| AR, the link in post #16 is the Belgian Battle if you haven't seen her before.
Sometimes I feel as though the Battle was the interim aircraft when biplane bombers were being phased out but nothing decent monoplane-wise had been designed as a "culture-shift" in what bombers should be was still under way. Despite its shortcomings, I think the Blenheim was the first real attempt at a modern British bomber. After all, when it flew, it was faster than the fighters at the time. Obviously it was caught up with pretty quickly but it presented a leap forward by proving bombers didn't have to be lumbering things. The Battle was another attempt at this (thinking differently) but, I think, put too much reliance on the Merlin.
Interesting that two pivotal British light bombers, the Blenheim and Mossie, started off as private ventures.
Having said all that, and going back to AR's comments about knowing the inadequacies of your aircraft, surely Battle men were the bravest of the brave? Mind you, all aircrew were brave no matter their nationality or aircraft. The early RAF bomber crews in the war, though, never cease to amaze me. Interesting to note that a lot of the leaders I come across in my reading on the Med theatre had already completed a tour out of the UK before being posted to warmer climes. Amazing people. |