It was common practice for many years, for the latest Air Staff Requirements to meet a need to replace types which, at best were still in testing, or had only just flown for the first time. Typical of this mindset was Specification F.18/37, calling for a high-speed single seat fighter to replace both the Hurricane and Spitfire, with a heavier armament, in the shape of twelve 0.303-in (7.7-mm) machine-guns. This specification was released in early 1938 for tender, a time where both types were only just entering, or about to enter service. The first type I will cover from this specification was the entry from Bristol. The Bristol F.18/37 was offered with alternative engine choices. These were two water-cooled in-line engines, in the shape of the Napier Sabre and the Rolls-Royce Vulture, and the sole air-cooled radial selection being the recently developed Centaurus, which began ground testing in 1938, although it was not to go into full production until 1942. The length of the Centaurus version, as seen in the accompanying three-view drawing, was 30ft 0in and the wingspan was 42ft 0in. The armament required, as per the specification, was located in the wings with six machine-guns in each wing, spaced in four groups with the inner and outer example being on their own and the other four paired in two groups. Performance figures unfortunately are not available.
Posted on: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 21:22:47 +0000
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