Bristol Monoplane

British and Colonial Aeroplane Company

Industry	Aircraft manufacturing
Founded	1911
Headquarters	Filton , United Kingdom

Not to be confused with the later Bristol M.1, commonly referred to as the Bristol Monoplane.

The Bristol Monoplane, also identified as the 1911 Monoplane, represents the inaugural monoplane model conceived and constructed by the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company.

Design and development

In 1911, designers George Challenger and Archibald Low created a single-seat monoplane, with two units produced at Filton during February of that year. The design incorporated elements inspired by the Bleriot—notably wing warping—and the Antionette, featuring a fuselage with a triangular cross-section. Propulsion was provided by a 50 hp Gnome engine driving a two-bladed propeller. The landing apparatus comprised what would later be termed conventional landing gear, including a tail-skid.

Aircraft No. 35 underwent testing at Larkhill before being presented at the Olympia exhibition in March 1911. Meanwhile, No. 36 was showcased in St. Petersburg in April of the same year. During its trials at Larkhill, No. 35 sustained damage following an unsuccessful take-off attempt and was subsequently not restored.