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Bristol Buckingham

1943 WORLD WAR 2

History of Bristol Buckingham

On the eve of World War II, the British authorities tried to remove important constraints from their arsenal, which meant considering many new products. Ultimately, specification B. 7/40 called for a medium bomb platform to replace the aging Bristol Blenheim, with the development and production of aircraft based on existing designs preferred. Top speed is 300 mph with a 1,000 lb bomb load. The aircraft will perform medium bomber, general battlefield support and duty dive bomber duties.

Bristol Aircraft Company stepped in to meet the requirements and eventually produced the Type 61, which then evolved into the Type 162 "Beaumont" design.

Bristol engineers retained the rear (including tail) of the Bristol Baufighter, which was originally a two-seat heavy twin-engine fighter that first flew in July 1939, all modified for the medium bomber role. Defensive armament consisted of a machine-gun-armed dorsal turret, a rear-mounted machine-gun turret and fixed front-firing machine guns.

The British Department of Aeronautics was very interested in the design, ordering additional work on the type including three airworthy prototypes. By this time Britain was fully committed to a new world war in Europe and needed all war supplies as soon as possible.

Due to the fluidity of warfare and changing requirements in 1941, the Type 162 was modified to the Type 163, known as "Buckingham", to meet the requirements of the revised specification B.2/41. The fuselage was no longer required for the dive-bombing effect, which added various stresses to the structure, and instead focused primarily on the bombing effect of the aircraft. Also, aware of the rapidly changing direction of warfare, the authorities needed a more modern platform with more impressive capabilities.

It is now envisaged that the new medium bomber could carry up to 4,000 pounds of ammunition (internally) at a range of 1,600 miles at 360 miles per hour.

Bristol engineers returned with an aircraft that received a new wing main aircraft, also powered by Bristol Centaur engines. A dorsal turret was fitted with 4 machine guns, while 2 additional machine guns were used in the rear position to protect the aircraft's more vulnerable "six". 4 x machine guns are mounted in fixed forward positions on the hull. The crew will include a pilot and a bombardier, the latter of which will be located in the middle of the aircraft, as well as a dedicated gunner. The first flight of the completed Type 163 prototype was finally recorded on February 4, 1943.

This beta period forced additional changes due to stability issues encountered. Four prototypes were eventually built, which were equipped with Centaurus IV series engines.

Production of the Buckingham B. Mk 1 was ramped up in 1943 and continued until 1945, with the engines being either Centaurus VI or XI series engines. The original order was for 400, but it was later reduced to 300 and eventually 119. This quick move to limit the number is mainly due to the limited functionality of the design compared to its contemporaries. The American designed aircraft in British service also functioned well as medium bombers, while other more powerful mounts were used for night bombing and invasion campaigns to keep pressure on the German war machine.

Too slow for the role of a heavy fighter, Buckingham is vulnerable to any day work, while lacking the equipment and power for low light and night work. Furthermore, even after reaching the operational state, its control problem persists.

However, the commitment to Buckingham has been made. The first 54 were completed to medium bomber standards, while the rest of the total production was delivered as high-speed express transports. The latter became the Buckingham C. Mk 1 and were stripped of their weapons and armor for speed, while gaining larger fuel tanks for range and seating for up to four passengers.

The total production of the C. Mk 1 aircraft was 64.

Some bomber models were also "reconstructed" as trainers, designated Type 166 "Buckmaster". The Type 169 was a proposed photographic reconnaissance platform, which was unsuccessful.

The Type 164 Bandit was the torpedo bomber branch of the Buckingham series, producing its own two main brands (bombers and trainers). These retained the Buckingham wings and tail, but were given new fuselage and battlefield roles.

The production of this type was 147, but it was introduced after the war in 1946.