In 1909, Bristolian businessman Sir George White witnessed the Wright brothers demonstrate their pioneering flying machine in France. Inspired by the concept of powered flight, the Bristol Tramways and Carriage Company founder decided that he too should develop aircraft alongside his tram operations. By February the following year, the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company (BCAC) had been established – it was the first days and weeks of a remarkable century of aviation at Filton. That incredible heritage is today celebrated at Aerospace Bristol.
It all started with BCAC’s first aircraft, a licence-built French design called the Zodiac. It wasn’t a great success, but experience gained enabled designers to come up with a far better machine. The Bristol Challenger Biplane (Bristol Boxkite) was in 1910 the first successful commercially-produced aircraft to be designed and developed at Filton. Sir George died in November 1916, but the company went on to develop famous aircraft including World War One’s Bristol F.2b Fighter and then, of course, the Blenheim and Beaufighter, so prevalent in World War Two. The company also produced some famous aircraft engines, such as the Mercury and C…
