Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 30:02-30:51

Did Bristol's aircraft-engine line begin with the Jupiter or the Cherub?

The Jupiter entered aircraft service earlier, while work on the much smaller Cherub had begun first, so the answer depends on whether development or operational use defines the beginning.

Aircraft EnginesBristol CherubBristol Jupiter
Watch at this timeFull video guide
Question

Did Bristol's aircraft-engine line start with the Jupiter?

Short answer

The Jupiter entered service first, but development work on the smaller Cherub had begun earlier.

Notes

An audience member asks whether Bristol's engine history began with the Jupiter. The two-cylinder, 32-horsepower Cherub was the earlier project, but a check of the notes clarifies that the Jupiter entered aircraft service sooner even though work on the Cherub had started earlier. The distinction shows why an engine family's first development effort and its first operationally visible product need not be the same machine.