AIRCRAFT COLOURS AND MARKINGS OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR ERA

Bristol M.1B/C


The usual comment on the Bristol M.1 is that it represents the ineptness of high command in recognizing new developments and remaining fixed on old ideas. From the time it first flew in July 1916 it proved itself to have a decent performance rumours about the new aircraft soon reached the front where high hopes were entertained. However there was a predjudice against monoplanes at RFC headquarters and the type was destined to be relegated to the sideshows of Palestine (No.111 Sqn), Macedonia (Nos. 17, 47 and 150 Sqns), Mesopotamia (No.72 Sqn) and Persia (No.63 Sqn postwar). IN the UK it saw use with training units and 12 M.1Cs were sent to Chile in October 1918. It is one of the 'big-ifs' of the aerial war as to how the Bristol M1 would have performed had it been used in France as most of those who flew were full of praise and it remained a firm favourite of instructors.
130 Bristol M.1s were built as follows
M.1A - A5138
M.1B - A5139-A5141
M.1C - A5142, C4901-C5025
Visually the main difference between the M.1B and the M.1C is the M.1B had its Vickers gun on the port side of the fuselage, while the M.1C had its gun mounted centrally
The ex-works finish for the M.1C was the usual PC10/CDL/grey combination. Later many were given a coat of aluminum dope and additional elaborate schemes were worn at the various training schools - some of which are shown here. On the M.1B there was a thin white line connecting the two footholes on the fuselage.



Typical exworks finish

 


Bristol M.1B A5140

No.111 Sqn RFC
Late 1917
Source: Bristol M1 Profile #193
updated 2013

Bristol M.1B A5141

No.111 Sqn RFC
Late 1917
Source: Datafile No.52 (Bristol M.1)


Bristol M1c w/top view

No.72 Sqn RFC

Source: Bristol M1 Profile (#193)
updated 2013

 


Bristol M1C C9412
Lt K B Mosely
No.150 Sqn RAF
July 1918
Source: Profile #193
updated 2013


Bristol M.1C C4940 w/top view

No.1 School of Air Fighting
Spring 1918
Source: Datafile No.52 (Bristol M1c)

 


Bristol M.1C C4940 w/top view

No.1 School of Air Fighting
1918
Source: Datafile No.52 (Bristol M1c)

Bristol M.1C C5014 w/top view

No.1 School of Air Fighting
1918
Source: Datafile No.52 (Bristol M1c)

Bristol M.1C C4960 w/top view

No.1 School of Air Fighting
April 1918
Source: Datafile No.52 (Bristol M1c)

Bristol M.1C C4995

No.2 School of Air Fighting
Summer 1918
Source: Datafile No.52 (Bristol M1c)