Blackburn B-3 M.1/30

The Blackburn B-3 was one of three types ordered by the Air Ministry. for evaluation as a torpedo-bomber against Specification M.1/30, which sought a replacement for the Blackburn Ripon.

 

Blackburn Aircraft Company, Handley Page and Vickers Aviation responded with prototypes being ordered from each company. Of the two aircraft built by Blackburn Aircraft Company, the first (S1640) was subject to the official contract and was known throughout its life as the M.1/30.

 

It comprised of a pilot and observer/ gunner, who were seated in tandem cockpits, with the observer being able to access a prone bomb aiming position below the pilot’s cockpit floor. 

 

Construction was conventional, with a metal structure and fabric covering to both wings and fuselage. Unusually, the tailplane was mounted just above the top decking of the rear fuselage, whilst the wings could be folded to the rear, being hinged around their rear spar attachments. A wide track undercarriage allowed for torpedo carriage beneath the fuselage, whilst bomb racks were provided beneath the wings.

 

It was powered by an 825 hp liquid-cooled Rolls-Royce Buzzard engine, driving a 15 ft diameter, two blade propeller and it flew for the first time at Brough on 8th March 1932.

 

After completion of manufacturer trials, the Blackburn M.1./30 was delivered to Martlesham Heath for official trials, commencing on 29th January 1933. Unfortunately, it suffered an accident on 30th June 1933, reported as due to engine failure on take-off, and was it written off.

 

 

Meanwhile, Blackburn Aircraft had decided to build a second prototype, this time as a private venture and incorporating a number of improvements. This differed from the 1st prototype in having a metal, semi-monocoque fuselage, incorporating sealed compartments to provide buoyancy. It carried a Class B Civil Test Registration (B-3) although it soon became known as the Blackburn M.1/30A and was flown for the first time on 24th February 1933.

 

 

Among the other changes introduced were a reduction in wing area of some 70 sq ft, achieved by reducing both the span and chord of the lower wings. The aircraft was also fitted with automatic slats and featured long-span ailerons that could also be lowered symmetrically, to act as camber-changing flaps. A third cockpit was also introduced for a dedicated rear gunner, as well as a sealed structural fuel compartment, which was introduced within the fuselage ahead of the pilot.

 

The Official Trials at Martlesham Heath commenced on 14th March 1933, where the type was condemned for having heavy controls and being overweight. The fuel-filled fuselage compartment was also strongly criticised although the sealed buoyancy compartments were regarded as favourable.

 

 

This resulted in the aircraft being taken on charge in May 1933 (as K3591), and in January 1934, it was transferred to the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment, specifically for ditching trials.

 

The aircraft was eventually salvaged after these trials, returning to the manufacturers for the assessment of the effects of saltwater corrosion.

 

Following this, the aircraft was sold as scrap.