Bristol Bombay - The Forgotten Work Horse 

My dad was an engineer/gunner on Bombays in North Africa before transferring onto Wellingtons. He said that on night bombing raids they would form a line to drop bombs onto the target lit by a pathfinder. As they had to literally throw the bombs out of a door (or hatch), all the aircraft would have the loop around multiple times to get rid of the payload. He and his mate would man the guns until the pilot/navigator told them they were 'approaching target'. They would then rush to the centre of the aircraft and chuck as many bombs out as possible - then back to the guns for the next loop. After hearing such stories, I'm always aware that so much of what we hear about WW2 is about 1944/45 technology. Thanks for the interesting piece!

Given its occasional role as a bomber, you'd think the Bombay would have had a bomb bay.

Apart from the evacuation of the Greek royal family. I knew little of its service. An excellent telling of its immense contribution accompanied by wonderfully sourced photos, thank you.

Never heard of the Bombay. Thanks for expanding my knowledge.

Such a versatile aircraft! I definitely have a soft spot for planes like this that aren't sexy or famous but they just get the job done. I'm an old C-130 crew member so the Bombay gets me in all the right places. I'll bet their crews loved them.

How in the world do you get a middle-aged American to literally tear up over the "courage" of an aircraft? Well done to the Bombay and its crews...

To call the Bombay "fugly" is high praise for such an aeronautical monstrosity. A looker ti was not, but clearly it filled a valuable role in admirable fashion. Thank you for enlightening us about this remarkable aircraft and its sterling service record.

I first became aware of the aircraft when I got to know the pilot of Lt-General Gott's plane when it was shot down and he was killed in August 1942. I'd known of 'Strafer' Gott's death but had not given any thought to the type of aircraft until I met 'Jimmy' James. A very interesting outline of the aircraft's development and service. Thanks for posting.

Ed, I think this may be your best video to date. I knew about this aircraft but I did not know that in this design the words of Churchill rang so true about so many owing so much to so few.

I had know idea about this plane. I'd always seen it and scoffed at its appearance and decided it wasn't worth my attention. This video had completely changed my opinion. It is legendary.

With all the stuff you said Bombays did in ww2 I was expecting a couple hundred built not 50 , wow tough aircraft

I think it did what it said on the tin, what a wonderful aircraft.

1:10 it's like an under-fed Lancaster for really serious off-road camping.

This was a really delightful and informative video. In June 1940 I was evacuated, with my school, from the east coast town where I lived to the west of England. That was in the expectation of a Nazi invasion. (that was considered a real possibility in those critical months.). Some of the joys of those days was the sight of most British aeroplane types. I was then an avid aero-spotter and I seem to remember seeing a Bombay amongst them, By the next year, and months before Pearl Harbour, the sky was increasingly populated by a few American types. A lot of Hudsons and those noisy Harvards. ( I use the British names because they seem more familiar to me). But I did see an Aerocobra and a Boston and I vaguely think a P-38. Amongst the British types I remember seeing were Tiger Moths, Whitleys and a Stirling. I identified the Stirling as a four engined Wellington because it was still on the secret list. Those were very interesting times. I wonder if one of the Miles Magisters I saw then was one I eventually flew in 1960 or so. I did not actually see any German planes but I did hear some that were on their way to bomb Coventry. On that subject, My mum gave me a letter she got from my teacher in response to her enquiry about my welfare. ( I was a bit slow about writing home). The teachers reply was that the school was quite safe. Only a few bombs were dropped but they were some miles away. I did enjoy this video about the Bombay.

I too find myself guilty of overlooking this type due to its rather outdated appearance and limited production run. But yes it appears to have been a admirably robust aircraft that offered comparable load and range performance to the Luftwaffe"s Ju 52 and would one suspects have proved easily useful in RAF service had production not been curtailed. I suppose a ruthless concentration on bomber manufacturing and the promise of superior US transport types becoming available led to its downfall. Yet another excellent video.

So much history for so few actual planes made wow

WOW! Ed, never heard of it before your video. Excellent reportage of a remarkable airplane. The "rough" airfield requirement for STOL-type capabilities is reminiscent of several other types you have recorded. I don't think most of us appreciate the thought that went into designing and building "colonial" aircraft (Dutch, British, et al) in the run-up to WW2. Thank you so much!

Almost 100 years later, I still love the 1930s aircraft designs! This Bombay still looks "right" to me. Semper Fi, TreeTop

Wow! Really impressive. Initially and purposefully designed for rough country operations and STOL. Magnificent!

Wow. This the kind of story I come here to see!

Again I learned something from Mr. Nash. Brilliant episode on a very versatile airplane.

Another wonderful video. Honestly, I had never heard of the Bombay, which with only 50 ever built isn't surprising. Your research is, once again, outstanding.

Mate, you amaze me with your site. I have never heard of the Bombay and without your fantastic information I’d never have learnt them. I am in your debt.

Another plane I'd never heard of with a very interesting history, thanks.

It's seems something of a travesty that this aircraft has been forgotten. What an incredible record of service.

Had an older cousin who's thing was less famous, preferably obscure pre war and WW2 British military aircraft. He would research them and go to great lengths to find it's plastic model. Tougher than it sounds pre internet. He had a board with pictures from books of some of the aircraft he was looking for and the Bombay was among them. I can clearly remember the shape but especially the landing gear. Cannot remember if he ever got his Bombay model aircraft.

Well done for giving another forgotten hero it’s due. Similar in appearance was the H.P. Harrow, designed as a heavy bomber but fated to perform a large number of roles including the little-known air to air refuelling of the Short Empire flying boats enabling their transatlantic flights in the 1930’s.

I'd never heard of this stalwart workhorse before. So glad you did this video about it.

well done Ed, all new to me and sounds like every mission these unsung hero's flew could be made into a spectacular movie, i'd love to hear more stories about not just aircraft but missions they flew, i mean those 2 Bombays recycled for successful escape missions from france pre dunkirk both by future flying aces is incredible, thanks

Great insights, real unrated workhorses, especially the recovery stories from France 1940, which each deserve a episode on their own

Excellent review of an overlooked workhorse of the RAF! Thank you.

Super video. It's great to hear these accounts of the lesser known aircraft and their crews and where they served. Another valuable contribution to aviation history.

Thanks Ed. I did know about this workhorse but had no idea how versatile it was , and the small numbers built. Thanks Ed.

Anyone who has flown a Cessna Caravan or a DeHavilland Twin Otter will tell you a fixed landing gear is a blessing. Forget aesthetics.

I'm looking forward to researching this aircraft now that I know of it's existence .

Thanks for this informative video. I had heard of the Bombay, but always thought it was an out-dated 1930’s bomber of little significance . Now I know differently. It may not have been glamorous, but it played it’s part.

Thanks for this video Ed. I was aware of this aircraft when I read about the death of Lt General William Gott who was killed in a Bombay, Gott was due to take over command of the Eighth Army at the time, he was replaced by a certain Bernard Montgomery ! The story of Gott's death in the Bombay was quite interesting as it was probably an assassination by Me 109s. A real 'what if' moment. After reading about the Bombay, I purchased the Valom 1/72 scale kit of this aircraft which I recommend if anyone is interested.

Well done that man. You have the best aviation channel in this niche.

Thanks Ed. This totally changed my mind about the Bombay. I thought that it was merely a relic of the past pushed into futile service as an act of desperation.

I recently read a book "Rogue Heros" about the origins of the SAS and that initial raid in the desserts of North Africa. It was an amazing turning point and the birthing of the SAS itself. As much of a disaster as it was, the leutenant who organized the raid was immediately promoted and directed to create and the SAS and select only the most capable men to participate. They would walk in the dessert for days without water as part of their training. I had never heard of the Bombay until now. Remarkable!!! Seeing that photo of the first "airborne" service men leaves me speechless. What a credit to history. Thanks so much for making this video!!!

Whoa, a totally unsung hero of the air war. Thanks!

Excellent video, thank you. Imagine what could have been done if 100 were in service in 1939 - logistics are almost always underestimated until a real conflict starts.

It has more than a touch of the Armstrong Whitworth Whitley about it, except the Bombay had fixed undercarriage and had shoulder-mounted wings, where the Whitley's were more mid-section. Glad someone has covered the Bombay at last!

That was amazing, thank you, never heard of the Bombay, it must score as a hero in British aviation history.

Thanks for that. I'd never heard of it and yet it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that its role in the war was crucial. Truly an unsung hero...

A great tribute to a lovely old workhorse. As British as they come.

Thank you Ed. Great video. What a wonderful aircraft. And only 50 built? I don't think it looked antiquated as such. It might do as a bomber. But as a rugged go anywhere transport it was probably ahead of its time.

that was a good one! I knew nothing about this aircraft. Now I do. Thanks.

I'm a pilot and this has always been the one aircraft I wish I could fly. Almost Russian in it's simplicity and effectiveness, but without being crude

never in the field of air transport has so much, been schlepped by so few, to so many locations.

Nice that you covered this aircraft. I've had the Contrail kit for twenty some years.

Never heard of it but man that plane is badass

all of this from 50 aircraft, amazing

Lovely old aircraft, love it. @3.57- I think it looks elegant. Amazing story about a plane I had never heard of.

Thank you for another entertaining and informative video. Well Done!

what an unsung hero!!! thanks so much for the information!! good to know it was built in Belfast!!! 😉

I had no idea. Thanks. To bad they didn't build more of them. One thing about those transport aircraft - there were never enough of them. Given it's design - I can see where it could have really been valuable in any number of places, being able to get in and out where other aircraft couldn't. The Kokoda Track comes to mind ... All they'd need was a small flat spot. They might have been able to make one. An aircraft like this would have been invaluable there. .

A very overlooked aircraft!

The most remarkable aircraft I never heard about.

Really interesting, I never realised that a few Bombays had done so much

Thanks for covering yet another of the obscure workhorses of the war, I've really come to look forward to your next video releases!

Interesting video, it’s like Forgotten Weapons of the air.😎

Nicely said Ed! Never heard about this aircraft but it deserves it's place in history. Thanks for bringing it up!

Thank you for your research on the Bristol Bombay and its history. The layout, especially the planform of the wing reminds me of The Bristol Freighter, a stalwart of the post war freight types.

The first time that I heard of the Bombay , was in Ginger Lacy's biography when he describes seeing a Bombay crash in France killing most of the squadrons spare pilots. From there on I considered it to be quite useless . Thank you for redressing the balance .

i had never heard of the Bristol Bombay. Obviously, my British WW II aircraft knowledge base was lacking. Thank you for this video.

Bonus points for the Dean Winchester cameo. Supernatural FTW!

"... Somewhat presumptuous..." I love listening to you.

This really makes a pair with your coverage of the Vickers Wellesley- two only dimly familiar configurations even to those who used to pore over picture books of aircraft, yet fascinating stories both of their development and yeoman service.

Thank you for posting

Incredibly interesting. Thanks for putting this very informative video together.

1:51 I love that guy in the bottom-left, casually looking out the window like he's on a scenic flight! So British!

These videos on obscure aircraft are much more interesting than the more famous aircraft.

Most impressive statistic: the 6,000 wounded troops medevac'd to give them at least a hope of recovery. Respect.

Why was this aircraft not developed. What a champion.

A superb, interesting and educational video. Ed, you just get better and better. Brilliant!

Cracking stuff again Ed. Thanks.

What a cool looking airplane, I wouldn't mind having one of those.

O have always loved. Aircraft and have never even heard of the Bombay. Thank you for correcting this. 👍

Love the video's about these unsung heroes. Another cracking effort

This would be a pretty cool rc-plane if built for a larger scale, "get lost jets, here comes my bombay..."

Great a breakfast video. Interesting and informative. An aircraft type that gave important service away from the spotlight. Thanks

Thank You for bringing this amazing aircraft to my attention. 👍

I love the Bombay, one of my favourite planes.

Well done, well done. I really enjoy your channel. Great research!

Wonderfully insightful piece. I knew of the aircraft and that it was used in North Africa but had no idea how painful it had been to get it made. Imagine Bristol getting the go ahead in 1935 - the RAF could have had maybe two to three hundred by the outbreak of war - even allowing for Blenheim and later Beaufort production.

Excellent, thanks John! I think I know a lot about British aircraft, yet I don't recall even hearing about this one before. Great video!

A great page of totally unknown history !

Wow! This was great. Thanks for sharing!

I had heard of the Bombay but only really in the context of Op Squatter. Thank you for broadening my knowledge, and for your usual quite excellent presentation of a piece of aviation history.

It is similar in configuration to the Bristol Freighter, which played a big part in opening up the Canadian North. The Freighter had a swing-open nose section to load outsized cargo, including vehicles.

Another interesting aircraft pulled out of obscurity. Excellent! TFP

Was not expecting to see Dean Winchester in the video, but the comedic timing was perfect 🤣

So is this where the classic line "Breakfast in London, Lunch in New York and Luggage in Bombay" came from :D

Fantastic, so interesting! Thanks!

Thanks for the information!

A classic! Excellent but forgotten…

So practical, I fell'll in love with it!

Great work Sir thank you

i am so happy to have been enlightened on this spectacular aircraft