M1-C CASE

THE M-1C's

 

On the Western Front during 1916 the need for a new high performance fighter with a reliable armament became obvious with the mounting casualties among pilots and observers. To redress the balance Captain Barnwell of The British and Colonial Aircraft Company (Bristol) designed a superior single seat Scout prototype the M.1A as a private venture which was very maneuverable and achieved 132mph with a modest 110hp Clerget rotary engine. On service trails it demonstrated an outstanding performance and delightful handling. The final M.1C version with a a single synchronized Vickers mg underwent a six week evaluation in France where rumours of its existence and performance reached RFC pilots eager for the new ‘secret weapon’ which would restore Air superiority over the Western Front.

Strange as it may seem it never arrived as despite its superb performance it had one fatal ‘flaw’ it was a monoplane a type the War Office were prejudiced against still believing them fundamentally dangerous. Consequence a mere 125 were grudgingly ordered  with  claims that its landing speed of 49 mph was dangerously high and further more were not sent to be sent to the Western Front. In the event only 35 saw action in Macedonia and the Middle East in 1917 and the rest went to Flying Schools. Official prejudice had denied what could have been one of the most outstanding aircraft of its time the recognition it deserved but it did have one last claim to fame when in 1918 the RFC was reformed it became the first monoplane fighter operated by the RAF.  

 

 Bristol M.1C C4994 (CFS inc. separate AI Drone)



This Bristol M1C depicts an aircraft of an unidentified training unit in which they had become the prized personal mounts of the Senior Officers and Instructors who often decorated them in individualistic paint schemes. Circa 1918. A replica of this aircraft is exhibited at the RAF Museum Hendon.

M1-C

    CFS2/FS2002

 CFS2/FS2002 Panel
M1C_C4994_cfsfs2002.zip bristol_panel.zip
978 KB 117 KB
24/03/2004 19/05/2002

Designed by E & R Allen
with animated controls & moving parts 

 Designed by Rick Brown

Of the 125 Bristol M.1Cs constructed only the 35 sent to Macedonia and the Middle East in 1917 saw action mainly in the ground attack role where they ran rings round the opposition (on one occasion two  pilots put up such a fearsome display of aerobatics that a complete Kurdish tribe defected to the allies). Five squadrons were equipped for active service with the M.1C in Salonika and operated against the Turks and Bulgars. The rest were used by Flying Schools where they frequently became the prized personal mounts of the Senior Officers and Instructors. Six others served with the Chilean Air Force from 1917 where one piloted by Lt. Godoy became the first aircraft to cross the Andes on 12/12/18. Six others served with the Chilean Air Force from 1917 where one piloted by Lt. Godoy became the first aircraft to cross the Andes on 12/12/18.
 

 

 Bristol M.1C C4940 (CFS inc. separate AI Drone)



This Bristol M1C, which was later clear doped and flown from Turnberry, is depicted in the gaudy paint scheme of an unidentified Training Unit where the M1C’s had became the prized personal mounts of the Senior Officers and Instructors who often decorated them in highly individualistic paint schemes.  Circa 1918. 

M1-C

    CFS2/FS2002

 CFS2/FS2002 Panel
m1c40fs2_2002.zip bristol_panel.zip
671 KB 117 KB
14/12/2002 19/05/2002

Designed by E & R Allen
with animated controls & moving parts 

 Designed by Rick Brown

Of the 125 Bristol M.1Cs constructed only the 35 sent to Macedonia and the Middle East in 1917 saw action mainly in the ground attack role where they ran rings round the opposition (on one occasion two  pilots put up such a fearsome display of aerobatics that a complete Kurdish tribe defected to the allies). Five squadrons were equipped for active service with the M.1C in Salonika and operated against the Turks and Bulgars. The rest were used by Flying Schools where they frequently became the prized personal mounts of the Senior Officers and Instructors. Six others served with the Chilean Air Force from 1917 where one piloted by Lt. Godoy became the first aircraft to cross the Andes on 12/12/18. Six others served with the Chilean Air Force from 1917 where one piloted by Lt. Godoy became the first aircraft to cross the Andes on 12/12/18.
 

 

 Bristol M.1C (CFS inc. separate AI Drone)



This Bristol M1C 'C4918' is painted to represent an aircraft of 72 Squadron flown in Mesopotamia during 1918.  
A replica G-BWJM constructed from original plans by the Northern Aeroplane Workshops between 1980 and 1997 for the Shuttleworth Collection now flies in these markings at Old Warden.

M1-C

    CFS2/FS2002
m1cfs2_2002.zip
790 KB
19/01/2002

Designed by E & R Allen
with animated controls & moving parts 

Of the 125 Bristol M.1Cs constructed only the 35 sent to Macedonia and the Middle East in 1917 saw action mainly in the ground attack role where they ran rings round the opposition (on one occasion two  pilots put up such a fearsome display of aerobatics that a complete Kurdish tribe defected to the allies). Five squadrons were equipped for active service with the M.1C in Salonika and operated against the Turks and Bulgars. The rest were used by Flying Schools where they frequently became the prized personal mounts of the Senior Officers and Instructors. Six others served with the Chilean Air Force from 1917 where one piloted by Lt. Godoy became the first aircraft to cross the Andes on 12/12/18. Six others served with the Chilean Air Force from 1917 where one piloted by Lt. Godoy became the first aircraft to cross the Andes on 12/12/18.