Design and Development
Boulton & Paul Ltd of Norwich built a series of twin-engined biplanes starting with the Bourges of 1918, which although not ordered into production, had demonstrated excellent performance and manoeuvrability, followed by the all-metal Bolton of 1922 and the smaller Bugle of 1923. In 1924, the Air Ministry issued Specification 9/24 for an all-metal, twin engined medium bomber, with an order for two prototypes following early in 1925.
The first aircraft flew in 1926 by C A Rea, Boulton & Pauls first full-time test pilot.
The village of Sidestrand, chosen for the aircraft name, was the home of the then Secretary of State for Air, Samuel Hoare
Only 20 Sidestrands were ever built. The first two, essentially prototypes, were designated the Sidestrand Mk I. Originally intended to be powered by two Napier Lion inline engines, the Mk I was eventually fitted with 425 hp (317 kW) Bristol Jupiter VI radial engines which also powered the first six production Sidestrands, designated the Sidestrand Mk II. The remaining 12 aircraft were powered by 460 hp (343 kW) Jupiter VIIFs and were designated the Sidestrand Mk III. The six Mk IIs were also re-engined to bring them up to the Mk III specification.
The Sidestrand had three open defensive gun positions; nose, dorsal and ventral. The crew usually consisted of three personnel; pilot, nose gunner and a single gunner for the dorsal or ventral positions, the choice depending on where each individual aircraft was intended to fly in a formation. Armament for each position was a single .303 in (7.7 mm) Lewis gun, the gun being moved between the two rear positions as required. The Sidestrand's bombload was limited to 1,050 lb (476 kg) which did not compare favourably with its contemporaries such as the Martin B-10.
Read more about this topic: Boulton Paul Sidestrand
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