Bristol M.1 Monoplane 1916 (replica)
In the early days of aviation, aircraft designers were undecided on how many pairs of wings were most efficient. Most early planes were biplanes, but triplanes and monoplanes also had their advantages and disadvantages. One of the main benefits of a monoplane was the reduced air resistance from omitting the second wing and all the struts and wires needed to keep the structure rigid. The Bristol M.1 was very fast for its day - it could reach a dizzying 130 mph, significantly faster than its German contemporary, the Fokker Eindecker. However, the Bristol Monoplane was regarded with suspicion by the Royal Flying Corps, not least because its high landing speed of almost 50 mph was felt to be too fast to use in the small French WW1 airfields of the day, and not many were built. This replica dates from 1997 and has an original 1917 engine fitted - owned and operated by the Shuttleworth Collection.
Bristol M.1 Monoplane 1916 (replica)
In the early days of aviation, aircraft designers were undecided on how many pairs of wings were most efficient. Most early planes were biplanes, but triplanes and monoplanes also had their advantages and disadvantages. One of the main benefits of a monoplane was the reduced air resistance from omitting the second wing and all the struts and wires needed to keep the structure rigid. The Bristol M.1 was very fast for its day - it could reach a dizzying 130 mph, significantly faster than its German contemporary, the Fokker Eindecker. However, the Bristol Monoplane was regarded with suspicion by the Royal Flying Corps, not least because its high landing speed of almost 50 mph was felt to be too fast to use in the small French WW1 airfields of the day, and not many were built. This replica dates from 1997 and has an original 1917 engine fitted - owned and operated by the Shuttleworth Collection.