|
|
The Bristol Buckmaster was an advanced trainer closely related to the Bristol Buckingham bomber. It was basically an unarmed version of the Buckingham equipped with dual controls. The first prototype, which flew on 27 October 1944 was actually a converted Buckingham, and all 110 Buckmasters were constructed from unneeded Buckmaster parts.
The Buckmaster was the most powerful training aircraft to see RAF service during the Second World War. Stripped of its guns and bomb carrying capacity, it actually had a higher speed than the Buckingham, and performed a valuable role in helping new pilots progress from the lower powered training aircraft to the high speed aircraft then in use in the RAF. The Buckmaster was the ideal aircraft to train pilots for the Bristol Brigand, which entered service just after the end of the war, having a very close family resemblance to that aircraft.
Statistics
Engine: Bristol Centaurus VII
Horsepower: 2,520hp each
Span: 71ft 10in
Length: 46ft 5in
Max Speed: 352mph at 12,000 ft
Range: 2,000 miles
Ceiling: 30,000 feet