Blackburn Beagle

Blackburn · United Kingdom · first flew 1928 · bomber

The Blackburn B.T.1 Beagle was a British single-engine, two-seat biplane bomber and torpedo aircraft from 1928. Only one was built.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, swept
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	10.08 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

Single-bay biplane with staggered, slightly swept wings
Nine-cylinder Bristol Jupiter radial in a pointed nose cowling
Large rudder with a horn balance and small fin

The wings are staggered and slightly swept, and as the aircraft was not meant for carrier service they did not fold. The undercarriage is split to suit torpedo dropping, and the open cockpits place the pilot in front with the gunner close behind.

Specifications

The Blackburn Beagle has a length of 10.08 m (33 ft).
It has a wingspan of 13.86 m (45 ft).
Its maximum speed is 225 km/h (140 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

It was designed to Air Ministry specification 24/25 for a high-altitude bomber, later modified to meet specification 23/25 for a day bomber, reconnaissance and torpedo aircraft. It first flew at Brough on 18 February 1928, piloted by W.S. Bulman.

Variants

Only one Beagle was built. It first had a 460 hp Bristol Jupiter VIIIF and was later re-engined with a supercharged 590 hp Jupiter XF.

Where you'll see it

It went to RAF Martlesham Heath for trials in July 1929 against the Gloster Goring, Handley Page Hare, Hawker Harrier and Westland Witch. The Vickers Vildebeest was chosen for the torpedo bomber requirement, and the Beagle remained operational until October 1933.

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