They were aware of Boulton & Paul's all-steel-framed, though probably unflown P.10 and the claims of the company designer, John North that such aircraft could be 10% lighter than their wooden-framed equivalents and that metal construction was better suited to British climate.

[3] In general terms the Bolton was similar to the Bourges, though larger all round;[2][4] both were twin-engined, three bay biplanes with equal span, constant chord wings with no sweep or stagger.

[5] Both carried ailerons on upper and lower wings, though the wingtips of the Bolton were cut off square in the later Boulton & Paul fashion and lacked the protruding balances of the earlier machine.

[2] The single axle undercarriage was of much narrower track than that of the Bourges,[2][4] mounted just inboard of the engines on pneumatically sprung and damped legs in the manner of the Bodmin.

[2] Its career and performance remain largely hidden by official secrecy, though an estimated maximum speed of 130 mph (209 km/h) at 10,000 ft (3,048 m) did emerge.

[6] Nonetheless, Boulton & Paul's growing expertise in metal-framed twin-engined aircraft was rewarded by orders for seven Bugles and led to the Sidestrands and Overstrands that achieved squadron service, albeit in small numbers.