Blackburn Botha
- Maritime Patrol Aircraft
- Torpedo Bomber
The Blackburn B-26 Botha has been developed in the same tender for a maritime patrol aircraft and torpedo bomber of the British Air Ministry as the Bristol Beaufort down. Just as the competitor had the pattern from the beginning to struggle with engine trouble; However, in contrast to the Beaufort they could not be solved, which ultimately led to the withdrawal of the aircraft.
Since the actually provided Bristol Taurus engines with 1,146 horsepower were not available, had in the first series machines, the Perseus X engines are built by the same manufacturer with only 892 hp. The first flight took place on 28 December 1938 after some changes, it came on 12 December 1939 entry into service.
The use of the pattern from the beginning was a failure - came to the problems with the engines still unexplained crashes. Also, an increase in performance of the Perseus engines to 944 hp could not make the front fit the pattern.
No later than 1942, the last Botha were handed over to the flight schools, 1944, the last aircraft were retired.