Boulton & Paul P.3 Bobolink
Boulton & Paul · United Kingdom · first flew 1918 · fighter
The Boulton & Paul Bobolink was a British single-seat biplane fighter prototype of the final year of World War I, designed to meet an RFC requirement for a Camel replacement. It lost the competition to the Sopwith Snipe and did not enter production.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.1 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
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Spot it by:
- British WWI single-seat biplane fighter prototype
- Competed unsuccessfully against the Sopwith Snipe
- Compact radial-engined design from Boulton & Paul
A compact WWI-style single-bay biplane with a radial engine, fixed undercarriage with centre-section cutout, and the typical angular fuselage of British fighters of the period — smaller than the SE.5a but similar in concept.
Specifications
- The Boulton & Paul P.3 Bobolink has a length of 6.1 m (20 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 8.84 m (29 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 201 km/h (125 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Built in 1918, the Bobolink competed in the same requirement that produced the Sopwith Snipe. Although it demonstrated acceptable performance, the Snipe was preferred and the Bobolink programme was abandoned as the war ended.
Variants
A single prototype only was completed.
Where you'll see it
Never entered service; the sole prototype was evaluated and rejected.
Related aircraft
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