Bristol Type 109

Type 109
Role	Long-distance biplane
National origin	United Kingdom
Manufacturer	Bristol Aeroplane Company
Designer	Frank Barnwell
First flight	1928
Retired	1931
Number built	1

The Bristol Type 109 was a British two-seat long-distance biplane built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company at Filton Aerodrome, England.^[1]

Design and development

The Type 109 was a single-engine two-seat conventional biplane built in 1928 for an attempt on the world distance record.^[1] The Type 109, registered G-EBZK and powered by a 480 hp (360 kW) Bristol Jupiter VIII radial engine, was first flown on 7 September 1928.^[1] The record attempt was abandoned and the aircraft was then modified to be used by Bert Hinkler for a world flight.^[1] The world flight was also abandoned and the aircraft was used by Bristol as an engine test bed for the Jupiter XIF engine.^[1] The Type 109 was scrapped in 1931, never having flown beyond the UK.^[1][2]

Specifications

Data from ^[2]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: 37 ft 9 in (11.51 m)
• Wingspan: 51 ft 2 in (15.6 m)
• Height: 14 ft 0 in (4.27 m)
• Wing area: 700 ft² (65.0 m²)
• Empty weight: 4,600 lb (2,085 kg)
• Gross weight: 9,800 lb (4,445 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × Bristol Jupiter VIII piston radial engine, 480 hp (358 kW)

Performance

• Cruise speed: 90 mph (145 km/h)
• Range: 3,300 miles (5,300 km)

Notes

1. Jackson 1973, page 308
2. Barnes 1964, p. 234

References

• Barnes, C.H. (1964). Bristol Aircraft since 1910. London: Putnam Publishing. ISBN 0-370-00015-3.
• Jackson, A.J. (1973). British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 1. London: Putnam. ISBN 0-370-10006-9.