Bristol Belvedere
Encyclopedia
The Bristol Type 192 Belvedere is a British
twin-engine, tandem rotor
military helicopter
built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company
. It was designed for a variety of transport roles including troop transport, supply dropping and casualty evacuation. It was operated by the Royal Air Force
(RAF) from 1961 to 1969.
10-seat (later 16-seat) civil helicopter which first flew on 3 January 1952. The 173 project was cancelled in 1956 and Bristol spent time on the Type 191 and Type 193 to Royal Navy
and Royal Canadian Navy
specifications. These two naval variants were cancelled, but the RAF expressed an interest in the aircraft and the Type 192 "Belvedere" was created. Three Type 191 airframes were almost complete when the order was cancelled, but they were used to aid the development of the Type 192. The first two were used as test rigs for the new Napier Gazelle
engines and the third was used for fatigue tests.
The Type 192 shared some of its design features with the cancelled naval variants, which made it less than ideal for transporting troops. The front undercarriage was unusually tall, originally designed to give adequate clearance for loading torpedoes underneath the fuselage
in the anti-submarine warfare
role. This left the main passenger and cargo door 4 feet (1.2 m) above the ground. The engines were placed at either end of the cabin, precluding the possibility of a rear access ramp, which might have been present in a purpose-designed troop transport (such as the contemporary Boeing CH-47 Chinook). To provide access to the cabin from the cockpit
there was a small gangway past the engine that resulted in a bulge on the port side of the fuselage.
The first Type 192 prototype XG447 flew on 5 July 1958 with tandem wooden rotor blades, a completely manual control system and a castored, fixed quadricycle undercarriage
. From the fifth prototype, the rotors fitted were all-metal, 4 bladed units. Production model controls and instruments allowed night operations. The prototype machines had an upwards-hinged main passenger door, which was prone being slammed shut by the downwash
from the rotors. This was replaced by a sliding door on the later aircraft.
26 Belvederes were built entering service as the Belvedere HC Mark 1. The Belvederes were originally designed for use with the Royal Navy but were later adapted to carry 18 fully equipped troops with a total load capacity of 6,000 lb (2,700 kg). The two rotors were synchronised to prevent blade collision through a shaft, allowing the aircraft to operate through only one engine in the event of an emergency.
Bristol attempted to market a civil variant of the helicopter, designated the Type 192C. The 192C would have had seats for 24 passengers and was aimed at intercity services. To demonstrate the aircraft's potential, Bristol chief test pilot Charles "Sox" Hosegood set the London-Paris and Paris-London speed records in May 1961 in a Belvedere. However, no orders were placed for the 192C.
, which was subsequently reformed as No. 66 Squadron RAF
in 1961. Engine starter problems caused trouble early on but operational deployment continued. The prototype saw service in Europe
, Africa
, Southern Arabia and Borneo
. XG447 was broken up at Boscombe Down on 7 August 1966.
In June 1960 the 5th prototype, XG452 set a speed record of 130 mile per hour between Gatwick and Tripoli
. In 1962 another Belvedere lowered the spire onto the new Coventry Cathedral
.
As well as 66 Squadron, the type was deployed to 72 Squadron
in 1961 and 26 Squadron
in 1962 all at RAF Odiham
. 26 Squadron later transferred to RAF Khormaksar
where it disbanded in November 1965. The helicopters were transferred by HMS Albion
to Singapore to join 66 Squadron until the squadron was disbanded in 1969. 72 Squadron kept its Belvederes until August 1964 when it exchanged them for Westland Wessex
.
The RAF Belvederes were involved in combat in Aden Emergency
and Borneo
(during the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation). Its capability of transporting 18 fully armed troops or freight was really appreciated by the British Army.
Type 173
Type 191: Projected naval version. Never flown; first two aircraft used as Gazelle ground test rigs for Type 192.
Type 192: Military transport helicopter for the Royal Air Force, under designation
Belvedere HC Mk 1.
Type 192C: Proposed civil version with 24 seats, not built.
Type 193
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
twin-engine, tandem rotor
Tandem rotor
Tandem rotor helicopters have two large horizontal rotor assemblies mounted one in front of the other. Currently this configuration is mainly used for large cargo helicopters....
military helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company
Bristol Aeroplane Company
The Bristol Aeroplane Company, originally the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company, was both one of the first and one of the most important British aviation companies, designing and manufacturing both airframes and aero engines...
. It was designed for a variety of transport roles including troop transport, supply dropping and casualty evacuation. It was operated by the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
(RAF) from 1961 to 1969.
Design and development
The Belvedere was based on the Bristol Type 173Bristol Type 173
|-References:NotesBibliography...
10-seat (later 16-seat) civil helicopter which first flew on 3 January 1952. The 173 project was cancelled in 1956 and Bristol spent time on the Type 191 and Type 193 to Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
and Royal Canadian Navy
Royal Canadian Navy
The history of the Royal Canadian Navy goes back to 1910, when the naval force was created as the Naval Service of Canada and renamed a year later by King George V. The Royal Canadian Navy is one of the three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
specifications. These two naval variants were cancelled, but the RAF expressed an interest in the aircraft and the Type 192 "Belvedere" was created. Three Type 191 airframes were almost complete when the order was cancelled, but they were used to aid the development of the Type 192. The first two were used as test rigs for the new Napier Gazelle
Napier Gazelle
|-See also:-Bibliography:* Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9-External links:*...
engines and the third was used for fatigue tests.
The Type 192 shared some of its design features with the cancelled naval variants, which made it less than ideal for transporting troops. The front undercarriage was unusually tall, originally designed to give adequate clearance for loading torpedoes underneath the fuselage
Fuselage
The fuselage is an aircraft's main body section that holds crew and passengers or cargo. In single-engine aircraft it will usually contain an engine, although in some amphibious aircraft the single engine is mounted on a pylon attached to the fuselage which in turn is used as a floating hull...
in the anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
role. This left the main passenger and cargo door 4 feet (1.2 m) above the ground. The engines were placed at either end of the cabin, precluding the possibility of a rear access ramp, which might have been present in a purpose-designed troop transport (such as the contemporary Boeing CH-47 Chinook). To provide access to the cabin from the cockpit
Cockpit
A cockpit or flight deck is the area, usually near the front of an aircraft, from which a pilot controls the aircraft. Most modern cockpits are enclosed, except on some small aircraft, and cockpits on large airliners are also physically separated from the cabin...
there was a small gangway past the engine that resulted in a bulge on the port side of the fuselage.
The first Type 192 prototype XG447 flew on 5 July 1958 with tandem wooden rotor blades, a completely manual control system and a castored, fixed quadricycle undercarriage
Undercarriage
The undercarriage or landing gear in aviation, is the structure that supports an aircraft on the ground and allows it to taxi, takeoff and land...
. From the fifth prototype, the rotors fitted were all-metal, 4 bladed units. Production model controls and instruments allowed night operations. The prototype machines had an upwards-hinged main passenger door, which was prone being slammed shut by the downwash
Downwash
In aeronautics downwash is the air forced down by the aerodynamic action of a wing or helicopter rotor blade in motion, as part of the process of producing lift....
from the rotors. This was replaced by a sliding door on the later aircraft.
26 Belvederes were built entering service as the Belvedere HC Mark 1. The Belvederes were originally designed for use with the Royal Navy but were later adapted to carry 18 fully equipped troops with a total load capacity of 6,000 lb (2,700 kg). The two rotors were synchronised to prevent blade collision through a shaft, allowing the aircraft to operate through only one engine in the event of an emergency.
Bristol attempted to market a civil variant of the helicopter, designated the Type 192C. The 192C would have had seats for 24 passengers and was aimed at intercity services. To demonstrate the aircraft's potential, Bristol chief test pilot Charles "Sox" Hosegood set the London-Paris and Paris-London speed records in May 1961 in a Belvedere. However, no orders were placed for the 192C.
Operational history
The first prototype Belvedere went to the Belvedere Trials Unit at RAF OdihamRAF Odiham
RAF Odiham is a Royal Air Force station situated a little to the south of the historic small village of Odiham in Hampshire, England. It is the home of the Royal Air Force's heavy lift helicopter, the Chinook HC2, HC2A and HC3...
, which was subsequently reformed as No. 66 Squadron RAF
No. 66 Squadron RAF
No. 66 Squadron was a Royal Flying Corps and eventually Royal Air Force aircraft squadron.-In World War I:It was first formed at Filton on 30 June 1916 as a Training Squadron equipped with BE2c,d & e, BE12 and Avroe 504A machines. The squadron received its first Sopwith Pup on 3 February 1917,...
in 1961. Engine starter problems caused trouble early on but operational deployment continued. The prototype saw service in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, Southern Arabia and Borneo
Borneo
Borneo is the third largest island in the world and is located north of Java Island, Indonesia, at the geographic centre of Maritime Southeast Asia....
. XG447 was broken up at Boscombe Down on 7 August 1966.
In June 1960 the 5th prototype, XG452 set a speed record of 130 mile per hour between Gatwick and Tripoli
Tripoli
Tripoli is the capital and largest city in Libya. It is also known as Western Tripoli , to distinguish it from Tripoli, Lebanon. It is affectionately called The Mermaid of the Mediterranean , describing its turquoise waters and its whitewashed buildings. Tripoli is a Greek name that means "Three...
. In 1962 another Belvedere lowered the spire onto the new Coventry Cathedral
Coventry Cathedral
Coventry Cathedral, also known as St Michael's Cathedral, is the seat of the Bishop of Coventry and the Diocese of Coventry, in Coventry, West Midlands, England. The current bishop is the Right Revd Christopher Cocksworth....
.
As well as 66 Squadron, the type was deployed to 72 Squadron
No. 72 Squadron RAF
No. 72 Squadron Royal Air Force started its service life supporting the army during World War I on operations in Middle East and afterwards was quickly disbanded. In its second incarnation the squadron was a real fighter unit, transitioning from Gloster Gladiator biplanes to Gloster Javelin...
in 1961 and 26 Squadron
No. 26 Squadron RAF
No. 26 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was formed in 1915 and was disbanded for the last time in 1976.The squadron motto is N Wagter in die Lug , and the squadrons badge is a springbok's head couped.-1915 to 1918:...
in 1962 all at RAF Odiham
RAF Odiham
RAF Odiham is a Royal Air Force station situated a little to the south of the historic small village of Odiham in Hampshire, England. It is the home of the Royal Air Force's heavy lift helicopter, the Chinook HC2, HC2A and HC3...
. 26 Squadron later transferred to RAF Khormaksar
RAF Khormaksar
RAF Khormaksar was a Royal Air Force station in Aden. Its motto was "Into the Remote Places". During the 1960s, it was the base for nine squadrons and became the RAF's busiest-ever station. It later became Aden International Airport.-History:...
where it disbanded in November 1965. The helicopters were transferred by HMS Albion
HMS Albion (R07)
HMS Albion was a 22,000 ton Centaur-class light fleet carrier of the Royal Navy.-Construction and modifications:She was built by Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd. Her keel was laid down in March 1944 and she was launched in May 1947...
to Singapore to join 66 Squadron until the squadron was disbanded in 1969. 72 Squadron kept its Belvederes until August 1964 when it exchanged them for Westland Wessex
Westland Wessex
The Westland Wessex is a British turbine-powered version of the Sikorsky S-58 "Choctaw", developed under license by Westland Aircraft , initially for the Royal Navy, and later for the Royal Air Force...
.
The RAF Belvederes were involved in combat in Aden Emergency
Aden Emergency
The Aden Emergency was an insurgency against the British crown forces in the British controlled territories of South Arabia which now form part of the Yemen. Partly inspired by Nasser's pan Arab nationalism, it began on 10 December 1963 with the throwing of a grenade at a gathering of British...
and Borneo
Borneo
Borneo is the third largest island in the world and is located north of Java Island, Indonesia, at the geographic centre of Maritime Southeast Asia....
(during the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation). Its capability of transporting 18 fully armed troops or freight was really appreciated by the British Army.
Variants
Bristol Type 173
|-References:NotesBibliography...
- Civil transport prototype
Type 191: Projected naval version. Never flown; first two aircraft used as Gazelle ground test rigs for Type 192.
Type 192: Military transport helicopter for the Royal Air Force, under designation
British military aircraft designation systems
British military aircraft designations are used to refer to aircraft types and variants operated by the armed forces of the United Kingdom.Since the end of the First World War, aircraft types in British military service have generally been known by a name British military aircraft designations are...
Belvedere HC Mk 1.
Type 192C: Proposed civil version with 24 seats, not built.
Type 193
- Variant for the Royal Canadian Navy based on the Type 191, not built.
Operators
- Royal Air ForceRoyal Air ForceThe Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
- No. 26 Squadron RAFNo. 26 Squadron RAFNo. 26 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was formed in 1915 and was disbanded for the last time in 1976.The squadron motto is N Wagter in die Lug , and the squadrons badge is a springbok's head couped.-1915 to 1918:...
- No. 66 Squadron RAFNo. 66 Squadron RAFNo. 66 Squadron was a Royal Flying Corps and eventually Royal Air Force aircraft squadron.-In World War I:It was first formed at Filton on 30 June 1916 as a Training Squadron equipped with BE2c,d & e, BE12 and Avroe 504A machines. The squadron received its first Sopwith Pup on 3 February 1917,...
- No. 72 Squadron RAFNo. 72 Squadron RAFNo. 72 Squadron Royal Air Force started its service life supporting the army during World War I on operations in Middle East and afterwards was quickly disbanded. In its second incarnation the squadron was a real fighter unit, transitioning from Gloster Gladiator biplanes to Gloster Javelin...
- No. 26 Squadron RAF
Aircraft on display
The following Bristol Belvederes have been preserved and are either on display or currently undergoing restoration.Belvedere HC.1
- XG452 undergoing restoration at The Helicopter Museum, Weston-Super-MareThe Helicopter Museum (Weston)The Helicopter Museum in Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, England, is a museum featuring a collection of more than 80 helicopters and autogyros from around the world, both civilian and military...
- XG454 on display at Museum of Science and Industry in ManchesterMuseum of Science and Industry in ManchesterThe Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, England, is a large museum devoted to the development of science, technology, and industry with emphasis on the city's achievements in these fields...
- XG474 on display at Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon
- XG462 (Nose section only) The Helicopter Museum, Weston-Super-Mare