'Last flying' Bristol Blenheim airborne at Duxford Published duration 23 May 2015 Related Topics World War Two

image caption The bomber has been worked on extensively over the last 12 years

A Bristol Blenheim bomber said to be the last one flying in the world is taking part in its first air show since its restoration.

The World War Two aeroplane will take to the skies at the VE Day Anniversary Air Show at the Imperial War Museum at Duxford in Cambridgeshire.

It has not flown since it crashed in August 2003 and has since been repaired and remodelled.

Owner and pilot John Romain said he had spent 26,000 hours on its restoration.

The RAF had more Blenheims in service than any other aircraft when World War Two began and this plane was built in 1939.

It was fully restored to flying condition in 1993 and took part in numerous air shows, films and television broadcasts before it crashed while attempting to land at the Duxford airfield in 2003.

The pilot and a crew member walked away unharmed.

image caption John Romain declined to say how much the restoration cost but it was "a few holidays' worth"

image caption Restorer John "Smudge" Smith described the bomber as "a lovely old machine"

John "Smudge" Smith, from the Aircraft Restoration Company in Duxford, helped restore the bomber.

He said: "It's the challenge of getting it back in the air using the old skills."

The aeroplane has been converted from a Mk IV to a Mk I, shortening its nose, as part of the restoration.

image caption The bomber "belly-flopped" during its crash in 2003 but is now fully repaired

The VE Day Anniversary Air Show will run over the weekend and will mark the 70th anniversary of VE Day.