Blackburn Aircraft

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

Company type	Private company
Industry	Aerospace, Aircraft manufacturing, Aircraft engines
Founded	1914
Founder	Robert Blackburn, Jessy Blackburn
Defunct	1963
Fate	Merged into Hawker Siddeley (aircraft division) and Bristol Siddeley (engine division)
Headquarters	Leeds, East Riding of Yorkshire, Dumbarton , United Kingdom
Area served	United Kingdom, United States, North and South America (excluding Brazil)
Key people	Robert Blackburn (founder), Norman Blackburn (managing director), Maurice Denny (partner)
Products	Naval and maritime aircraft, aircraft engines (Blackburn Cirrus)
Parent	None (merged into Hawker Siddeley and Bristol Siddeley)

Blackburn Aircraft Limited was a British aircraft manufacturer operational from 1914 until 1963, primarily specializing in naval and maritime aviation.

History

The company was established by aviation pioneer Robert Blackburn alongside Jessy Blackburn, who constructed his inaugural aircraft in Leeds in 1908. The firm's Olympia Works facility at Roundhay commenced operations in 1914.

In 1914, the Blackburn Aeroplane & Motor Company came into existence and, by 1916, had set up a new manufacturing plant at Brough in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Robert Blackburn’s brother, Norman Blackburn, eventually took on the role of managing director.

In 1934, Blackburn expanded into aircraft engine production by acquiring the Cirrus-Hermes Engineering company. Although development of a new engine series was underway, Blackburn chose to maintain Cirrus Hermes Engineering as a distinct entity temporarily, postponing the use of its own name until the updated engines were fully established.

The company officially adopted the name Blackburn Aircraft Limited in 1936.

By 1937, with the Cirrus engines firmly established, engine manufacturing was integrated into Blackburn as a dedicated division, leading to the creation of the Blackburn Cirrus brand.

As rearmament pressures intensified by 1937 and the Yorkshire facility neared full capacity, a strategic partnership between Robert Blackburn and Maurice Denny, managing director of shipbuilders William Denny and Brothers in Dumbarton, facilitated the construction of a new Blackburn factory at Barge Park, Dumbarton. This site began producing the Blackburn Botha aircraft in 1939.

In 1949, Blackburn merged with General Aircraft Limited to form Blackburn and General Aircraft Limited. The company reverted to its original name, Blackburn Aircraft Limited, by 1958.

During the consolidation of British aerospace manufacturers, Blackburn’s aircraft production was integrated into Hawker Siddeley, while its engine division merged with Bristol Siddeley around 1960–1961. The Blackburn brand ceased to exist entirely by 1963.

In the United States, Blackburn Aircraft Corp. was incorporated in Detroit on 20 May 1929 to acquire design and patent rights for Blackburn Airplane & Motor Co., Ltd.’s aircraft within the US market. Ownership was split with 90% held by Detroit Aircraft Corp. and 10% by Blackburn Airplane & Motor Co., Ltd. The agreement covered rights across North and South America—excluding Brazil—and specific rights in Canada. Additionally, all specialized tools and manufacturing patterns were provided by the UK company at cost.

Locations

The company operated manufacturing facilities in several locations, including Olympia in Leeds, Sherburn-in-Elmet, Brough in East Yorkshire, and Dumbarton. During its initial phase, Blackburn himself piloted aircraft along the beaches at Marske and Filey. Additionally, the company utilized the former RAF Holme-on-Spalding Moor airfield. Prior to relocating production from the Leeds site to Sherburn-in-Elmet and Brough, aircraft were transported to and from the Olympia works using a nearby airstrip situated within Roundhay Park.

Aircraft

File:Blackburn beverley in 1964 arp.jpg

The Blackburn Beverley in a 1964 photograph. This model functioned as a heavy lift transport for the RAF between 1955 and 1967, with a total of 47 units constructed.

• Blackburn First Monoplane (1909) – A high-wing monoplane powered by a single engine, designed for one pilot.
• Blackburn Second Monoplane (1911) – Mid-wing monoplane featuring a single engine.
• Blackburn Mercury (1911) – Two-seat mid-wing monoplane trainer with a single engine.
• Blackburn Type B (1912) – An evolution of the Mercury; a two-seat mid-wing monoplane with a single engine intended for training.
• Blackburn Type D (1912) – Single-seat mid-wing monoplane powered by one engine; maintained in flying condition by the Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden and recognized as the oldest British-built aircraft still operational.
• Blackburn Type E (1912) – Metal-framed mid-wing monoplanes with single engines; produced in both single-seat and two-seat configurations.
• Blackburn Type I (1913) – A versatile mid-wing monoplane with one engine, configured for either land or sea operations and seating half a pilot.
• Blackburn Type L (1914) – Two-seat biplane seaplane driven by a single engine.
• AD Scout (1915) – Admiralty-designed, single-seat pusher anti-Zeppelin aircraft powered by one engine; built in pairs by Blackburn and Hewlett & Blondeau respectively.
• Blackburn Twin Blackburn (1915) – Twin-fuselage seaplane equipped with two engines and two seats, designed for anti-Zeppelin missions.
• Blackburn General Purpose (1916) – A three-seat biplane seaplane with twin engines used for anti-submarine patrols and bombing.
• Blackburn Triplane (1916) – A triplane variant of the Scout designed by Blackburn.
• Blackburn White Falcon (1916) – Mid-wing monoplane with two seats and a single engine.
• Blackburn R.T.1 Kangaroo (1918) – Three-seat biplane reconnaissance and torpedo bomber powered by two engines.
• Blackburn N.1B (1918) – Single-seat biplane flying boat escort bomber; construction commenced but never completed or flown.
• Blackburn Blackburd (1918) – Torpedo bomber biplane with single engine and seat.
• Blackburn Sidecar (1919) – Ultra-light mid-wing monoplane with two seats and one engine; its flight status is uncertain.
• Blackburn T.1 Swift (1920) – Single-engine floatplane torpedo bomber designed for one pilot.
• Blackburn T.2 Dart (1921) – Single-engine biplane torpedo bomber seating one person.
• Alula D.H.6 (1921) – Experimental aircraft utilizing an Airco DH.6 fuselage to test the Alula wing concept.
• Alula Semiquaver (1921) – Conversion of Martinsyde Semiquaver featuring an Alula wing and powered by a single engine.
• Blackburn R.1 Blackburn (1922) – Naval spotter and reconnaissance three-seat biplane with one engine.
• Blackburn Pellet (1923) – Schneider Trophy racing biplane with single seat and engine.
• Blackburn Bluebird (1924) – Two-seat training and touring biplane powered by one engine.
• Blackburn T.4 Cubaroo (1924) – Large four-seat biplane torpedo bomber driven by a single engine.
• Blackburn T.3 Velos (1925) – Two-seat bomber floatplane biplane with one engine.
• Blackburn R.2 Airedale (1925) – High-wing monoplane reconnaissance aircraft seating three, powered by a single engine.
• Blackburn T.5 Ripon (1926) – Two-seat reconnaissance and torpedo bomber biplane equipped with one engine.
• Blackburn Sprat (1926) – Advanced trainer biplane with two seats and a single engine.
• Blackburn R.B.1 Iris (1926) – Five-seat three-engine flying boat biplane.
• Blackburn F.1 Turcock (1928) – Fighter aircraft featuring a single engine.
• Blackburn F.2 Lincock (1928) – Single-engine, single-seat fighter biplane.
• Blackburn Beagle (1928) – Two-seat biplane bomber powered by one engine.
• Blackburn Bluebird IV (1929) – Training and touring biplane accommodating two occupants, with a single powerplant.
• Blackburn 2F.1 Nautilus (1929) – Two-seat fighter biplane equipped with one engine.
• Blackburn T.7B (1929) – Three-seat bomber/reconnaissance prototype biplane for the Japanese Navy; basis for Mitsubishi B2M production model.
• Blackburn R.B.2 Sydney (1930) – Long-range four-seat parasol-wing flying boat with three engines.
• Blackburn C.B.2 Nile (1930) – Cargo transport parasol-wing variant of Sydney featuring three engines and two seats.
• Blackburn B-1 Segrave (1930) – Low-wing touring monoplane seating four, powered by twin engines.
• Blackburn C.A.15C (1932) – Ten-passenger airliner available as high-wing monoplane or biplane, utilizing twin engines.
• Blackburn T.8 Baffin (1932) – Two-seat torpedo bomber biplane driven by a single engine.
• Blackburn B-2 (1932) – Training aircraft biplane with two seats and one powerplant.
• Blackburn B-3 M.1/30 (1932) – Naval torpedo bomber biplane carrying two crew members, powered by one engine.
• Blackburn B-5 Baffin (1932)
• Blackburn R.B.3 Perth (1933) – Five-seat flying boat biplane equipped with three engines.
• Blackburn T.9 Shark (1933) – Carrier-based three-seat torpedo bomber biplane powered by a single engine; related to prototype Blackburn B-6 Shark.
• Blackburn F.3 (1934) – Single-engine, single-seat fighter biplane constructed but never flown.
• Blackburn B-7 (1934) – General-purpose biplane model.
• Blackburn H.S.T.10 (B-9) (1936) – Twin-engine low-wing monoplane airliner designed for twelve passengers; built but did not fly.
• Blackburn Skua (1937) – Designated B-24; low-wing naval fighter/dive bomber monoplane with two seats and one engine.
• Blackburn Roc (1938) – Known as B-25; naval fighter/dive bomber monoplane featuring rear turret; detailed design and construction handled by Boulton Paul Aircraft; powered by a single engine with two seats in low-wing configuration.
• Blackburn Botha (1938) – Referred to as B-36; high-wing reconnaissance/torpedo bomber and crew trainer accommodating four personnel, powered by twin engines.
• Blackburn B-29: Proposed naval torpedo-bomber reconnaissance aircraft responding to Specification S.24/37 which led to Fairey Barracuda; only mock-up stage reached without flight testing.
• Blackburn B-20 (1940) – Experimental six-seat flying boat monoplane featuring twin engines and retractable hull developed under Air Ministry specification R1/36.
• Blackburn Firebrand series:
  • B-37 Firebrand introduced in 1942: Single-engine, single-pilot propeller-driven naval fighter
  • Subsequent developments include:
    • B-40: Planned evolution of B-20 design under specification R.13/40 but cancelled
    • B-44: Flying boat fighter powered by a single engine
    • B-45 Firebrand: Naval strike fighter derivative of B-37 introduced in 1942
    • B-46 Firebrand: Further development of B-45 version introduced post-war
  • Blackburn Firecrest Y.A.1/B-48 introduced in 1947: Single-engine propeller naval strike fighter seating one pilot
• Blackburn B-50: Conceptualized post-war Fleet Air Arm strike fighter powered by Nene turbojet; not constructed
• Blackburn B-52: Proposed advanced trainer meeting Specification T.7/45; remained unbuilt
• Blackburn B-67: Naval fighter design proposal under specification N40/46 from 1947; not realized
• Blackburn B-68: Another naval fighter concept from 1946 left unbuilt
• Blackburn B-71: Flexible deck landing adaptation of the B-67 proposed in 1947 but not produced
• Blackburn B-74: Naval fighter concept from 1947 that was never built
• Blackburn B-54 series Y.A.5/Y.A.7/Y.A.8 introduced in 1949: Two-seat naval anti-submarine aircraft featuring contra-rotating propellers driven by piston engines
• Blackburn B-82: Naval fighter design proposal responding to specification N.14/49 from 1949; unconstructed
• Blackburn B-88 Y.B.1 introduced in 1950: Naval anti-submarine aircraft powered by a turboprop driving contra-rotating propellers, seating two crew members
• Blackburn B-89: Submission for naval fighter under specification N.114T from 1951; not built
• Blackburn B-90: Experimental swing wing aircraft proposal responding to ER.110T specification from 1951; remained unbuilt
• Blackburn B-94: Flexible deck landing variant of the unbuilt B-90 proposed in 1951
• Handley Page HP.88 aka Blackburn Y.B.2 from 1951: Experimental aircraft combining Handley Page design with Supermarine-built fuselage
• Blackburn B-95: Revised design proposal based on the earlier unbuilt B-89 from 1952
• Blackburn B-97: Rocket-powered fighter concept proposed under specification F.124T in 1952; not constructed
• Blackburn B-99: Development plan based on N.97 design from 1952 left unrealized
• Blackburn Beverley introduced in 1950 as model B-101: Four-engine high-wing transport aircraft designed originally by General Aircraft
• Blackburn B-102: Mixed propulsion fighter concept combining elements of previous designs from 1952; not built
• Blackburn Buccaneer, Y.B.3/B-103 introduced in 1958: Twin-engine jet-powered naval strike aircraft developed to meet Naval Staff Requirement NA.39
• Blackburn B-104 from 1953: Proposed medium-range military transport featuring two engines intended for Royal Air Force use; project was not realized
• Blackburn B-109 from 1958: Mach 1.5 strike fighter variant of Buccaneer designed for Canadian Air Force that was never constructed
• Blackburn B-112 from 1958: Mach 1.5 Buccaneer-based fighter proposal for Royal Navy that remained unbuilt
• Blackburn B-117 from 1960: High-altitude Buccaneer fighter concept that was not produced
• Blackburn B-120 from 1962: Mach 1.8 Buccaneer-based fighter design proposal that was never realized

In addition to designing its own models, the company manufactured aircraft developed under other firms' specifications such as the Sopwith Cuckoo during World War I and the Fairey Swordfish during World War II, both assembled at the Sherburn-in-Elmet plant.

Piston engines

• Blackburn Cirrus Major (introduced 1936)
• Blackburn Cirrus Minor (introduced 1937)
• Blackburn Cirrus Midget (introduced 1937)
• Blackburn Cirrus Bombardier (circa 1954)

Gas turbine engines (in collaboration with Turbomeca)

• Blackburn-Turbomeca Artouste (developed 1947)
• Blackburn-Turbomeca Palas (developed 1950)
• Blackburn-Turbomeca Palouste (developed 1952)
• Blackburn-Turbomeca A.129 (later named Bristol Siddeley Nimbus, subsequently Rolls-Royce Nimbus) (1958)

References

• Abraham, Barry. Post-War Yorkshire Airfields. Stroud: Tempus, 2002. ISBN 0-7524-2390-8.
• Bridgman, Leonard. Jane's all the world's aircraft, 1942. New York: Sampson, Low, Marston & Co, 1943. OCLC 26177288.
• Buttler, Tony. British Secret Projects: Jet Fighters since 1950. Manchester: Crecy Publishing, 2017. 2nd edition. Hardcover. ISBN 978-1-910-80905-1.
• Halpenny, Bruce Barrymore. Action Stations 4; Military Airfields of Yorkshire. Cambridge: Patrick Stephens Ltd, 1982. ISBN 0-85059-532-0.
• Otter, Patrick. Yorkshire Airfields in the Second World War. Newbury: Countryside Books, 2003. 4th edition. ISBN 1-85306-542-0.

External links

• A detailed history of Blackburn Aircraft Ltd.

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