Bristol Bombay (oz17005)

About this Plan

Bristol Bombay. Free flight scale twin model for rubber power. Wingspan 36 in.

Quote: "BRISTOL BOMBAY.

The Bristol Bombay was a British troop transport aircraft adaptable for use as a medium bomber flown by the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War.

Design and development: The Bristol Bombay was built to Air Ministry Specification C.26/31 which called for a monoplane bomber-transport aircraft to replace the Vickers Valentia biplane in use in the Middle East and India. The aircraft was required to be capable of carrying 24 troops or an equivalent load of cargo as a transport, while carrying bombs and defensive guns for use as a bomber...

For more detailed history of the Bristol Bombay check out Dinger Aviation https://www.dingeraviation.net/bristol/bombay.html

CONSTRUCTION: The fuselage is built using the box method. The first side is built over the plan using 3/32”sq longerons, uprights and cross members. Once the first side is built and dry, build the second side over the first so you have two identical sides. When the second side is dry separate the two sides and over the plan view with the sides inverted add the cross members. Once the box is completed you can add the 1/16” sheet formers to the top and bottom of the box which will round out the fuselage. As or the turrets I’ll leave you to your preferred method. I usually carve plugs to be vacuum formed or plunged molded. The Mk III has different turrets from the previous models if you desire an earlier type.

WING: The wing is constructed using the Dave Rees’ Sliced Rib technique. Mike Stuart has a great tutorial on this technique here: https://www.ffscale.co.uk/rees.htm Use the dimensions on the plan to build you wing using this technique. This builds a strong and light wing. Don’t forget the 1.5” dihedral under each wing tip and the washout at the trailing edge. I add the washout while the wing is flat on the building board. I then cut the spars and block up the wingtips to 1.5” dihedral.

ENGINES: The radial engine cowlings are made using the method Mike Stuart has a tutorial for on his site: https://www.ffscale.co.uk/cowling.htm You’re free to make the cowling if you have a preferred method. I usually tweak a plan when I build someone else’s plan. I leave the rear of the nacelles open because they’re short and add a motor hook at the trailing edge. This compensates for the shortness of motor length.

EMPENNAGE: The horizontal stab is made using 3/32”sq and sheet balsa. Note the wider strip of sheet balsa under the area of the vertical stabs.

The vertical stabs are built using 3 laminations of 1/32”x3/32” strips of balsa around the former from the plan. I use foam board but thick balsa works as well. L usually wrap the former with Teflon plumbers tape.. l found it cheap at the Dollar Store, it works great. The 1/16” vertical spar is added after the outline has dried. I then add 3/32” sq strips to each side of the vertical star to make the slot for the horizontal stab. Then add the 1/32”x1/8” strip ribs, attaching them to the L.E, spar and T.E., alternating from side to side to keep the tension even on the stab. Once this is dry you can remove the section of the vertical spar for the horizontal stab. This builds a much better looking vertical stab (IMO) than a slab of balsa sheet.

This aircraft was a real workhorse for the RAF but I had never heard of it till Andy requested it.

Regards,
Tom Akery/Sky9pilot"

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Quote: "Steve and Mary, Here's the plan requested by Andy Snelson on the posting of my Bristol Brigand (oz16450) plan. I wasn't able to get to it till recently. So enclosed find the PDF, build notes .

Thanks for your wonderful site and I'm still discovering new things all the time.
Regards,
Tom Akery"

Supplementary file notes

Build notes.

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