Bristol Bulldog
Bristol Aeroplane Company · United Kingdom · first flew 1927 · fighter
The Bristol Bulldog was the standard RAF fighter biplane of the late 1920s and early 1930s, equipping more than half of the service's fighter squadrons at its peak. Its uncowled Bristol Jupiter radial and compact airframe made it a familiar sight at airshows throughout the period.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Short squat fuselage with Vickers guns ahead of cockpit |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- RAF's principal fighter biplane of the late 1920s-early 1930s
- Bristol Jupiter radial engine without a ring cowling
- Short squat fuselage with Vickers guns ahead of cockpit
A compact single-seat biplane with an unequal-span structure and a large Jupiter radial mounted without a ring cowling, exposing the cylinder heads. The twin Vickers guns are mounted in humps ahead of the cockpit, and the wheel covers have distinctive fairings.
Specifications
- The Bristol Bulldog has a length of 7.67 m (25 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.3 m (34 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 280 km/h (174 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Entering RAF service in 1929, the Bulldog Mk II and Mk IIA equipped ten RAF fighter squadrons and was also exported to Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Australia, and several other nations. The Finnish Bulldogs saw combat against the Soviet Union during the Winter War of 1939-40.
Variants
The Mk I was the prototype; the Mk II was the initial production version; the Mk IIA introduced a strengthened airframe and minor improvements. A two-seat trainer variant, the Mk IVA, was also produced.
Where you'll see it
The Bulldog served extensively with the RAF from 1929 to 1937 and with numerous export customers. Finnish Bulldogs fought in the Winter War, and some export machines remained in service into World War II.
Related aircraft
- Bristol Tourer
- Bristol Type 32 Bullet
- Bristol Babe
- Bristol Bombay
- Arado SD I
- Avia BH-26
- Avia BH-27
- Avia BH-29
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