A30_737_AEW&C Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 (edited) Gentlemen, I have a couple of both the Airfix Blenheim Mk. I and Mk. IVF kits underway ATM. One aspect of the Blenheim kit I am unsure of is the dorsal gun turret options offered in the kit. I understand the single and double gun turret options and when the double gun option was introduced into service. What is unclear is whether the two clear parts - G3 & G6 (Mk. I sprues) and G3 & G4 (Mk. IVF sprues) simply reflect the stowed/deployed turret option, or is there a 'different' turret option for the Mk. I for example ? Many side profiles included either in books on the Blenheim or in aftermarket decals I have almost always illustrate the short squat turret. I suspect this is purely reflecting the 'artistic licence' adopted by the illustrators ? Many thanks, Edited January 17, 2015 by A30_737_AEW&C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Knight Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 You have it. One part is the turret deployed/raised and the other for it stowed/ lowered. Many profile artists do not know the intricacies of what they draw; they might have just drawn from a picture not knowing that the turret can be raised and lowered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A30_737_AEW&C Posted January 18, 2015 Author Share Posted January 18, 2015 (edited) Many thanks good Sir Knight I suspected as much regarding the drawn profiles. I guess it's something anyone with CG drawiing skills can master, even if they are a bit 'raw' on the subject. Edited January 18, 2015 by A30_737_AEW&C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selwyn Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Gentlemen, I have a couple of both the Airfix Blenheim Mk. I and Mk. IVF kits underway ATM. One aspect of the Blenheim kit I am unsure of is the dorsal gun turret options offered in the kit. I understand the single and double gun turret options and when the double gun option was introduced into service. What is unclear is whether the two clear parts - G3 & G6 (Mk. I sprues) and G3 & G4 (Mk. IVF sprues) simply reflect the stowed/deployed turret option, or is there a 'different' turret option for the Mk. I for example ? Many side profiles included either in books on the Blenheim or in aftermarket decals I have almost always illustrate the short squat turret. I suspect this is purely reflecting the 'artistic licence' adopted by the illustrators ? Many thanks, The Blenheim was fitted with one turret type in its career, the Bristol BI. Saying that there were different variants of this turret. They are: BI Mk I (Early Blenheim mk I only) 1x Lewis Gun BI Mk IE 1x VGO. BI MkII 1x VGO BI Mk IIIA 2x VGO BI MkIV 2x Browning There was only very minor changes to the perspex on these variants all could be seen in the raised and lowered position as depicted in the kit. Selwyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A30_737_AEW&C Posted February 14, 2015 Author Share Posted February 14, 2015 Many thanks for the additional turret info, Selwyn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhaselden Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 The Blenheim was fitted with one turret type in its career, the Bristol BI. Saying that there were different variants of this turret. They are: BI Mk I (Early Blenheim mk I only) 1x Lewis Gun BI Mk IE 1x VGO. BI MkII 1x VGO BI Mk IIIA 2x VGO BI MkIV 2x Browning There was only very minor changes to the perspex on these variants all could be seen in the raised and lowered position as depicted in the kit. Selwyn Interesting info, Selwyn. Far East Blenheim MkIs were upgraded with 2 guns in the turret. It would be interesting to know whether they were fitted with a later turret or if it was a local modification of the existing turret. I'm guessing we'll never know for sure... Cheers, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Boak Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 Not quite. The Blenheim Mk.V had the Bristol BX dorsal turret, with twin Brownings. More effective but draggier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selwyn Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 Interesting info, Selwyn. Far East Blenheim MkIs were upgraded with 2 guns in the turret. It would be interesting to know whether they were fitted with a later turret or if it was a local modification of the existing turret. I'm guessing we'll never know for sure... Cheers, Mark Probably an official modification to an existing turret. Selwyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhaselden Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 That was my thought, too, Selwyn. MUs were more than capable of making such modifications, whether official or not. Cheers, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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