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First flight of the Bristol Blenheim

The Bristol Blenheim is a British light bomber designed and built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, which was used extensively in the first two years of the Second World War, with examples still...

The Bristol Blenheim is a British light bomber designed and built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, which was used extensively in the first two years of the Second World War, with examples still being used as trainers until the end of the war. Development began with the Type 142, a civil airliner, after a challenge from the newspaper proprietor Lord Rothermere to produce the fastest commercial aircraft in Europe. The Type 142 first flew in April 1935, and the Air Ministry ordered a bomber development as the Type 142M for the Royal Air Force (RAF).

Deliveries of the Blenheim to RAF squadrons commenced on 10 March 1937.

Historical Significance

The Bristol Blenheim is a British light bomber designed and built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, which was used extensively in the first two years of the Second World War, with examples still being used as trainers until the end of the war.

Events Before

  1. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (US bank guarantor) comes into effect

    Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (US bank guarantor) comes into effect

  2. American comedian and actor Lou Costello (27) weds American burlesque dancer Anne Battler (21)

    Louis Francis Cristillo (March 6, 1906 – March 3, 1959), better known as Lou Costello, was an American comedian, actor and producer.

  3. FDR devalues the US dollar relative to gold to $35 per ounce

    FDR devalues the US dollar relative to gold to $35 per ounce

  4. British-American entertainer Bob Hope (30) weds American singer Dolores DeFina (24) in Erie, Pennsylvania, until his dea

    British-American entertainer Bob Hope (30) weds American singer Dolores DeFina (24) in Erie, Pennsylvania, until his death in 2003

  5. "It Happened One Night" directed by Frank Capra and starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert opens at NY's Radio City

    "It Happened One Night" directed by Frank Capra and starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert opens at NY's Radio City Music Hall (Academy Awards Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress and Screenplay 1935)

Events After

  1. Roger Miller is born

    Roger Miller, American musician, known for american country musician, was born on 1936-01-02. Roger Dean Miller Sr.

  2. Billboard magazine publishes its first music hit parade

    A hit parade is a ranked list of the most popular recordings at a given point in time, usually determined either by sales or airplay.

  3. Actress Mary Pickford (44) divorces actor Douglas Fairbanks (52) after 15 years of marriage

    Actress Mary Pickford (44) divorces actor Douglas Fairbanks (52) after 15 years of marriage

  4. Screen Directors Guild incorporates in Hollywood and later elects King Vidor as its first president

    Screen Directors Guild incorporates in Hollywood and later elects King Vidor as its first president

  5. First players elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame: Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson and Walter Johns

    First players elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame: Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson and Walter Johnson

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David McKee, British writer and illustrator, known for british writer and illustrator, was born on 1935-01-02.

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Jim Bakker televangelist, known for american televangelist, was born on 1939-01-02. James Orsen Bakker is an American televangelist and convicted felon.

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Claus von Stauffenberg is promoted to Second Lieutenant

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on April 12, 1935?
The Bristol Blenheim is a British light bomber designed and built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, which was used extensively in the first two years of the Second World War, with examples still being used as trainers until the end of the war. Development began with the Type 142, a civil airliner, after a challenge from the newspaper proprietor Lord Rothermere to produce the fastest commercial aircraft in Europe. The Type 142 first flew in April 1935, and the Air Ministry ordered a bomber development as the Type 142M for the Royal Air Force (RAF).
Why is First flight of the Bristol Blenheim significant?
The Bristol Blenheim is a British light bomber designed and built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, which was used extensively in the first two years of the Second World War, with examples still being used as trainers until the end of the war.

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April 12 in HistoryYear 1935