Corgi AA38405 Bristol Blenheim MkIV – 254 Sqn, Coastal Command, Aldgrove,Autumn 1941

Bristol Blenheim IV’s entered service with Coastal Command in late 1939 and by 1940 was the most important version having replaced the Blenheim I in the majority of front-line duties. The Blenheim was used in a variety of roles including shipping protection, coastal patrols, reconnaissance, and as an attack aircraft but losses were high due mainly to the type’s vulnerability against enemy fighters. However, Coastal Command Blenheims were also used in the long-range fighter role and a number of aircraft were fitted with a four gun pack mounted beneath the fuselage. Designated as Blenheim IVF, this variant offered other improvements, most notably the fitting of an additional machine gun in the mid-upper turret and operating with a dedicated three man crew. 254 Squadron was based at Aldergrove, Northern Ireland from May to December 1941, and continued to fly the type until June 1942.