Bristol Boarhound
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| Boarhound | |
|---|---|
 Boarhound I |
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| Type | Army co-operation |
| Manufacturer | Bristol |
| Designed by | Frank Barnwell |
| Maiden flight | 8 June 1925 |
| Introduction | 1928 |
| Primary user | Mexico |
| Number built | 4 |
The Bristol Boarhound was a British army co-operation and liaison aircraft of the 1920s. It was a two-seater biplane with wings of equal span, of steel frame with fabric covering.
Contents |
[edit] Design and development
The Boarhound was built as a private venture to an Air Ministry Specification 8/24 (later superseded by Specification 20/25) for an Army co-operation aircraft to replace the Bristol F.2, first flying on 8 June 1925[1] as the Type 93 Boarhound.
The Boarhound was a two bay biplane designed by Captain Frank Barnwell in 1924, using a method of steel construction which involved high tensile steel strips, rolled into cusped and flanged sections, which were riveted together to form longerons and struts. The resulting structure was lighter and stronger than one made from drawn tubes and very much cheaper. It had a deep fuselage allowing bulky radio and camera equipment to be carried,[2] and was powered by a Bristol Jupiter IV engine with variable timing.
The Boarhound was evaluated alongside the Armstrong Whitworth Atlas, de Havilland Hyena and Vickers Vespa. The Jupiter's the variable timing gear gave poorer power at low altitudes, a disadavantage for an army co-operation aircraft, and the Atlas was considered superior.[2]
The Directors of Bristol decided, however, to continue development of the aircraft as a private venture for a General Purpose bomber to replace the Airco DH.9A. A second aircraft was therefore built, the Type 93A Beaver, flying on 23 February 1927. This was rejected in favour of the Fairey IIIF, which used the preferred Napier Lion engine, of which large numbers were in store.
The Boarhound I (registered G-EBLG) and the Beaver (registered G-EBQF) were withdrawn from use at Filton Aerodrome in April 1927.[3]
A further two aircraft were produced as reconnaissance fighters as the 'Type 93B Boarhound II.[2]
[edit] Operational history
The two Boarhound IIs were sold to Mexico in 1928, these being used against rebel forces in April 1929.[2] The Boarhounds proved successful in Mexican service, their metal structure proving suitable for the climate.
[edit] Variants
- Type 93 Boarhound
- Army Co-operation Aircraft, powered by Jupiter IV engine. One built
- Type 93A Beaver
- General Purpose Aircraft. One built.
- Type 93B Boarhound II
- Fighter-reconnaissance aircraft for Mexico, powered by 450 hp Jupiter VI engine. Two built.
[edit] Operators
[edit] Specifications (Boarhound I)
Data from Bristol Aircraft Since 1910 [2]
General characteristics
- Crew: Two, pilot and observer
- Length: 31 ft 6 in (9.60 m)
- Wingspan: 44 ft 9 in (13.64 m)
- Height: 11 ft 8 in (3.56 m)
- Wing area: 464 ft² (43.1 m²)
- Empty weight: 2,900 lb (1,318 kg)
- Loaded weight: 4,460 lb (2,027 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Bristol Jupiter IV radial engine, 425 hp (317 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 117 knots (135 mph, 217 km/h)
- Service ceiling 22,000 ft (6,700 m)
- Wing loading: 9.61 lb/ft² (47.0 kg/m²)
- Power/mass: 0.095 hp/lb (0.16 kW/kg)
- Endurance: 3 hours
- Climb to 10,000 ft (3,050 m): 10 min 38 sec [1]
Armament
- One forward-firing .303 (7.7mm) Vickers machine gun on side of fuselage
- One Lewis gun on Scarff ring (observer)
- Two 112 lb (50 kg) bombs
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b Mason, Francis K (1994). The British Bomber since 1914. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books. ISBN 0 85177 861 5.
- ^ a b c d e Barnes, C.H. (1964). Bristol Aircraft Since 1910. London: Putnam.
- ^ Jackson, A.J. (1973). British Civil Aircraft since 1919 (Volume I). London: Putnam. ISBN 0 370 10006 9.
[edit] References
- Donald, David, and Lake, Jon, eds. Encyclopedia of World Military Aircraft. London: AIRtime Publishing, 1996. ISBN 1-880588-24-2.
[edit] External links
[edit] See also
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