Special Hobby 1/72 Boulton Paul Balliol Civilian & Foreign Users Aircraft Kit
The Boulton Paul Balliol was designed to meet an Air Ministry requirement for a three-seat advanced trainer. The original requirement was for a turboprop aircraft and the conventional low-wing monoplane design was to be powered by an Amstrong Siddeley Mamba. In the aircraft, the Student and instructor would sit side by side with an observer behind. The Air Ministry had second thoughts concerning the turboprop and reissued the specification for an aircraft powered by a Rolls-Royce Merlin.
The Merlin-powered Balliol was selected but the requirement for a third seat was deleted. Deliveries to the RAF started in 1950, however, the Air Ministry again changed its mind and decided they needed a jet-powered trailer which would be the Vampire T.11. Thus the Balliol only saw limited RAF service. The only export customer for the Balliol was the Royal Ceylon Airforce who received 7 for canceled RAF orders and 5 direct from RAF stocks. Two of these aircraft survive today with the now Sri Lanka Air Force Museum, one Balliol survives in the UK which is being restored by the Boulton Paul Association.
The Merlin-powered Balliol was selected but the requirement for a third seat was deleted. Deliveries to the RAF started in 1950, however, the Air Ministry again changed its mind and decided they needed a jet-powered trailer which would be the Vampire T.11. Thus the Balliol only saw limited RAF service. The only export customer for the Balliol was the Royal Ceylon Airforce who received 7 for canceled RAF orders and 5 direct from RAF stocks. Two of these aircraft survive today with the now Sri Lanka Air Force Museum, one Balliol survives in the UK which is being restored by the Boulton Paul Association.
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