View source for Bristol Bulldog

{{Short description|1927 fighter aircraft family by Bristol}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2025}}
{{Infobox aircraft
 |name=Type 105 Bulldog
 |image=Bristol Bulldog.1.jpg
 |caption=<!--image caption; if it isn't descriptive it should be left blank-->
 |type=Fighter
 |manufacturer=[[Bristol Aeroplane Company]]
 |designer=[[Frank Barnwell]]
 |first_flight= 17 May 1927
 |introduction= [[1929 in aviation|1929]]
 |retired= [[1937 in aviation|1937]]
 |status=
 |primary_user= [[Royal Air Force]]
 |more_users= [[Latvian Air Force]]<br />[[Finnish Air Force]]<br />[[Royal Australian Air Force]]
 |produced=
 |number_built= 443 (including prototypes and licence built)
 |unit cost=
 |variants=
}}

The '''Bristol Bulldog''' is a British [[Royal Air Force]] single-seat [[biplane]] [[Fighter aircraft|fighter]] designed during the 1920s by the [[Bristol Aeroplane Company]].  More than 400 Bulldogs were produced for the [[RAF]] and overseas customers, and it was one of the most famous aircraft used by the RAF during the inter-war period.
{{TOC limit|limit=2}}

==Background==
The design of the Bulldog was the outcome of a series of design studies for fighters undertaken by [[Frank Barnwell]] during the 1920s. In 1924 Barnwell had started work on a fighter powered by the [[Rolls-Royce Falcon]] to meet the requirements of [[List of Air Ministry specifications|specification F.17/24]].  The project was shelved since Bristol preferred to use its own engine designs, but was revived in 1926 when Barnwell started work on a design, designated the Bristol 102, to meet either F.9/26 for a day-and-night fighter or N.21/26 for a shipborne fighter.

The Type 105 designation was first applied to a subsequent proposal for another aircraft to meet F.9/26 powered by the [[Bristol Mercury|Mercury]] engine then under development at Bristol.  These proposals looked promising enough for a pair of mock ups to be constructed for inspection by the [[Air Ministry]] in February 1927. The two aircraft were similar in design, the [[Interceptor aircraft|interceptor]] to specification F.17/24 design being slightly smaller and lighter and not equipped with radio. As a result, Bristol was asked to revise the design so that it met a later interceptor specification, F.20/27.  Subsequently, a [[prototype]] aircraft, now called the [[Bristol Bullpup|Type 107 Bullpup]] was ordered for evaluation, but the other design did not gain official backing. Bristol considered it promising enough to build a prototype for the F.9/26 trials as a private venture, powered by a [[Bristol Jupiter]] because the supply of Mercurys was expected to be limited.<ref name="Barnes p212">Barnes 1964, p. 212.</ref>

==Design and development==
The Type 105 was an unequal span [[interplane struts|single bay]] biplane powered by a supercharged Bristol Jupiter VII air-cooled radial engine driving a two-bladed propeller.  The structure was all-metal with a fabric covering, using members built up from rolled high-tensile steel strips riveted together.  In order to ensure the maximum field of view there was a large semi-circular cut-out in the trailing edge of the upper wing and the inboard section of the lower was of reduced [[chord (aircraft)|chord]]. [[Frise aileron]]s were fitted to the top wing only.  It was armed with a pair of {{convert|0.303|in|mm|abbr=on}} Vickers machine guns mounted one either side of the cockpit.<ref name="Aeroaug91 p460-1">Lumsden ''Aeroplane Monthly'' August 1991, pp. 460–461.</ref><ref name="Barnes 212-3">Barnes 1964, pp. 212–213.</ref>

The prototype Bulldog first flew on 17 May 1927. Initial testing was entirely satisfactory and it was delivered to [[RAF Martlesham Heath]] in June.<ref name="Mason p193">Mason 1992, p. 193.</ref> After consideration of all the types entered to meet the specification, the Bulldog and the [[Hawker Hawfinch]] were selected for more detailed evaluation.<ref name="Mason p194"/> The manoeuvrability and strength of the Bulldog were praised by the RAF.  It had poor spin recovery characteristics, which were remedied by fitting an enlarged fin and rudder but this led to difficulties in taxiing in a crosswind.<ref name="Barnes p213">Barnes 1964, p. 213.</ref>

A second prototype with a lengthened rear fuselage was ordered for further evaluation in comparison with the Hawfinch. In this form, the Type 105A or Bulldog Mk. II, it was first flown by [[Cyril Uwins]] on 21 January 1928 and shortly afterwards delivered to Martlesham Heath. Performance was so close to that of the Hawfinch that a decision was deferred until the aircraft had been evaluated by service pilots; the eventual choice of the Bulldog was made largely because it was easier to maintain.<ref name="Mason p194">Mason 1992, p. 194.</ref><ref name="Barnes p214">Barnes 1964, p. 214</ref> An initial contract for 25 aircraft was placed:  Bristol accordingly laid down 26 airframes, the extra one being intended as a company demonstration aircraft.  The first of these were delivered on 8 May 1929 and deliveries were complete by 10 October.{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}}

Later production aircraft were of a refined version, the '''Mk. IIA''' with revised wing spars and a stronger fuselage, powered by the improved Jupiter VII F. One production aircraft was modified for use as an advanced trainer: after evaluation by the [[Central Flying School]] at [[RAF Upavon|Upavon]] this was ordered by the RAF, the production aircraft differing from the prototype in having slightly swept wings and an enlarged fin to improve spin recovery.<ref>Barnes 1966, pp. 219–220.</ref>

==Operational history==

[[File:Bristol Bulldog REJS.jpg|thumb|A Bristol Bulldog preserved at the [[Royal Air Force Museum|RAF Museum]], Hendon]]
The Bulldog never saw combat with the RAF, although during the [[Abyssinia Crisis]] of 1935–36, Bristol Bulldogs were sent to the [[Sudan]] to reinforce [[Middle East Command]]. [[Douglas Bader]], better known for his Second World War actions, lost both of his legs when he crashed his Bristol Bulldog while he was performing unauthorised [[aerobatics]] at Woodley airfield near Reading. The Bulldog was withdrawn from [[RAF Fighter Command]] in July 1937, being primarily replaced by the [[Gloster Gauntlet]].<ref name=fc>Delve 2008, pp. 248–253,</ref> but continued to serve the RAF for a few years with Service Flying Training Schools.<ref name=fc/> The Bulldog was exported to foreign air forces, seeing service with [[Australia]], [[Denmark]], [[Estonia]], [[Finland]], [[Japan]], [[Latvia]], [[Siam]] and [[Sweden]].<ref name="Breed p91-2">''Air Enthusiast'' February 1973, pp. 91–92.</ref>

In 1936, Latvia, intent on replacing its Bulldogs with more modern aircraft, sold 11 Bulldogs to [[Basque nationalist]] forces. These became part of the [[Spanish Republican Air Force]] in the [[Spanish Civil War]]; remaining in use until the [[Battle of Santander]].<ref name="Breed p91-2"/> Ten Bulldogs saw combat as part of the [[Finnish Air Force]] during the [[Winter War]] against the [[Soviet Union]], which began in 1939. The Bulldogs fought against their Soviet opponent, gaining two kills by two pilots for the loss of one of their own, the types shot down being one [[Polikarpov I-16]] and one [[Tupolev SB]], both of which were superior in terms of technology compared to the Bulldog.<ref name=finland>{{cite web|title=Bristol Bulldog IVA in Finnish Service|url=http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/bulldog_finland.htm|publisher=Biplane Fighter Aces from the Second World War|access-date=2 October 2017}}</ref> The first aerial victory of the Finnish Air Force was achieved by a Bulldog piloted by SSgt Toivo Uuttu on 1 December 1939,<ref name="Finnish biplane fighter aces - Toivo Uuttu">Gustavsson, Håkan. [http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/finland_uttu.htm "Ylikersantti Toivo Antero Uuttu."] ''Biplane fighter aces: Finland'', 4 October 2007. Retrieved: 27 June 2009.</ref> over an I-16.<ref name=finland/> The Bulldogs were used in advanced training during the subsequent [[Continuation War]] against the Soviet Union.<ref name=finland/>

==Variants==
{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2021}}
;Bulldog Mk. I
:Single-seat day-and-night fighter prototype; two built.
;High-altitude Bulldog
:Modification of first prototype with enlarged wings intended for an attempt on the world altitude record.
;Bulldog Mk. II
:Second prototype and initial production version. Powered by a 440&nbsp;hp (330&nbsp;kW) Bristol Jupiter VII radial piston engine; 92 built by Bristol.
;Bulldog Mk. IIA
: Powered by a 490&nbsp;hp (370&nbsp;kW) Bristol Jupiter VIIF radial piston engine and revised detail design; 268 built by Bristol.
;Bulldog Mk. IIIA
:Development powered by a [[Bristol Mercury|Bristol Mercury IV]] enclosed within a [[Townend ring]] with a revised wings and stronger fuselage. Only two built, one of which was converted to become the prototype Mk. IV.
;Bulldog Mk. IVA
:Development of the Mk.III to meet specification F.7/30 for a four-gun day-and-night fighter.  Not ordered by the RAF but 17 sold to Finland, armed with two 7.7 mm Vickers guns; 18 built by Bristol.
;Bulldog TM (Type 124)
:Two-seat training version; 59 built. Powered by an [[Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah IX]] of {{convert|310|hp|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite book |last=Lumsden |first=Alec |title=British Piston Engines and their Aircraft |place=Marlborough, UK |publisher=Airlife Publishing |date=2003 |isbn=1-85310-294-6 |page=75}}</ref>
;"J.S.S.F." (Japanese Single-Seat Fighter)
:Two aircraft licence-built by [[Nakajima Aircraft Company|Nakajima]] Aircraft Works, [[Japan]].
;B.Kh.6
:({{langx|th|บ.ข.๖}}) [[Royal Siamese Air Force]] designation for the Bulldog Mk. II.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thai Military Aircraft Designations |url=https://designation-systems.net/non-us/thailand.html |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=designation-systems.net}}</ref>

==Operators==
{{More citations needed section|date=January 2021}}
[[File:Bristol Bulldog.jpg|thumb|Bristol Bulldog preserved at the [[Hallinportti Aviation Museum]].]]
;{{AUS}}
* [[Royal Australian Air Force]]
** [[No. 1 Squadron RAAF]] – Bulldog Mk. IIA
** [[No. 2 Squadron RAAF]] – Bulldog Mk. IIA
;{{DNK}}
* [[Royal Danish Air Force]]
;{{EST}}
* [[Estonian Air Force]]
;{{FIN}}
* [[Finnish Air Force]] – Bulldog Mk. IVA
;{{JPN}}
* [[Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service]]
;{{LAT}}
* [[Latvian Air Force]]
;{{flag|Thailand|name=Siam}} (now [[Thailand]])
* [[Royal Siamese Air Force]] Two bought for comparison purposes
;{{flag|Spanish Republic}}
* [[Spanish Republican Air Force]]
;{{SWE}}
* [[Royal Swedish Air Force]] Two remaining Bulldog Mk. IIA donated to Finland 1939
;{{UK}}
* [[Royal Air Force]]
{{colbegin}}
** [[No. 3 Squadron RAF]] – May 1929 to July 1937<ref name="am991p527">Thetford ''Aeroplane Monthly'' September 1991, p. 527</ref>
** [[No. 17 Squadron RAF]] – October 1929 to August 1936<ref name="am991p527"/>
** [[No. 19 Squadron RAF]] – September 1931 to January 1935<ref name="am991p527"/>
** [[No. 23 Squadron RAF]] – July 1931 to April 1933<ref name="am991p528">Thetford ''Aeroplane Monthly'' September 1991, p. 528</ref>
** [[No. 24 Squadron RAF]] – One two-seat Bulldog was used by No. 24 (Communications) Squadron.
** [[No. 29 Squadron RAF]] – June 1932 to April 1935<ref name="am991p528"/>
** [[No. 32 Squadron RAF]] – January 1931 to July 1936<ref name="am991p528"/>
** [[No. 41 Squadron RAF]] – October 1931 to August 1934<ref name="am991p528"/>
** [[No. 54 Squadron RAF]] – April 1930 to September 1936<ref name="am991p528"/>
** [[No. 56 Squadron RAF]] – October 1932 to May 1936<ref name="am991p528"/>
** [[No. 111 Squadron RAF]] – January 1931 to July 1934<ref name="am991p528"/>
** No. 1 Flying Training School<ref name="am991p528"/>
** No. 3 Flying Training School<ref name="am991p528"/>
** No. 5 Flying Training School<ref name="am991p528"/>
** Central Flying School RAF<ref name="am991p528"/>
** RAF College, Cranwell<ref name="am991p528"/>
{{Div col end}}
;{{USA}}
* [[United States Navy]] – The US Navy purchased two aircraft between 1929–1930. The aircraft were used for test and trials. During trial on 25 November 1929, one crashed near [[Bolling Field]], killing its pilot, Lieutenant George T. Cuddihy.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cuddihy is Killed as Plane Crashes 10,000 Feet in Test |url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1929-11-25/ed-1/seq-1/ |work=Evening Star |date=28 November 1929 |location=Washington, DC |pages=1}}</ref>

==Surviving aircraft==
;Finland
* BU-59 – Bulldog IVA on static display at the [[Hallinportti Aviation Museum]] in [[Kuorevesi|Kuorevesi, Jämsä]].<ref name="Keskinen et al">Keskinen et al 1981, p. 27.</ref>

;United Kingdom
* G-ABBB – Bulldog IIA on static display at the [[Royal Air Force Museum London]] in [[London]]. This aircraft was the civilian demonstrator and is painted as ''K2227''. It was severely damaged in a crash in 1964 at the [[Farnborough Airshow]] and repaired in the late 1990s.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bristol Bulldog MkIIA |url=http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/collections/bristol-bulldog-mkiia |website=Royal Air Force Museum |access-date=24 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Simpson |first1=Andrew |title=INDIVIDUAL HISTORY [G-ABBB] |url=http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/documents/collections/1994-1386-A_Bristol_Bulldog.pdf |website=Royal Air Force Museum |access-date=24 November 2018 |date=2018}}</ref>

In addition an airworthy replica was constructed by Ed Storo of [[Tillamook, Oregon]] between 2000 and 2022. It is powered by a [[Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp]] due to the scarcity of the original Bristol Jupiter engine.<ref>Orphan, Graham. "The Last Bulldog!", Classic Wings vol.24 no.1, p.34-38.</ref>

==Specifications (Bulldog IIa)==
[[File:Bristol Bulldog 3-view Aero Digest November,1930.png|thumb|Bristol Bulldog 3-view drawing from Aero Digest November,1930]]

{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Bristol Aircraft Since 1910<ref name="Barnes p230">Barnes 1964, p. 230.</ref>
|prime units?=imp
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew=1
|length ft=25
|length in=2
|length note=
|span ft=33
|span in=10
|span note=
|height ft=8
|height in=9
|height note=
|wing area sqft=307
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil=Bristol 1A, both wings.  Barnes and Luff books incorrect, may have been referencing the Bristol Pup<ref>A.P. manuals for both Mk II and Mk IIa, as well as Bristol drawings.</ref>
|empty weight lb=2205
|empty weight note=
|gross weight lb=
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight lb=3490
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Bristol Jupiter VIIF]]
|eng1 type=9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine
|eng1 hp=490
|eng1 note=

|prop blade number=2
|prop name=wooden fixed-pitch propeller
|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia note=
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed mph=178
|max speed note=
|cruise speed mph=
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed mph=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed note=
|range miles=
|range note=
|combat range miles=
|combat range note=
|ferry range miles=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling ft=29300
|ceiling note=
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|climb rate ftmin=
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|lift to drag=
|wing loading lb/sqft=
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/mass=
|more performance=<!--
* '''Take-off run:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}
* '''Take-off distance to {{cvt|50|ft|0}}:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}
* '''Landing run:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}
* '''Landing distance from {{cvt|50|ft|0}}:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}-->
<!--
        Armament
-->
|guns= 2 × 0.303 in (7.7 mm) [[Vickers machine gun]]s
|bombs=4 × 20 lb (9 kg) bombs
}}

==See also==
{{aircontent
|similar aircraft=
* [[Gloster Gamecock]]
* [[Gloster Grebe]]
* [[Hawker Woodcock]]
|lists=
* [[List of aircraft of the Royal Air Force]]
* [[List of aircraft of the Spanish Republican Air Force]]
* [[List of fighter aircraft]]
}}

==Notes==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
* Andrews, C.F. ''The Bristol Bulldog (Aircraft in Profile No.6)''. Leatherhead: Profile Publications Ltd., 1965. {{OCLC|705729015}}
* Barnes, C.H. ''Bristol Aircraft Since 1910''. London: Putnam, 1964. {{OCLC|11742314}}
* "The Bulldog Breed" Part II. ''[[Air International|Air Enthusiast]]'', Vol. 4, No. 2, February 1973, pp.&nbsp;91–95. Bromley, UK: Fine Scroll. {{issn|0143-5450}}
* Crawford. Alex. ''Bristol Bulldog, Gloster Gauntlet''. Sandomierz, Poland/Redbourn, UK: Mushroom Model Publications, 2005. {{ISBN|83-89450-04-6}}.
* Delve, Ken. [https://books.google.com/books?id=UeE4PQAACAAJ ''Fighter Command 1936–1968: An Operational and Historical Record.''] Barnsley, South Yorkshire, UK: Pen & Sword, 2008. {{ISBN|978-1-84415-613-9}}.
* Gerdessen, Frederik. "Estonian Air Power 1918 – 1945". ''[[Air Enthusiast]]'', No. 18, April – July 1982. pp.&nbsp;61–76. {{ISSN|0143-5450}}.
* Granger, Alfred. ''The Bristol Bulldog'' (Data Plan No. 2). Hamburg, Germany: Taurus Press, 1973.
* Keskinen, Kalevi, Niska, Klaus, Stenman Kari and Geust, Carl-Frederik. ''Suomen museolentokoneet (Museum Aircraft in Finland)''. Espoo, Tietoteos, 1981. {{ISBN|951-9035-60-5}}.
* López, Rafael A. Permuy and Artemio Mortera Pérez.  ''Bristol "Bulldog" (I) (Perfiles Aeronáuticos: La Máquina y la Historia 8)'' (in Spanish). Valladolid, Spain: Quiron Ediciones, 2006. {{ISBN|84-96016-03-X}}.
* López, Rafael A. Permuy and Artemio Mortera Pérez. ''Bristol "Bulldog" (II) (Perfiles Aeronáuticos: La Máquina y la Historia 9)'' (in Spanish). Valladolid, Spain: Quiron Ediciones, 2006. {{ISBN|84-96016-04-8}}.
* Lumsden, Alec. "On Silver Wings – Part 11". ''[[Aeroplane Monthly]]'', Vol 19 No 8, August 1991. pp.&nbsp;458–463. {{ISSN|0143-7240}}
* Mason, Francis K. ''The British Fighter since 1912''. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1992. {{ISBN|1-55750-082-7}}.
* Thetford, Owen. "On Silver Wings – Part 12". ''Aeroplane Monthly'', Vol 19 No 9, September 1991. pp.&nbsp;522–528. {{ISSN|0143-7240}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Bristol Bulldog}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927192934/http://www.avrosys.nu/aircraft/Jakt/107J7.htm Sweden: J 7 – Bristol Bulldog Mk IIA (1930–1940)]
* [http://glostransporthistory.visit-gloucestershire.co.uk/JetAgeRMCbristol.htm Bristol Aircraft]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080706094603/http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/collections/aircraft/bristol-bulldog-mkiia.cfm RAF Museum Bristol Bulldog Mk IIA]

{{Bristol aircraft}}
{{Swedish military aircraft designations}}
{{ADF aircraft designations}}
{{Thai fighter designations}}

{{Authority control}}

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[[Category:1920s British fighter aircraft]]
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