Bristol Bombay Transport/Bomber
The Bombay was a high-wing, monoplane bomber with fixed landing gear. It was first built in 1935, but did not enter service until 1939. It was obsolete for the European theatre, however, it was designed to be simple and rugged for use in remote locations. It was used as a bomber only in North Africa, and then only at night or for unusual circumstances. Due to it's noisy engines, Air Commodore Collishaw used it during Operation Compass in North Africa to drown out the sound of the advancing tanks and armoured cars. It was also used to "bomb" the Italian forts with 20 lb anti-personnel mines. Each Bombay could carry 200. As the plane circled a fort, one man would arm the AP mine, hand it to another who would then toss it out the fusilage door. They kept this up all night alternating planes and forts. It was reported to have lowered the Italian's morale even further. Its main function in WWII was as a transport in the African and Mediterranean theatres, where it did stirling service for the first half of the war. The Bristol company built around 50.
Technical Details
The Bombay was crewed by six, two Pilots, Navigator, Wireless Operator, Fitter/Air Gunner and Rigger/Air Gunner. The AGs had to do double duty as the remote operations required men specially trained to keep it operational at all times. The Bombay was powered by two 1010 hp (753kW) Bristol Pegasus XXII radial engines that got it up to 192 mph (310 km/h). It had a ceiling of 25,000 ft (7,620 m) and a range of 2230 mi (3590 km). It was armed with four 0.303 machine guns; one each in the nose and tail turrets, and two that could be fired from hatches amidships. The rear gun was removed after 1941 as the aircraft was tail heavy. They could carry an adequate external bomb load of 2000 lbs (907 kg). As a transport it could be fitted with 24 seats.
Canadian Aces Home Page
Information From:
Gustin's Military Aircraft Database
Chris Chant. Aircraft of World War II. Prospero Books. 1999
Thanks to Robert Cooper, ex-Bombay crewman for filling in the details.
Image From:
Aircraft for the Few.