Bristol Bagshot

Specification 4/24 issued in 1924 called for a multi-seat twin-engined fighter capable of carrying two of the 37mm Coventry Ordnance Works (COW) cannon. To meet this requirement Frank Barnwell designed the radical Bagshot, the sole prototype of which was first flown on 15 July 1927. Powered by two 450hp Bristol Jupiter VI engines, the Bagshot had an unorthodox triangular- section, steel-tube, fabric-covered fuselage and a two-spar, shoulder-mounted wing with a steel primary structure. One 37mm COW gun was carried in an open nose turret and a similar weapon in a dorsal position, a Scarff-mounted 7.7mm Lewis being carried aft of the latter gun. The crew comprised pilot and two gunners. During flight trials it was discovered that aileron reversal resulting from wing torsional flexibility produced ineffective lateral control, and as it was concluded that the shortcomings of the aircraft could be eradicated only by virtually complete redesign, further flight trials with the Bagshot were abandoned.

3-View

A three-view drawing (1280 x 914)