



So, this is it. A Forgotten Part of Aviation History, especially in Indonesia. Bristol Blenheim Mk.IV, Re-Engined with Nakajima Sakae / HA-115.
In November 1945, just after Indonesian Independence from Japanese Occupation, A Group of Aviation Engineer led by Sgt. Sajad, Decided to Reactivate an Ex-Dutch Bristol Blenheim in Madiun City, Eastern part of Java. The Re-activation Program of the Briston Blenheim Consisting of Changing the Engine to Japanese Engine Nakajima Sakae ( The Fact is The Blenheim used Nakajima Ha-115 taken from A Ki-43 Hayabusa ), Changing the Instrument Panels from the British into Japanese Gauges and Panels, and Fitting an Aerial Camera on the Nose for Reconnaisance Purpose. This Re-Engined Blenheim had a task to Breaching the Naval Blockade of Dutch Navy in the Indonesian War of Independence. (Yes, this Blenheim purposed to carry no aerial weapons at all)
on 13rd November 1946, The Re-Engined Bristol Blenheim (now using the Nakajima Ha-115 Engine) Rolled out from the Maospati Aircraft Maintenance Center in Madiun City, With Ex-Japanese Army Pilot (unknown japanese name, Using a New Indonesian Name "Suhanda") as Test Pilot on the Cockpit, The Modified Blenheim.
the Initial Test was the Engine Run Test, which surprisingly gave a good Result. Continued with Gauges and Instrumental Test and resulting with no problems. After the Ground Test, The Blenheim Taxiing to the Runway, Proceeding to Take-off.
in The Maiden Test Flight, The Modified Blenheim reached an altitude of 100 m above grounds before banking around the Maospati Airfield and Proceeding to Landing. Unfortunately, Before the Blenheim could landed, it already lost power and made a belly landing just outside the Airfield. Luckily, the Japanese Test Pilot "Suhanda" and Sgt.Sajad on Board survived the crash with no scratch.
Blenheim Mk IV
Improved version, fitted with protective armour, powered by two 905 hp (675 kW) Bristol Mercury XV radial piston engines, armed with a 0.303 in (7.7 mm) machine gun in the port wing, plus two 0.303 in (7.7 mm) machine-guns in a powered operated dorsal turret, and two remotely controlled rearward-firing 0.303 in (7.7 mm) machine gun mounted beneath the nose, maximum bombload 1,000 lb (450 kg) internally and 320 lb (150 kg) externally. 3,307 built.
Bristol Blenheim Mk.IV
Crew: three
Length: 42 ft 7 in (12.98 m)
Wingspan: 56 ft 4 in (17.17 m)
Height: 9 ft 10 in (3.0 m)
Wing area: 469 ft² (43.6 m²)
Empty weight: 9,790 lb (4,450 kg)
Loaded weight: 14,400 lb (6,545 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × Bristol Mercury XV radial engine, 920 hp (690 kW) each
Propellers: Three-bladed Hamilton Standard propeller
Performance
Maximum speed: 266 mph (231 kn, 428 km/h at 11,800 ft (3,597 m))
Cruise speed: 198 mph (172.25 kn, 319 km/h)
Range: 1,460 mi (1,270 nmi, 2,351 km)
Service ceiling: 27,260 ft (8,310 m)
Rate of climb: 1,500 ft/min[citation needed] (7.6 m/s)
Wing loading: 30.7 lb/ft² (150 kg/m²)
Power/mass: 0.13 hp/lb (.21 kW/kg)
Nakajima N1KF Sakae-21
General characteristics
Type: 14-cylinder air-cooled two-row radial engine
Bore: 130 mm (5.1 in)
Stroke: 150 mm (5.9 in)
Displacement: 27.9 L (1,700 in³)
Length: 1,600 mm (63 in)
Diameter: 1,150 mm (45 in)
Dry weight: 590 kg (1,300 lb)
Components
Valvetrain: Overhead valve
Supercharger: Gear driven, two speed.
Fuel system: 2 BBL D.D. Float Carb. automatic mixture and boost control.
Fuel type: 92 Octane
Cooling system: Air-cooled
Performance
Power output: 842.64 kW (1130hp) at atitude
Specific power: 30.2 kW/L (0.66 hp/in³)
Compression ratio: 7:1
Power-to-weight ratio: 1.428 kW/kg (0.869 hp/lb)