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| One of the first aircraft produced in large numbers for Britain was the Bristol Scout. Based upon Frank Barnwell's pre-war racing plane, it was considered fast and maneuverable when it entered service. The Scout was the first attempt by the Royal Flying Corps to develop a true fighter. Initially unarmed, Lanoe Hawker devised a method for mounting a Lewis gun to the side of the aircraft. In March 1916, the Scout D became the first British fighter to be armed with a synchronized machine gun. Soon outdated by more efficient designs, it was withdrawn from service in the summer of 1916 and used as a trainer.- The highest scoring ace for this aircraft was Charles Bell, an Englishman, with five or more victories.
| | Country: | Great Britain | Manufacturer: | The British & Colonial Aeroplane Company, Ltd. | Type: | Fighter | Entered Service: | November 1915 | Number Built: | 210 | Engine(s): | Le Rhône, air cooled 9 cylinder rotary, 80 hp | Wing Span: | 24 ft 7 in [7.49 m] | Length: | 20 ft 8 in [6.3 m] | Height: | 8 ft 6 in [2.6 m] | Empty Weight: | 760 lbs [345 kg] | Gross Weight: | 1,250 lb [567 kg] | Max Speed: | 100 mph [161 km/h] at sea level | Ceiling: | 16,000 ft [4,877 m] | Endurance: | 2 hours | Crew: | 1 | Armament: | 1 Vickers or Lewis machine gun |
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