Bristol Bombay
(IWM Photo CH2936)
Bristol Bombay Mk. I, RAF (Serial No. L5838), No. 216 Squadron, Aldergrove, County Antrim, UK.
The Bombay was a British 1930’s era twin-engine medium bomber, troop and cargo transport powered by a pair of Bristol Pegasus XXII radial piston engines. The aircraft had a fixed undercarriage. The Bombay was flown by Canadians attached to the RAF in the early years of the Second World War in Egypt. Special features included a door arrangement with a built-in gantry allowing the loading of heavy freight and the fitment of power-operated gun turrets of Bristol design.
The Bombay was capable of dropping 250 lb(113 kg) bombs held on external racks, and was also used to drop 20 lb (9 kg)anti-personnel mines, which were armed and thrown out of the cargo door by hand. Obsolete as a bomber by European standards, the Bombays were predominately used as transports, ferrying supplies and evacuating the wounded. The bomber passed out of service in the mid-1940s. Internet:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_Bombay.
(IWM Photo CH4230)
Bristol Bombay Mk. I, RAF (Serial No. L5845), D, No. 216 Squadron in the Middle East.
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