This new book in the excellent series of publications by Key takes a look at the history of the Bristol company.
Many of us will immediately think of the Blenheim, but Bristol's designers came up with numerous ideas in the years before.
From the gently named 'Babe' to the more formidable sounding 'Bullet' & 'Bloodhound', Bristol's designs & prototypes appeared to have mixed results. Proving fatal for a number of test pilots.
But their endeavours were rewarded in 1936 when the 'Type 138A' gained the World Altitude Record.
Despite this success, Bristol's focus was already on the Blenheim.
Without even flying, 150 Blenheims were ordered by the Air Ministry 'from the drawing board.' The first delivered to the RAF in March 1937.
The Blenheim was originally called the Bolingbroke. The latter name would be used for those built in Canada.
An Australian variant, the Beaufort, was also built & saw service.
All would have a variety of roles, in many different theatres, during the Second World War.
*Another Bristol aircraft of the war, the Beaufighter, will be covered in a later book review, from this series.
Bristol continued throughout the war to design & build new aircraft to play a role in the war. But even before the war had ended thoughts were also turning to both helicopters & post-war commercial passenger flights. The book covers these, along with explaining how one prototype would contribute to the design of Concorde!
This book has certainly proved that the Bristol company played a huge part in the history of aviation.
Yet again I continue to be impressed with the books in this highly recommended series.
So many great photos accompany a narrative that is both enjoyable to read, & I'm sure would provide any reader with some new information.
The book is by Key Publishing & is available from Pen & Sword Books, who I must thank for this review copy.
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