Bristol 164 Brigand

A robust strike aircraft used by the RAF in Malaya, served well in the post-war campaign.

Bristol Brigand (RH811) air to air

The Brigand followed on from the Bristol Beaufighter and was similarly aimed at the torpedo-carrying fighter and strike aircraft role. Primarily designed for an ant-shipping / ground attack aircraft it was also utilised as a dive-bomber. Designed by Leslie J Frise against specification H.7/42, it was concieved as a faster edition of the Beaufighter utilising the wings, tail and underacrriage designs from the Buckingham.

The Brigand was a three-crew aircraft and was configured to carry a torpedo and rocket projectiles. Ultimately, most were deployed (B.1) in a light bomber / strike role with bombs, four forward-firing cannons and rocket projectiles.

The Brigand prototype (MX988) was first flown on 4th December 1944.

Four prototypes and 143 production aircraft were built of which 118 were completed as TF.Mk.1 or B.Mk.1 and 16 as Met.Mk.3 (for meteorological flights). The remainder were T.Mk.4 and T.Mk.5 Operational Trainers and many early Mark 1 aircraft were also subsequently converted to these latter roles.

The type served operationally in the Malaya campaign, where the aircraft was found to be both popular and robust until it was eventually superseded by the De Havilland Hornet and the English Electric Canberra in February 1953.

Bristol Brigand Image Gallery

Bristol Brigand

Bristol Brigand TF.MkI (RH746)

Bristol Brigand production

Bristol Brigand production with engine being hoisted into position.jpg

Bristol Brigand

Bristol Brigand TF.MkI (RH742)

Specification (B.Mk.1)

Powerplant (2)	Two 2,470 hp Centaurus 57 with Methanol injection
Span	72 ft 4 in
Maximum Weight	39,000 lb
Capacity and armament	Three crew. Four 20 mm Hispano cannon, 2,000 lb bomb load, or 500 lb bombs plus 8 60 lb rocket projectiles
Maximum Speed	358 mph
Endurance / Range	2,000 miles (2,800 miles with drop tanks)

Variants

Type 164 Brigand 4 built	Prototype with Centarus VII engines
Brigand TF.1 11 built	Production variant Torpedo Bomber
Brigand B.1 106 built, 11 conversions	Bomber variant
Brigand MET.3 16 built	Unarmed reconnaissance variant
Brigand T.4 9 built	Trainer variant with airborne interception radar
Brigand T.5 9 conversions	Improved Trainer variant

Survivors

0	No complete Brigand aircraft survive.

Bristol 164 Brigand

Specification (B.Mk.1)

Variants

Survivors

Other information