Remarks by Chris
Pinn: "This photo shows Blackburn Botha W5065 in pristine
'end of line' condition before being delivered to the No. 3 School of
General Reconnaissance at Squire's Gate, Blackpool. The Botha was
designed to the same specification as the highly successful Bristol
Beaufort, however the Botha is remembered as being an extremely bad
aircraft which is rather unfair.
Both aircraft were roughly the same
size and weight, but the Beaufort was fitted with the Bristol Taurus
which delivered about 300 hp more than the Perseus engines fitted to
the Botha. Unfortunately there were not enough Taurus engines to meet
demand, so the Botha had to make do with the inadequate power of the Perseus."
View also photo 9939.
