Bristol Prier monoplane

Bristol and Colonial Aeroplane Company

Industry	Aircraft manufacturing
Founded	1911
Founder	Pierre Prier (designer)
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Products	Aircraft (including Bristol Prier monoplane)

The Bristol Prier monoplane represents an early British aircraft produced in various single-seat and two-seat configurations.

Background

The Bristol Prier Monoplanes were a line of tractor-configured monoplanes developed by Pierre Prier for the Bristol and Colonial Aeroplane Company. Prier, previously the chief pilot at the Bleriot school located at Hendon, joined Bristol in July 1911. At that moment, the company was without a dedicated designer, following the departures of George Challenger and Archibald Low, who had moved to Vickers’ newly formed aircraft division.

Design and development

The design of the Bristol Prier monoplanes bore a strong resemblance to the successful Blériot XI model. They featured a fuselage constructed from wood, covered with fabric and reinforced by wire bracing, alongside parallel-chord wings that employed wing-warping techniques for lateral control. However, certain elements differed: the all-moving tailplane had an elongated fan shape positioned midway between the upper and lower longerons. The undercarriage incorporated two wheels mounted on an axle attached to forward-extending skids. Propulsion came from a 50 hp (37 kW) Gnome rotary engine.

The initial aircraft produced (works number 46) was intended for participation in the Gordon Bennett Trophy race but was not completed in time. Subsequently, two additional planes (numbers 56 and 57) featuring a modified engine mount were begun with plans to enter the Daily Mail Circuit of Britain air race.

Development then progressed to a two-seater variant, designated works number 58. By October 1911, this model had undergone extensive testing, prompting Bristol’s management to approve mass production. Six airframes (numbers 71–76) were initiated, with the first meticulously finished—its aluminium cowling polished, seat upholstered in pigskin, and equipped with storage compartments for binoculars and a thermos flask—for display at the 1911 Paris Aero Salon, where it stood as the sole British exhibit. Concurrently, two prototypes (nos. 46 and 57) were modified to accommodate a 35 hp (26 kW) Anzani engine aimed at creating a low-powered sports aircraft. Aircraft number 74 also attended the Paris Salon, conducting demonstration flights over the city during the event.

Aircraft number 72 was dispatched to Madrid for demonstration flights piloted by Howard Pixton. Afterward, Pixton proceeded to Germany where he flew number 74 at Döberitz to showcase its performance to representatives of the German army. This engagement led Bristol to establish a German subsidiary named Deutsche Bristolwerke Flugzeuggesellschaft m.b.H., which was renamed Halberstädter Flugzeugwerke in 1913, along with an affiliated flying school based in Halberstadt; aircraft number 74 was assigned to this school.

Primarily employed as trainers and racing aircraft, the Prier monoplanes also saw some military use. Two two-seater units were sold to and delivered for use by the Turkish Government. Additionally, one two-seater was sold to Bulgaria and delivered on 16 September 1912; it saw service during the Balkan War and once transported Hubert Wilkins while he filmed for a London newspaper.

Variants

• P-1: Initial prototype models. Works numbers 46, 56, 57
• Single-seat trainer equipped with a 40 hp (30 kW) Clement-Bayard or 40 hp (30 kW) Isaacson engine
• Two-seat short fuselage version featuring a wingspan of 32 ft 9 in (9.95 m), powered by a 50 hp (37 kW) Gnome engine. Works numbers 68, 81, 95–98, 102
• Two-seat long fuselage variant with a wingspan of 34 ft (10.36 m) and length of 26 ft (7.92 m), driven by a 70 hp (52 kW) Gnome engine. Works numbers 82, 85–89, 91, 130, 155, 156
• Two-seat side-by-side cockpit model, measuring 34 ft 6 in (10.48 m) in wingspan and 26 ft (7.92 m) in length, powered by a 75 hp (56 kW) Gnome engine. Works numbers 107–109

Operators

Template:BUL

• Bulgarian Air Force

Template:TUR

• Ottoman Air Force

Template:UK

• Royal Flying Corps
  • 3 Squadron in service during 1912

References

• Taylor, Michael J. H., Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation, Studio Editions, London, 1989, p.204
• Barnes, C. H., Bristol Aircraft since 1910, Putnam and Company Ltd, London, 1964, p.415