A Royal Air Force Training Aircraft
This is the type of aircraft Dad, (Natapu MARA 30.766) did his Air Gunner Training in. A twin-engine general reconnaissance and torpedo bomber that had a short operational service life.
The Blackburn B.26 Botha was a British four-seat reconnaissance and torpedo bomber. It was built by Blackburn Aircraft at its factories at Brough and Dumbarton, as a competitor to the Bristol Beaufort, entering service with the RAF in 1939. The design was under powered and it was quickly withdrawn from operations.
It was subsequently relegated to Training Establishments in support of reconnaissance and bombing / navigation / gunnery training with a few aircraft being used for communications and as target tugs.
BLACKBURN B.26 BOTHA
Role: Torpedo bomber
Manufacturer: Blackburn Aircraft
First flight: 28 December 1938
Introduction: 12 December 1939
Retired: September 1944
Primary user: Royal Air Force
Number built: 580
Maximum speed: 400 km/h
Maiden flight: 28 Dec 1938
Length: 15.58 m
Wingspan: 17.98 m
© Paul L T Mara 2020
DOMINIE | PERCIVAL PROCTOR | BLACKBURN BOTHA | AVRO ANSON | BOSTON BOMBERS