One of the most renowned aircraft of the silver years era is the Bristol Bulldog.

The aircraft was an all-metal, fabric covered unequal span tractor biplane powered by a Bristol Jupiter VII radial engine. The prototype first flew in May 1927 and was pitched against another Aircraft, the Hawker Hawfinch. The two aircraft were very similar in design and looks and were very close in performance. After evaluation reports by specific service pilots the Bulldog was chosen mainly for the reason of easier maintenance. It was introduced for operations in mid-1929 as the Mk.II and Mk.IIa. Over 400 were built and served with the RAF in 11 squadrons as well as four training squadrons. Export versions were built for many European countries and Australia, Japan, Thailand and USA.

It was armed with two Vickers 0.303 machine guns mounted internally either side of the cockpit. The type never saw action with the RAF but remained the primary British frontline fighter until its retirement in July 1937 being replaced by the Gloster Gauntlet. However, it was used during the Spanish Civil War by Spanish Nationalist Air Force and saw action as the Mk.IVA with the Finnish Air Force against Russian forces in 1939.

It was in this type that Douglas Bader had his accident flying low level stunts which led to both his legs being amputated. He was able to retrain with artificial legs and, in his Spitfire code DB, became one of the most renowned Aces of WW2.