British Forces

The Bristol Bombay - an unsung servant.

Bristol Aircraft

Bristol Type 130 Bombay in flight. The Bombay was a result of a Ministry of Defence specification for a dual-purpose transport/bomber, intended mainly for use in Africa. The result - which could carry some 2,000 pounds (eight 250 lb. bombs mounted externally below the wings) or 24 troops - clearly reflects an intention that it be used as a utility aeroplane in the sort of situation that might arise in "the Empire". Development was slow - the aircraft was commissioned in 1931, prototype flew in 1935, and production commenced in 1939 and, by the time production commenced, the aircraft was pretty obviously obsolete, at least for European theatre use. However, an order for 50 aircraft was filled. As the Bristol works was fully occupied in building other models by 1939, these aircraft were actually built by the Short & Harland company at Belfast, Northern Ireland. The Bombay saw very limited service in Europe, 1939/'40, but its main employment was, as intended, in North Africa and East Africa, where it was used both as a troop transport and a bomber, and also (in North Africa) as a minelayer (they armed the mines and tossed them out the cargo door). In these "secondary" theatres, the Bombay performed a useful function (by East African theatre standards it was quite advanced). With the end of operations in North and East Africa, the Bristol Bombay was phased out. None would be in service by end-1943. Best regards, JR.