Time Period: World War I
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Type: Biplane, Fighter Aircraft
Manufacturer: Bristol Aeroplane Company
Bristol M.1 Aircraft Overview
The Bristol Scout was a British single-seat biplane scout and reconnaissance aircraft designed by the Bristol Aeroplane Company during World War I. It was one of the most successful and influential aircraft of its time, and it played an important role in the development of military aviation.
The Scout had a wooden frame covered in fabric and was powered by a 80 horsepower Gnome rotary engine. It had a wingspan of 8.5 meters and a length of 6.4 meters. The aircraft was armed with a forward-firing machine gun and could carry a small bomb load for ground attack missions.
The Scout was designed for reconnaissance and observation duties, and it was particularly effective in this role due to its speed and maneuverability. The aircraft was also used for ground attack missions and was effective against enemy infantry and cavalry units.
The Scout was widely used by the British Royal Flying Corps and was also used by several other air forces during the war. It remained in service until the end of the war, and more than 1,500 Scout aircraft were produced between 1914 and 1918.
The Bristol Scout’s success helped establish the Bristol Aeroplane Company as one of the leading aircraft manufacturers in the world, and it contributed to the rapid development of aviation technology during this period. The Scout was also influential in the development of aircraft design, and it served as a template for many future aircraft designs.
Bristol M.1 Specifications
- Crew: 1
- Length: 20 ft 5 in (6.22 m)
- Wingspan: 30 ft 9 in (9.37 m)
- Height: 7 ft 9 in (2.36 m)
- Wing area: 145 sq ft (13.5 m2)
- Empty weight: 900 lb (408 kg)
- Gross weight: 1,348 lb (611 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Le Rhône 9J 9-cylinder air-cooled rotary piston engine, 110 hp (82 kW)
- Propellers: 2-bladed fixed-pitch propeller.
Bristol M.1 Performance
- Maximum speed: 130 mph (210 km/h, 110 kn) at sea level
- Range: 226 mi (364 km, 196 nmi)
- Endurance: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Service ceiling: 20,000 ft (6,100 m)
- Power/mass: 0.08 hp/lb (0.13 kW/kg)
Bristol M.1 Armament
- Guns: 1x fixed-forward .303 in (7.7 mm) Vickers machine gun.