Bristol Bulldog

The prototype Bristol Bulldog first flew in 1927, and the Bulldog Mk II entered service with the Royal Air Force in 1929. The aircraft became the most widely-used day and night fighter of its time, and attracted the attention of Latvia, Japan, Siam, Sweden, Estonia, Finland and America.

In February 1930, eight Bulldog IIs arrived in Australia in the SS Fordsdale, and acceptance tests were carried out at Point Cook in May. On 9 May, Flying Officer C. Henry won the Victorian Aerial Derby at 183 mph, and a few days later, Flying Officer W. G. Rae escaped by parachute when the wing of a Bulldog collapsed while he was performing an outside loop. The Bulldog soon became a firm favourite at aerial pageants, where its aerobatic prowess was capably demonstrated by pilots of the calibre of Flight Lieutenant F.R. Scherger, later to become RAAF Chief of Air Staff.

During the early thirties, the Bulldogs formed the fighter squadron at Point Cook. In March 1932, a flight of Bulldogs flew to Darwin to co-operate with the RAF flying boats of No 205 Squadron from Singapore.

In 1940, the three surviving RAAF Bulldogs were converted to instructional airframes, and were scrapped during World War II.

TECHNICAL DATA: Bristol Bulldog

DESCRIPTION

Single-seat day and night fighter. All metal with fabric covering.

POWER PLANT:

One 450 hp Bristol Jupiter VIF.

DIMENSIONS:

Span 10.31 m (33ft 11in); Length 7.67 m (25ft 2 in); Height 2.67 m (8ft 9in).

WEIGHTS:

Empty, 1008 kg; loaded 1601 kg.

ARMAMENT:

Twin synchronised Vickers machine-guns; Four 9 kg bombs.

PERFORMANCE:

Speed 280 km/h (151 kt); Service ceiling 29,300ft (8930 m); Climb, 14.5 mins to 20,000ft (6096 m); Range 483 km (260 nm). Back to top

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