A05141 Bristol Bulldog Mk.II

This remarkable 1:48 scale replica of the Bristol Bulldog Mk.II represents one of the key British fighters from the inter-war era. Designed for modellers aged 8 and up, this Skill Level 3 kit includes 120 parts and spans 214mm, bringing this shining silver aircraft to life with meticulous detail. The fighter, crafted by renowned designer Frank Barnwell, featured an all-metal and fabric construction, powered by a 440hp Bristol Jupiter engine, and equipped with twin forward-firing Vickers 0.303" machine guns flanking the cockpit.

Key Features

• 120 piece plastic kit at 1:48 scale with 214mm wingspan
• Skill Level 3 - ideal for modellers aged 8 and above
• Three authentic paint schemes included
• Detailed representation of the Bristol Jupiter engine
• Forward-firing Vickers machine guns accurately reproduced
• Inter-war period RAF fighter in iconic silver finish

History

Originally a private project by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, the Bulldog was conceived by Frank Barnwell, the designer behind the successful Bristol F2B Fighter from the Great War. This lightweight fighter, combining metal and fabric, stood as a significant British aircraft during the inter-war years when biplane fighters dominated the skies.

Despite being the era's most advanced fighter, the Bulldog never engaged in combat during its brief seven-year service with Fighter Command. Instead, it became synonymous with intricate formation flying and breathtaking aerobatics, with the Royal Air Force captivating large audiences at airshows and events across the nation, showcasing the capabilities of a modernising air force.

The Bulldog played a crucial role in advancing Britain's aviation industry, paving the way for the development of sleek monoplane fighters for the Second World War, as it underscored the nearing end of biplane designs. One of the most notable incidents involving a Bristol Bulldog was rather unfortunate, involving a skilled yet impulsive RAF pilot who executed unauthorised low-level aerobatics for spectators at a private airfield in Berkshire. Flying so low that the wingtip touched the ground during a manoeuvre, the Bulldog tumbled across the airfield, causing severe injuries to the pilot - that pilot was future WWII RAF ace and national hero Douglas Bader.