Bristol Bullfinch
| Bullfinch | |
|---|---|
| |
| Bullfinch as single-seat monoplane (top) and as two-seat biplane | |
| Role | Fighter/Reconnaissance |
| Manufacturer | Bristol Aeroplane Company |
| Designer | Frank Barnwell |
| First flight | 6 November 1922 |
| Number built | 3 |
The Bristol Bullfinch was an experimental
parasol wing monoplanes and biplanes, but both versions proved unsuccessful, and only the three prototypes
were built.
Development
The Bullfinch was designed by
Specification 2/21) around Barnwell's proposed design, and ordered three prototypes in June 1921.[1]
The Bullfinch monoplane, or Type 52 Bullfinch Mk I, was a
centre of gravity
resulting from the weight of the observer and the lengthened fuselage.
The first prototype, a Type 52 monoplane, flew on 6 November 1922, with the second prototype, also a monoplane, flying in May 1923.[1] After first flying as a monoplane, the third prototype was converted to the biplane configuration, flying in that configuration on 17 March 1924. While the single-seater demonstrated reasonable performance, the two-seater was overweight, and proved incapable of carrying the required military load.[2] No further production occurred.
Variants
- Type 52 Bullfinch Mk I
- Single-seat parasol monoplane. Two built.
- Type 53 Bullfinch Mk II
- Two-seat biplane derivative. One built
Operators
Specifications (Bullfinch I)
Data from Bristol Aircraft Since 1910 [2]
General characteristics
- Crew: one (Bullfinch II): two
- Length: 24 ft 5 in (7.44 m) (Bullfinch II): 27 ft 6 in (8.38 m)
- Wingspan: 38 ft 5 in (11.71 m)
- Height: 10 ft 9 in (3.28 m)
- Wing area: 267 sq ft (24.8 m2) (Bullfinch II): 391 sq ft (36.33 m2)
- Empty weight: 2,175 lb (987 kg) (Bullfinch II): 2,495 lb (1,131.7 kg)
- Gross weight: 3,205 lb (1,454 kg) (Bullfinch II): 4,088 lb (1,854.3 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × IV9-cyl. air-cooled radial piston engine, 425 hp (317 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 135 mph (217 km/h, 117 kn) at 15,000 ft (4,600 m)
- (Bullfinch II): 120 mph (100 kn; 190 km/h) at 15,000 ft (4,600 m)
- Endurance: 4 hours
- Service ceiling: 22,000 ft (6,700 m) (Bullfinch II): 18,000 ft (5,500 m)
- Wing loading: 12 lb/sq ft (59 kg/m2) (Bullfinch II): 10.5 lb/sqft (51.27 kg/m2)
Armament
- 2 × fixed, forward-firing .303 in (7.7 mm) Vickers machine guns.
- (Bullfinch II): 1 × .303 in (7.7 mm) Lewis Gun on a Scarff ringin the rear cockpit.
- (Bullfinch II): 1 × .303 in (7.7 mm)
References
- ^ ISBN 1-55750-082-7.
- ^ a b c Barnes, C.H. (1964). Bristol Aircraft Since 1910 (1st ed.). London: Putnam.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bristol Bullfinch.