Bristol 109

In the mid-1920s, the British Air Ministry issued a specification for a long-range aircraft capable of covering a distance of 5000 miles without a single stop. In response, Bristol Aeroplane Co. Ltd. designed the Bristol Type 109 in 1928 to meet this ambitious long-distance flight requirement.

Designing for Long-Range Endurance

To satisfy the specification’s demands, it was necessary to integrate 13 fuel tanks into the aircraft, holding a total capacity of over 4000 liters. This formidable fuel capacity was crucial for its endurance mission.

Flight Trials and Legacy

The aircraft’s maiden flight occurred on September 7, 1928. During trials, it achieved a maximum flight range of 3300 miles (5310 km), which, however, was significantly less than what the Air Ministry required. Consequently, the aircraft was subsequently used only for experimental purposes, notably testing the new Bristol Jupiter XF engine.

Technical Specifications

Modification	Bristol 109
Wingspan, m	15.59
Aircraft length, m	11.80
Aircraft height, m	4.27
Wing area, m2	65.03
Empty weight	2087
Maximum takeoff weight	4445
Engine type	1 Piston engine Bristol Jupiter VIII
Power, hp	1 x 480
Maximum speed, km/h	172
Cruising speed, km/h	145
Practical range, km	5310
Crew, crew members	2

Image and diagram gallery of the Bristol 109

Bristol 109	Bristol 109
Bristol 109	Bristol 109
Bristol 109	Bristol 109