Bristol Babe

Bristol Aeroplane Company · United Kingdom · first flew 1919 · light aircraft

The Bristol Babe was a tiny British single-seat biplane produced by the Bristol Aeroplane Company in 1919 as an ultra-light sport and racing aircraft. Despite its diminutive size, it was fast and agile.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, straight
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	4.55 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Tiny British single-seat postwar biplane
Built as a racing and sport aircraft
Bristol's smallest aircraft design

Exceptionally small biplane with closely spaced wings, tiny dimensions, and a large-appearing radial engine cowling relative to the fuselage. The very small wingspan and overall dimensions are immediately apparent.

Specifications

The Bristol Babe has a length of 4.55 m (15 ft).
It has a wingspan of 6 m (20 ft).
Its maximum speed is 172 km/h (107 mph).
Typical crew: 1.

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

History

Bristol built the Babe to explore the market for small personal aircraft in the immediate post-WWI period. With a wingspan of only 6 metres it was extremely compact. Two examples were built; one was entered in early postwar air races. The design did not lead to production but demonstrated Bristol's versatility as a manufacturer. The Babe was powered by a small Lucifer or similar light engine.

Variants

Two aircraft were built, with minor differences. The design remained a one-off exercise and was not developed further.

Where you'll see it

Used privately for racing and sport flying in the United Kingdom in the early 1920s. Not adopted for any military or commercial use.

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