Ed Storo's Bristol Bulldog
Ed's Bristol Bulldog has flown! Ed took off on June 27th and he reported that with only partial throttle, the Bulldog jumped into the air. This is just an incredible achievement.
As of early July, Ed has an hour and a half in the air. Check out Ed's first flight video here...
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Ed Storo of Netarts Oregon, a member of EAA 292, is building what will be the only flying Bristol Bulldog in the world. He began in 2000, was expecting it to take ten years and he is nearing completion after seventeen years. Below is a picture of an original Bulldog, but there are none flying any more.
Previously he built a replica a 1917 Bristol F.2B Fighter. The aircraft took seven years to build and was first flown in 1993. The fuselage features chrome-molybdinium tubing and is based on an Australian replica. However the wings, tail, undercarriage and other assemblies were all built from Bristol drawing and could be fitted to an original. The only Accommodations to modern practicalities are the inclusion of brakes and a small tailwheel. The replica is powered by a 200hp Ranger 440-5 engine which is installed in an upright position - which suits the propeller and cowl configuration of the F.2B. The replica is painted in RAF colours and carries the serial J7624. The F.2B replica was imported into New Zealand in 2001 Click on the image below to see it in flight.
The Bulldog was the first all-metal British fighter first introduced in 1929. Some were still flying in the early days of WWII. There are still two in existence, one in England and one in Finland, but neither are flyable.
There are no plans for the Bulldog. Ed has had to create each part from photos and partial descriptions.
The original was powered by a Pratt and Whitney Jupiter engine, but there are none of these in running condition. So Ed is using a P&W Wasp of the same vintage. It is a 9 cylinder 450-500 hp engine.
Below are photos of the project. At this time (early 2017) the surfaces are being covered.
