Bristol Belvedere
| Industry | Aerospace, Defense |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1910 |
| Founder | Sir George White |
| Headquarters | Bristol , United Kingdom |
| Products | Aircraft, Helicopters |
The Bristol Type 192 Belvedere is a British military helicopter featuring twin engines and tandem rotors, developed by the Bristol Aeroplane Company. Conceived by Raoul Hafner, it was intended for multiple transport duties such as troop movement, supply delivery, and medical evacuation. The Royal Air Force (RAF) operated the Belvedere from 1961 until 1969. It stands as the only tandem rotor helicopter produced in Britain and is among the rare models not manufactured by Piasecki Helicopter or Boeing.
Design and development
Derived from the Bristol Type 173, a civilian helicopter initially accommodating 10 passengers and later expanded to 16, which first took flight on 3 January 1952, the Belvedere evolved after the cancellation of the Type 173 project in 1956. Bristol then focused on the Type 191 and Type 193 variants tailored to meet Royal Navy and Royal Canadian Navy requirements, but these naval models were also discontinued. Interest from the RAF led to the creation of the Type 192 "Belvedere." Nearly completed airframes of three Type 191 units were repurposed to support development of the Type 192; two served as test platforms for the new Napier Gazelle engines, while the third underwent fatigue testing.
The design of the Type 192 incorporated elements from its cancelled naval predecessors, which resulted in some compromises for troop transport operations. Its front landing gear was notably tall, originally intended to provide clearance for loading torpedoes beneath the fuselage during anti-submarine missions. Consequently, the main door used for passengers and cargo was positioned approximately 4 feet (1.2 m) above ground level. The engines were situated at opposite ends of the cabin space, differing from contemporary troop transports like the Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight, which placed engines above the rear cabin to facilitate a rear loading ramp. Access between cockpit and cabin was provided through a small passage adjacent to one engine, creating a noticeable bulge on the left side of the aircraft.
The initial prototype XG447 took off on 5 July 1958 equipped with tandem wooden rotor blades, a fully manual control system, and a fixed quadricycle undercarriage with castoring wheels. Starting from the fifth prototype, all rotors were upgraded to all-metal four-bladed designs. Production models featured controls and instrumentation suitable for night flying operations. Early prototypes had an upward-opening main door for both cockpit and passenger access; however, this design was vulnerable to rotor downwash causing it to slam shut unexpectedly and was replaced by a sliding door in later versions.
A total of twenty-six Belvedere helicopters were produced and entered service under the designation Belvedere HC Mark 1. Although initially intended for Royal Navy use, they were modified to transport up to 18 fully equipped soldiers with a maximum payload capacity of 6,000 lb (2,700 kg). The twin rotors were mechanically linked via a shaft to synchronize their rotation, preventing blade collision. This arrangement enabled operation on a single engine during emergencies, with automatic power increase from the functioning engine to compensate.
Bristol also developed a civilian variant named Type 192C, designed to accommodate 24 passengers targeting intercity travel markets. To showcase its capabilities, chief test pilot Charles "Sox" Hosegood set speed records between London and Paris in May 1961 using a Belvedere. Despite these demonstrations, no commercial orders for the Type 192C were secured.
Operational history
Three Belvedere helicopters from the pre-production batch (XG453, XG454, XG456) were assigned to the Belvedere Trials Unit based at RAF Odiham, which was later re-established as No. 66 Squadron RAF in 1961. Initial difficulties were encountered due to engine starter issues; however, operational use proceeded despite these setbacks. The production models were deployed across various regions including Europe, Africa, Southern Arabia, and Borneo. The original prototype, XG447, was dismantled at Porton Down on 7 August 1966.
In June 1960, the fifth prototype, XG452, achieved a speed milestone by flying at 130 mph (210 km/h) between Gatwick and Tripoli. In 1962, a Belvedere from 72 Squadron was instrumental in lowering the 80-foot spire onto the newly constructed Coventry Cathedral.
Besides No. 66 Squadron, the helicopter type was also assigned to 72 Squadron in 1961 and 26 Squadron in 1962, all operating out of Odiham. Subsequently, 26 Squadron moved to RAF Khormaksar, where it was disbanded in November 1965. The helicopters were transported aboard HMS Albion to Singapore to reinforce 66 Squadron until its disbandment in 1969. The Belvederes remained with 72 Squadron until August 1964 before being replaced by Westland Wessex helicopters.
The RAF's Belvedere helicopters saw active service during the Aden Emergency and in operations across Borneo amid the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation.
Variants
- Type 173
- Civil transport prototype model
- Type 191
- Intended naval variant which never flew; the first two units were repurposed as Gazelle ground test rigs for Type 192.
- Type 192
- Military transport helicopter designated Belvedere HC Mk 1 for use by the Royal Air Force.
- Type 192C
- Planned civilian model featuring seating for 24 passengers; this version was not constructed.
- Type 193
- Proposed Royal Canadian Navy variant based on Type 191, which was not developed.
- Type 194
- Planned civil adaptation of Type 192 equipped with Gnome engines.
Operators
Surviving aircraft
Several Bristol Belvedere helicopters have been preserved and are either exhibited or in restoration.
Belvedere HC.1
- XG452 currently undergoing restoration at The Helicopter Museum, Weston-Super-Mare
- XG454 exhibited at The Helicopter Museum, Weston-super-Mare since January 2022
- XG474 on permanent display at the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon
- XG462 (only the nose section) held at The Helicopter Museum, Weston-Super-Mare
Specifications (Belvedere HC.1)
See also
Citations
Bibliography
- Barnes, C.H., Bristol Aircraft since 1910. London: Putnam Publishing, 1970. ISBN 0-370-00015-3
- Jefford, C.G., RAF Squadrons. 2nd edition, Shrewsbury: Airlife Publishing, 2001. ISBN 1-84037-141-2
- Lambert, Mark. "In The Air: No 155 : Westland Belvedere". Flight International, 8 February 1962, pp. 211–214.
- Taylor, John W. R., Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1961–62. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, 1961.
External links
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- Commons category link from Wikidata
- 1960s British military transport aircraft
- Aircraft first flown in 1958
- Bristol Aeroplane Company aircraft
- Military transport helicopters
- Tandem rotor helicopters
- 1960s British helicopters
- Twin-turbine helicopters