By 1916 the need for a new high performance fighter with reliable armament was obvious as casualties among pilots and observers was high. The British and Colonial Aircraft Company (Bristol) produced the M.1C monoplane despite opposition from the Air Ministry who were in favour of biplanes and distrusted monoplanes. The new fighter was equipped with the already successful synchronised firing mechanism that allowed the guns to fire through the propeller arc.
At the roots of the wings areas were left uncovered to give the pilot a clear downward view. To give the M.1C a good streamlined shape, it was provided with a large hemispherical spinner covering most of the rotary engine. The Air Ministry ordered 130 aircraft, which entered service during 1916-17. Although the M.1C had a superior performance to many of the current RFC front line types, it was not used operationally over the Western Front. The type was used extensively in Flying Training Stations, where, due to its excellent performance they were often the personal mounts of senior officers with striking colour schemes.
http://www.shuttleworth.org/html/shuttleworth/air14.htm
Bristol M.1C (replica)
G-BWJM
Old Warden, Beds, UK4th June 2006