| B.26 Botha | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Blackburn B.26 Botha | |
| General information | |
| Type | Torpedo bomber |
| Manufacturer | Blackburn Aircraft |
| Primary user | Royal Air Force |
| Number built | 580 |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 12 December 1939 |
| First flight | 28 December 1938 |
| Retired | September 1944 |
The Blackburn B.26 Botha was a four-seat reconnaissance and torpedo bomber. It was produced by the British aviation company Blackburn Aircraft at its factories at Brough and Dumbarton.
The Botha was developed during the mid 1930s in response to Air Ministry Specification M.15/35, and was ordered straight off the drawing board alongside the competing Bristol Beaufort. On 28 December 1938, the first production aircraft made the type's maiden flight; almost exactly one year later, it entered service with the RAF. During official evaluation testing of the Botha, stability issues were revealed, as well as the fact that it was underpowered. It was only briefly used in frontline operations before being withdrawn to secondary roles during 1941. It continued to be flown in these roles, largely being used for training and as a target tug, before being fully withdrawn in September 1944.