Bristol Bombay

The Bristol Bombay, designed by the Bristol Aeroplane Company as the Type 130, was a twin-engined, high-wing monoplane built to Air Ministry Specification C.26/31 as a troop transport that could double as a medium bomber. It was meant to replace the biplane Vickers Valentia in the Middle East and India, carrying 24 troops or an equivalent cargo load. Its wing, with seven spars and a stressed metal skin, came out of Bristol research prompted by the aileron reversal problems of the earlier Bagshot. The prototype flew in June 1935, but production aircraft were built by Short and Harland in Belfast because Bristol's Filton works was busy with the Blenheim, and deliveries only began in 1939. The Bombay served mainly with No. 216 Squadron RAF in the Middle East, flying as a transport and, early in the Second World War, as an improvised night bomber.