The Bristol Brandon was a British single-engine biplane transport aircraft built in the early 1920s.
Only three were built, two of which were used as civil transports and one of which (the Bristol Brandon) served with the Royal Air Force.
In 1919 and 1920, Frank Barnwell, chief designer of the Bristol Aeroplane Company, considered designs for a commercial transport aircraft, ranging from single-engine, three-seat aircraft to four-engine aircraft carrying ten passengers, none of which were built.
Early in 1921, the British government decided to provide subsidies for approved airlines, so Bristol’s management authorised Barnwell to proceed with a design for a single-engined transport aircraft.
The Bristol Type 79 was ordered by the Air Council to meet a requirement (Specification 32/22) for a single-engined ambulance landplane for the Royal Air Force.
It was fitted with wings of greater chord and had accommodation for three stretchers and an attendant or two stretchers and four sitting patients.
The Type 79 first flew on 19 March 1924 and was delivered to the RAF, who named the aircraft the Bristol Brandon in 1925.
It was overweight at full load and did not go into overseas service, being used as an ambulance at RAF Halton together with the Avro Andover.
Variants
Bristol Type 62 Ten-Seater
First aircraft, powered by 450 hp (340 kW) Napier Lion engine.
Bristol Type 75
Second aircraft, powered by 425 hp (kW) Bristol Jupiter IV engine.
Bristol Type 79 Brandon
Third aircraft built as a military transport and air ambulance aircraft for the RAF.
