BRISTOL TYPE 163 BUCKINGHAM
- The Bristol Buckingham was evolved during 1941 as a fast four-seat medium
bomber for day and night use, to the requirements of Specification B.2/41,
and four prototypes were ordered in July 1941. Two 2,400 hp Centaurus
IV engines were used and design armament comprised four 0.303-in (7.7-mm)
guns in Bristol B.XIV nose mounting with four more in a B.XII dorsal turret
and two in a ventral position; the bomb load was 4,000 Ib (1,816 kg).
Prototype first flown on February 4, 1943.
Bristol Buckingham B Mk I: First 54 of a pro-duction order for
400, first flown February 12, 1944, and all delivered in 1944 in bomber
configuration with 2,400 hp Centaurus VIII or XI engines. Did not become
operational.
Bristol Buckingham C Mk I: Seventy-five delivered as fast courier
transports, after requirement for bomber version dropped, and most of
the B Mk Is converted to this standard, with no armament or armour, seats
for four passengers and three crew, and fuel for 3,000-ml (4,827-km) range.
Few used by Transport Command Development Unit, 1945, but most put into
storage and then scrapped.
