The Bristol Scout was one of the first single seat biplanes produced by Britain during World War I. The design was based on a pre-war racing plane and it was considered extremely fast and maneuverable when it was introduced.
The Scout was intended for reconnaissance and was officially unarmed. In June, 1915, Captain Lanoe Hawker and mechanic Ernest Elton invented a way to mount a Lewis machine gun next to the cockpit on Scout number 1611. On his next flight, Hawker shot down two German planes and became the first pilot to receive the Victoria Cross.
The Bristol Scout was eventually replaced by better fighters after 1916, although some continued in service until the end of the war.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Country of Manufacture | Great Britain |
| First Year of Service | 1915 |
| Wing Span | 27.3 ft | 8.3 m |
| Length | 19.7 ft | 6 m |
| Height | 8.5 ft | 2.6 m |
| Weight | 1250lbs | 567 kg |
| Engine | Le Rhone 9 cylinder air-cooled rotary engine, 80hp |
| Top Speed | 100 mph | 161 km/h |
| Range | 200 miles | 320 km |
| Armament | None |
| Crew | 1 |