Bristol Blenheim Image Gallery

While the A8 serials range was ultimately allotted to the Australian built versions of the Beaufighter, it was originally allotted for Australian production of the Bristol Blenheim MkIV.

The plan had been for 50 Blenheim aircraft to be produced in Australia for the RAAF and the A8 series of serials was allotted for this purpose.

Order O.I.550 was also placed on the 12th of February 1937 for the supply 40 Bristol Type 149 Bolingbroke (later renamed Blenheim IV) aircraft and engines to be serialled A9-1 to A9-40, but this was subsequently cancelled.

Shortly thereafter, the Australian Government invited a British Air Mission to discuss the defence needs of Australia and Singapore. Also on the Australian Government's agenda was a rapid expansion of the Australian aircraft industry to meet the needs of both the RAAF and RAF in the region.

As the design for the Bristol Beaufort began to mature, the decision was taken to produce this aircraft for the RAAF instead of the Blenheim, due it's greater versatility and design potential. Hence, on 1 July 1939, orders were placed for 180 airframes and spares and the Beaufort Division was formed within the Commonwealth Department of Aircraft Production (DAP) to oversee production while the Blenheim project was cancelled.

The Beaufort was allocated the next series of serials in the A9 range and A8 was ultimately reallocated to the DAP built Beaufighter.

Bristol Blenheim MkI, IV & V aircraft did serve with three RAAF squadrons (454, 456 & 459 Squadrons) with RAF serials.