BRISTOL BOMBAY

BRISTOL TYPE 130 BOMBAY - Design of the Bristol Bombay was initiated by Frank Barnwell to meet the requirements of Specification C.26/31 for a bomber/ transport to carry up to 24 equipped troops or bombs and primarily intended for service in the Middle and Far East. A prototype first flew on June 23, 1935, and 50 production Bristol Bombay Is were built to Specification 47/36 by Short and Harland Ltd in Belfast, with 1,010 hp Pegasus XXII engines and a single Vickers 'K' 0.303-in (7.7-mm) gun each in Bristol nose and tail turrets. Deliveries to No 216 Sqn, RAF, began in September 1939 and three other squadrons also flew the type on bomber, transport and casevac duties, chiefly in the Middle East in 1940-41. Declared obsolete 1944.

Max speed, 192 mph (309 km/h). Service ceil-ing, 25,000 ft (7,620 m). Range, 2,230 mis (3,588 km). Empty weight, 13,800 Ib (6,265 kg). Gross weight, 20,000 Ib (9,080 kg). Span, 95ft 9 in (29.18 m). Length, 69ft 3 in (21.10 m). Wing area, 1,340 sqft (124.5 m2).