Bristol Bullet

Bristol Aeroplane Company

Industry	Aerospace
Founded	1910
Founder	Sir George White
Headquarters	Filton, Bristol , United Kingdom
Products	Aircraft, aero engines

Overview

The Bristol Type 32 Bullet was a British racing biplane developed in 1919. Conceived by Frank Barnwell, it served as a high-speed experimental platform for the Jupiter engine, which was under development by Roy Fedden at Bristol for the Cosmos Engineering firm. Additionally, the aircraft aimed to enhance the company's visibility through participation in competitive air racing.

Design and Construction

This aircraft featured a traditional single-seat biplane configuration with single-bay wings constructed from a thin, low-drag airfoil section, supported by N-shaped struts. The fuselage was built around a wooden four-longeron framework, shaped to achieve a smooth circular cross-section.

Development and Flight History

The completed airframe, initially equipped with a mock-up engine, was showcased at the Paris Aero Salon in December 1919. However, the actual engine was not installed until June 1920, when the aircraft made its inaugural flight under the control of pilot Cyril Uwins. The Bullet competed in the July 1920 Aerial Derby, but its performance fell short of expectations. This led to significant modifications including a redesigned cowling, installation of a large hemispherical spinner, and substantial reductions in both wingspan and wing gap. By this time, Cosmos Engineering had declared bankruptcy, and Bristol had acquired its aero-engine division. Subsequently, the Bullet was utilized to accumulate flight hours necessary for securing Air Ministry type certification for the Jupiter engine, a role it performed alongside the Bristol Badger.

Following these alterations, the Bullet achieved an increased top speed of 170 mph (270 km/h). It secured fourth place in the 1921 Aerial Derby with an average speed of 141 mph (227 km/h). Later, fitted with a more powerful 380 hp (280 kW) Jupiter II engine, and flown by Rollo A. de Haga Haig, the aircraft attained second place in the 1922 Aerial Derby at an average speed of 145 mph (233 km/h), only surpassed by the Gloster Mars, which had also won the previous year’s race.

The Bullet was slated to compete in both the 1923 Aerial Derby and Kings Cup events; however, following the fatal accident of pilot Leslie Foot during the Grosvenor Cup flying a Bristol M.1D, Bristol withdrew from racing activities. Consequently, the Type 32 Bullet was retired and ultimately dismantled in 1924.