Bristol Beaufort Aircraft

Production Details

Design Company:

The Bristol Aeroplane Co Ltd, Filton, Bristol and Banwell, Somerset

First Flight:

15 October 1938

Beaufort I:

1014 - Bristol Aeroplane Co

Beaufort II:

166 - Bristol Aeroplane Co

Beaufort T.II:

249 - Bristol Aeroplane Co

Beaufort V:

80 - Australia

Beaufort VI:

40 - Australia

Beaufort VII:

60 - Australia

Beaufort VIII:

520 - Australia

Type Specification

Applies to:

Bristol 152 Beaufort I

Type:

Medium bomber, reconnaissance or general purposes monoplane

Wing:

Mid wing cantilever monoplane. Structure consists of two spars, former ribs and stressed skin covering

Fuselage:

Oval section monocoque. Structure comprises formers, stringers of extruded angles and a smooth flush riveted skin

Tail Unit:

Cantilever monoplane type. Fin and tailplane constructed mainly of Alclad. Rudder and elevators have metal structure and fabric covering

Landing Gear:

Retractable type. Mainwheels carried between pairs of legs and are retracted backwards into engine nacelles. Tailwheel retracts forwards into recess in fuselage

Power Plant:

Two Bristol Taurus VI fourteen cylinder sleeve valve radial air cooled engines, each rated at 1,130 hp. De Havilland constant speed airscrews

Accommodation:

Crew of four, comprising pilot, bomb aimer-navigator, radio operator and rear gunner

Armament:

Two 0.303 in fixed forward firing machine guns on forward fuselage and two 0.303 in machine guns in turret amidships. Internal stowage for 1,000 lb bombs in lower portion of fuselage

Span:

58 ft

Length:

44 ft 7 in

Height:

12 ft 5 in

Wing Area:

503 sq ft

Empty:

11,910 lb

Loaded:

17,030 lb

Max Speed:

225 mph at sea level

Rate of Climb:

1,150 ft min

Service Ceiling:

22,500 ft

Nominal Range:

1,450 miles

Preserved in British Museums

Beaufort VIII:

DD931 - Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon - Display

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