DAN SHUMAKER COLLECTION
No. 14436. Bristol 73 Taxiplane (G-EBEW c/n 6153)
The Aviation Library Photo No. 1350

Bristol 73 Taxiplane

07/20/2026. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "In 1922, following inquiries from South America, the Bristol Aeroplane Co. Ltd. made another attempt at marketing an economical three-seat general-utility aircraft, this time designed around their successful 100 hp Lucifer three-cylinder radial engine. The airframe was of orthodox wire-braced, fabric-covered, wooden construction, while for cheap and rapid production it had a square section fuselage with flat top, bottom and sides. A slight top decking was fitted only to the front fuselage, and rigging was simplified by using single bay wings with N-type interplane struts. Two passengers were carried behind the pilot in a large open cockpit entered by a door in the port side of the fuselage.

A notable feature was that the Lucifer and its accessories were installed on a hinged mounting, quickly swung forward to give access to the rear of the engine. Although considerably cheaper to operate than the higher-powered Tourer, only three Taxiplanes were built: G-EBEW, G-EBEY and G-EBFY (c/n 6153 to 6155). Their price just could not compete with the low initial cost of the ex RAF Avro 504K of approximately the same power and seating capacity, and which had a vast backing of cheap and plentiful spares.

Created July 20, 2026