Bristol Coanda Monoplanes
Template:Infobox Aircraft The Bristol Coanda Monoplanes were a series of monoplane trainer aircraft designed by the Romanian designer Henri Coandă for the British company Bristol.
Development and design
The Romanian aircraft designer Henri Coandă joined the Bristol Aeroplane Company in January 1912. His first design for Bristol was a two seat monoplane trainer, a development of the Bristol Prier Monoplane, controlled by wing warping. The first prototype flew in March 1912 [1]. A series of similar aircraft followed with both tandem and side-by-side cockpits, known as the School Monoplane and the Side by Side Monoplane.
A more powerful derivative was built for a competition to provide aircraft for the British War Office. Two aircraft, known as Competition Monoplanes were built and entered into the competion, together with two Bristol Gordon England Biplanes. These did well in the competion, which resulted in them being purchased by the War Office for use as trainers by the Royal Flying Corps[1]. These two aircraft formed the basis for a revised military trainer, the Military Monoplane, which had increased wingspan.
The Military Monoplane later formed the basis for the Bristol TB.8, several being rebuilt into TB8s.
Operational history
The first School and Side by Side monoplanes entered service with flying schools ran by Bristol at Larkhill and Brooklands. One tandem and two side by side machines were sold to Italy, with four tandem and three side-by side aircraft being sold to Romania.
The two Competion Monoplanes were purchased by the War Office after the Military Aircraft Competion, being used as trainers for the RFC. However, on 10 September 1912, one of the Competion Monoplanes crashed, killing both crew[2]. While this was traced to one of the bracing wires becoming detached, it resulted in a five month ban of flying of all monoplanes by the military wing of the RFC [1].
Despite this ban, Military Monoplanes were purchased by Romania and Italy, with a production license being granted to Caproni (although this license was later cancelled, only two being built by Caproni)[1].
Variants
- School Monoplane
- Trainer aircraft with tandem cockpits. Powered by 50 hp Gnome engine. Six built.
- Side by Side Monoplane
- Trainer aircraft with side-by-side cockpit. Powered by 50 hp Gnome engine. Six built.
- Competition Monoplane
- Two aircraft built for War Office Military Aeroplane Competion. Powered by 80 hp Gnome engine.
- Daimler Monoplane
- Single aircraft powered by 70 hp Daimler engine. Overweight and unsucessful.
- Military Monoplane
- Improved devlopment of Competion Monoplane with increased wingspan. Powered by 80 hp Gnome engine. 21 built.
Operators
Survivors
A single Bristol Coanda Monoplane survives, in the Gianni Caproni Air Museum, Trento, Italy, being the oldest surviving Britol aircraft still in existence. This aircraft was a pattern aircraft sent to Caproni as a basis for their licenced production [3], never being flown, but was restored to a complete example for display at the museum[4].
Specifications (Military)
Data from Bristol Aircraft Since 1910 [1]
General characteristics
- Crew: Two
Performance
References
- ^ a b c d e Barnes, C.H. (1964). Bristol Aircraft Since 1910. London: Putnam.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|Edition=ignored (|edition=suggested) (help) - ^ "RAF Museum". Retrieved 2007-07-19.
- ^ "The Pioneers : An Anthology : Sir Stanley White and his Bristol Aeroplanes 1910 - 1918". Retrieved 2007-07-19.
- ^ "Museo G. Caproni - aeronautica, scienza e innovazione" (in Italian). Retrieved 2007-07-19.
External links
British Aircraft Directory
Virtual Aircraft Museum
Related content
Related development Bristol TB.8