Bristol Pullman

Bristol Pullman

Industry	Aviation, Aircraft manufacturing
Founded	1920
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Products	Experimental passenger aircraft

For the premium rail service, see Bristol Pullman (train).

The Bristol Pullman represented a British experimental passenger aircraft derived from the Braemar triplane heavy bomber.

Design and development

Conceived as a 14-seat adaptation of the Braemar bomber, the Pullman originated from the third Braemar prototype, which was converted to serve as the prototype and only example of this passenger model. Its maiden flight occurred in early May 1920. Displayed at the International Aero Show held at Olympia in July that year, it drew attention for its considerable size and luxurious interior appointments. Notably, the Pullman was among the first British aircraft to feature a fully enclosed crew compartment—a design choice that was unpopular among military pilots, who frequently carried axes onboard to facilitate emergency egress.

Operational history

The Pullman failed to secure adoption for operational squadron deployment by the Royal Air Force, nor was it taken up by any civilian airline operators. Only the single prototype was ever constructed or modified to this configuration.

Variants

Type 26 Pullman

This passenger adaptation of the Braemar bomber was equipped with four Liberty L-12 engines. Only one unit was built and it first flew in May 1920. It is occasionally referred to as the Pullman 14.

Type 33 Pullman 40

An envisioned enlarged version designed to accommodate 40 passengers, intended to be powered by a central engine room initially housing four 500 hp (373 kW) Siddeley Tiger engines, later planned to be replaced by two 1,500 hp (1,119 kW) steam turbines. The central engine room concept was preliminarily tested on a smaller aircraft known as the Tramp.

Operators

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• Royal Air Force