot,
F/O Frederick George Roberts, observer,
Sgt Gordon William Richards, wireless operator.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV off Wierum

Date & Time: May 8, 1941 at 0013 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

P4860

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Norwich - Norwich

MSN:

9375

YOM:

1939

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The crew departed RAF Horsham St Faith (Norwich) at 2204LT on an anti-shipping operation. Approaching the Dutch coast, it crashed in unknown circumstances in the Waddenzee. All three crew members were rescued and became PoW.
Crew:
Sgt Kenneth Robert Coles,
Sgt Horace Hale,
Sgt James William Middleton.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV off Stavanger: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 8, 1941

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Registration:

V5828

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Schedule:

Lossiemouth - Lossiemouth

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The airplane departed RAF Lossiemouth at 0510LT on an anti-shipping operation off the Norwegian coast. Approaching Stavanger, it was seen with the port engine on fire then crashed into the Havsfjord. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
W/Cdr Arnold Louis Christian,
F/Sgt Harold Frederick Hancock,
Sgt George Wade.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV into The Channel: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 7, 1941 at 1116 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

R3741

Flight Phase:

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Site:

Schedule:

Portreath - Portreath

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The airplane departed RAF Portreath on an anti-shipping operation. It crashed at 1116LT, streaming flames, into the sea, after attacking a cargo vessel. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
S/L Robert Bramston Barker,
Sgt Vernon Hughes,
Sgt Norman Henry Meanwell.

Probable cause:

Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV near Norwich

Date & Time: May 6, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

V6196

Flight Phase:

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Schedule:

Norwich - Norwich

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The crew departed RAF Horsham St Faith (Norwich) at 0015LT on a local training exercise. The airplane collided with a tree after departure and the pilot maintained control, but due to enemy air activity in the area, the crew were obliged to circle for 90 minutes before crash landing near the airfield. All three crew members were injured.
Crew:
Sgt J. Evans,
Sgt W. J. Dumolo,
Sgt Tuppen.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV into the North Sea: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 6, 1941

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Operator:

Registration:

R3600

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

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Schedule:

Wattisham - Wattisham

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The airplane departed RAF Wattisham at 1115LT on an anti-shipping operation. It crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea, killing all three crew members.
Crew:
Sgt Joseph Dennis Bramhall, wireless operator,
F/Sgt Ronald Albert Freestone,
F/Lt Edward Nation Steel.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV into the North Sea: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 6, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

Z5875

Flight Phase:

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