Bristol Primary Trainer

In 1922, the Bristol Aeroplane Company developed a pair of related light aircraft designs, powered by the Bristol Lucifer three-cylinder radial engine, the Type 73 Taxiplane, a three-seat light utility aircraft and tourer, and the Type 83 Primary Trainer, a two-seat trainer intended for use for primary training at Reserve Flying Schools.{{Cite book |author=Barnes, C.H.|title=Bristol Aircraft Since 1910 |edition =First |publisher=Putnam |location= London|year=1964 }}

The Taxiplane was constructed of wood with fabric covering, and was fitted with single-bay biplane wings. It carried two passengers side by side in a cockpit behind the pilot. The first Taxiplane, registered G-EBEW, flew on 13 February 1923, but could be certificated only as a two-seater, being overweight with two passengers and a pilot. Only two more Taxiplanes were built.{{cite book |last= Jackson|first= A.J.|title= British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 1|year= 1974|publisher= Putnam|location= London|isbn=0-370-10006-9 }}

The Primary Trainer, also known as the Bristol Lucifer used the same wings, tail and undercarriage as the Taxiplane, but with a new, narrower fuselage containing two tandem cockpits. The Primary Trainer showed better performance owing to its slimmer fuselage and lower weight, and was more successful, 24 being built.

A further aircraft, the Bristol Type 83E, was built as a testbed for development of the five-cylinder Bristol Titan radial engine.

The first six Primary Trainers entered service with the Reserve Flying School at Filton in July 1923, continuing in service until December 1931, when they were replaced by de Havilland Moths. One of the surviving aircraft was modified as a three-seater and was used for sightseeing. It was scrapped in December 1933.

The remainder of the Type 83s were produced for export, with twelve being sold to Chile, five to Hungary and one to Bulgaria, all in 1926.

;Type 73 Taxiplane

:Three-seat light aircraft. Powered by 100 hp (80 kW) Bristol Lucifer engine, three built.

;Type 83 Primary Trainer

:Two-seat tandem trainer, 24 built.

;Type 83E

:Testbed for 250 hp (190 kW) Bristol Titan engine, one built.

;{{flag|Bulgaria|1878}}

• Bulgarian Air Force received one aircraft.

;{{CHI}}

• Chilean Air Force received 12 aircraft.

;{{flag|Hungary|1920}}

• Hungarian Air Force received five aircraft.

;{{UK}}

• Filton Reserve Flying School

{{Aircraft specs

|ref=Bristol Aircraft Since 1910.

|prime units?=imp

|crew=2

|length ft=24

|length in=4

|length note=

|span ft=31

|span in=1

|span note=

|height ft=8

|height in=10

|height note=

|wing area sqft=284

|wing area note=

|aspect ratio=

|airfoil=

|empty weight lb=1340

|empty weight note=

|gross weight lb=1900

|gross weight note=

|max takeoff weight lb=

|max takeoff weight note=

|fuel capacity=

|more general=

|eng1 number=1

|eng1 name=Bristol Lucifer

|eng1 type=3-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine

|eng1 hp=120–140

|eng1 note=

|prop blade number=2

|prop name=fixed-pitch propeller

|prop dia ft=

|prop dia in=

|prop dia note=

|max speed mph=96

|max speed note=

|cruise speed mph=

|cruise speed note=

|stall speed mph=

|stall speed note=

|never exceed speed mph=

|never exceed speed note=

|range miles=

|range note=

|ferry range miles=

|ferry range note=

|endurance=

|ceiling ft=

|ceiling note=

|climb rate ftmin=

|climb rate note=

|time to altitude=

|lift to drag=

|wing loading lb/sqft=6.69

|wing loading note=

|fuel consumption lb/mi=

|power/mass=

|more performance=

}}

{{commons category}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite journal |last1=Anderson|first1=Lennart|title=La renaissance de l'aviation militair bulgare dans les années vingt|journal=Avions |date=November–December 2019 |issue=232|pages=52–66 |trans-title=The Rebirth of Bulgarian Military Aviation in the Twenties|language=French |issn=1243-8650}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070930182746/http://www.britishaircraft.co.uk/aircraftpage.php?ID=154 Bristol Primary Trainer] – British Aircraft Directory

{{Bristol aircraft}}

Category:1920s British civil utility aircraft

Primary Trainer

Category:Biplanes

Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft

Category:Aircraft first flown in 1923