Bristol Brigand
| Bristol Brigand I
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| Description
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| Role | Multi-role strike aircraft
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| Crew | 3
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| First Flight | December 4, 1944
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| Entered Service | June, 1946
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| Manufacturer | Bristol Aeroplane Company
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| Dimensions
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| Length | 46 ft 5 in | 14.2 m
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| Wingspan | 72 ft 4 in | 22.1 m
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| Height | 16 ft 4 in | 5 m
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| Wing Area | 718 ft² | 66.7 m²
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| Weights
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| Empty | 27,500 lb | 12,470 kg
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| Loaded | 38,200 lb | 17,320 kg
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| Maximum takeoff | lb | kg
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| Powerplant
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| Engine | 2 × Bristol Centaurus 57
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| Power (each) | 2,165 hp | 1,620 kW
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| Performance
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| Maximum speed | 358 mph @ 13,700ft | 576 km/h @ 4,180 m
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| Combat range | 2,100 miles | 3,380 km
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| Ferry range | 2,770 miles | 4,457 km
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| Service ceiling | 26,000 ft | 7,920 m
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| Rate of climb | 1,500 ft/min | 460 m/min
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| Wing loading | 53.2 lb/ft² | 259.7 kg/m²
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| Power/Mass | 0.113 hp/lb | 0.187 kW/kg
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| Armament
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| Guns | 4 Hispano 20 mm cannon
1 Browning 0.5 in (~12.7 mm) machine gun
16 Rocket projectiles
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| Bombs | 22 inch (559 mm) torpedo + 1000 lb (450 kg) bombs
or 2000 lb (900 kg) bombs
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The Bristol Brigand was the outcome of a 1942 specification (H. 7/42) calling for a faster edition of the Beaufighter for long range torpedo work and anti-shipping strikes.
The design produced by Bristol utilised the wings, tail and undercarriage of the Buckingham with a new fuselage of oval cross-section. The 3 crew - pilot, navigator/bomb aimer and radio-operator/gunner were grouped together in the forward cockpit.
The type 164 Brigand is notable as both the first purpose-built multi-role strike aircraft built for the RAF, and its last piston-engined bomber. It could carry either a torpedo under the fuselage with two 500lb (220kg) bombs beneath the wings, or one 2,000lb (900 kg) or two 1,000lb (450 kg) bombs beneath the fuselage; and had under-wing racks for 16 rocket projectiles.
147 were built, and they served in Malaya and Kenya until replaced by the Canberra jet bomber.
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