Bristol Pullman

The Bristol Pullman was a British prototype passenger aircraft developed from the Braemar triplane heavy bomber.

For the premium rail service, see Bristol Pullman (train).

Pullman
Role Passenger aircraft
National origin United Kingdom
Manufacturer Bristol Aeroplane Company
Designer Frank Barnwell
First flight May 1920
Status Prototype
Primary user Royal Air Force
Number built 1
Developed from Bristol Braemar
Developed into Bristol Tramp

Design and development

The Pullman was developed as a 14-passenger variant of the Braemar bomber. The third prototype Braemar was completed as the prototype and sole Pullman and first flew early in May 1920. It was shown at the International Aero Show at Olympia in July of that year, where its great size and interior fittings were much admired. The Pullman was one of the earliest British aircraft to have a fully enclosed crew cabin, and this feature was disliked by service pilots, who often carried fireman's axes with them to enable them to escape in an emergency.

Operational history

Ultimately the Pullman was not accepted for squadron use by the Royal Air Force, nor was it selected for use by any civil operator. The prototype was the sole example of the type constructed or configured.

Variants
Type 26 Pullman
Passenger variant of the Braemar bomber powered by four Liberty L-12 engines, one built and first flown in May 1920, sometimes known as the Pullman 14.
Type 33 Pullman 40
Proposed upscaled 40-passenger variant, it was to be powered from a central engine room, at first with four 500 hp (373 kW) Siddeley Tiger engines and later by two 1,500 hp (1,119 kW) steam turbines. A smaller testbed for the central engine room concept was built as the Tramp.

Operators
 United Kingdom

Specifications

Data from Bristol Aircraft since 1910[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Capacity: 14 passengers
  • Length: 52 ft (16 m)
  • Wingspan: 81 ft 8 in (24.89 m)
  • Height: 20 ft (6.1 m)
  • Wing area: 1,905 sq ft (177.0 m2)
  • Empty weight: 11,000 lb (4,990 kg)
  • Gross weight: 17,750 lb (8,051 kg)
  • Powerplant: 4 × Liberty L-12 V-12 water-cooled piston engines, 400 hp (300 kW) each
  • Propellers: 4-bladed fixed-pitch pusher and tractor propellers

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 135 mph (217 km/h, 117 kn)
  • Range: 1,000 mi (1,600 km, 870 nmi) +
  • Service ceiling: 15,000 ft (4,600 m)

See also

Related development

References

Citations
  1. Barnes, C.H. (1964). Bristol Aircraft since 1910 (1st ed.). London: Putnam & Company Ltd. pp. 138–142.

Bibliography
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