Frank Sowter Barnwell
Frank Sowter Barnwell (1880-1938), chief designer to the Bristol Aeroplane Co
1938 Obituary [1]
IT is with regret that we have to record the death of one of the pioneers of British aviation. Captain F. Sowter Barnwell, who was killed in a flying accident at Bristol Airport, on Tuesday, August 2nd. At the time of his death he was chief designer to the Bristol Aeroplane Company.
Captain Barnwell was apprenticed to a shipbuilding firm in Govan, and later went to the United States to work for a shipbuilding firm near Boston.
After returning to this country he became interested in aircraft construction, and with his brother conducted a number of experiments. He was appointed chief draughtsman to the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company - later the Bristol Aeroplane Company in 1911.
During the war he served in the Royal Flying Corps, but was recalled to become designer to the Bristol Aeroplane Company, and in that capacity achieved great distinction as the designer of the "Bristol Fighter" aircraft. The machine was adopted as the standard two-seater fighter by a number of countries.
Captain Barnwell accepted a temporary commission in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1921, but returned to Bristol two years later.
In addition to being a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, he was one of the original members of the Bristol and Wessex Light Aeroplane Club and a member of the Royal Aero Club.