Bristol Tourer
Bristol Aeroplane Company · United Kingdom · first flew 1920 · airliner
The Bristol Tourer was an early British commercial biplane airliner of the 1920s designed to carry passengers and cargo on short cross-Channel routes. Its enclosed cabin was a notable comfort feature for its era.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.95 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- 1920s biplane airliner with enclosed cabin
- Two radial engines on lower wing
- Early British short-haul commercial biplane
A two-bay biplane with a slab-sided, box-like fuselage housing an enclosed passenger cabin; twin engines on the lower wing strutted below the upper wing are the key distinguishing feature.
Specifications
- The Bristol Tourer has a length of 7.95 m (26 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12.01 m (39 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 193 km/h (120 mph).
- Typical crew: 1, up to 8 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The Tourer entered service with British airlines including Instone Air Line and was used on early cross-Channel services from 1920. It represented one of the first practical enclosed-cabin airliners in British service, competing on the lucrative London–Paris route during the early years of commercial aviation.
Variants
Several marks were produced with minor engine and airframe changes; a military variant was also supplied.
Where you'll see it
Operated by early British airlines in the 1920s on European routes; now only preserved examples exist.
Related aircraft
- Bristol Type 32 Bullet
- Bristol Babe
- Bristol Braemar
- Bristol Scout F
- Airco DH.18
- Avro 547
- Blériot 71
- Blériot-SPAD S.33
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