Bristol 192 Belvedere HC1 – XG449, 66 Sqn RAF, Seletar 1963

Atlas 1/72 scale MAGPH60: Bristol 192 Belvedere XG449 of 66 Sqn RAF, Seletar Singapore 1963

The Bristol Aeroplane Company Type 191 Helicopter was a proposed development of the Bristol Type 173 a very slender, 13-seater tandem rotor transport helicopter of the very early 1950’s. The Type 191 was however, designated for naval operations.

In April 1956, three prototypes 191’s were ordered with the Leonides Major power unit for both the British and Canadian Navy’s. Although the prototypes featured the Alvis Leonides engines, the proposed production aircraft were scheduled to be powered by the Napier Gazelle turbo-shaft engine. Unfortunately, the contract was later cancelled with the all three 191 prototypes being used as development rigs for the subsequent Bristol Type 192 Belvedere programme.

26 Bristol 192 Belvedere HC.Mk.1 were ordered for RAF transport use, the prototype (XG447) flying for the first time on 5th July 1958.

It utilised wooden propellers and an upward opening main passenger and cockpit door. These were subsequently replaced by an all-metal propellers for controllability, with sliding doors as the old doors would often close inadvertently, due to the huge downwash.

Initial flying was conducted with an anhedral tailplane fitted with tip fins although this was later replaced by a double-anhedral tailplane in the production Bristol 192 Belvedere HC Mk 1.

The type entered service with 66 Sqn RAF in 1961, also serving with 26 Sqn and 72 Sqn RAF. These squadrons were based in Singapore, Aden and the UK, respectively and the type also served operationally with considerable distinction in both Borneo and Aden.

In June 1960, the fifth prototype set a new speed record of 130 mph between Gatwick and Tripoli and it was a Bristol 192 Belvedere that ‘dropped’ the 80 ft tall spire onto the new cathedral at Coventry in 1962.

In the casualty evacuation role, the Bristol Type 192 Belvedere could carry up to 12 stretchers, two sitting casualties and a medical attendant.

The type had a relatively low fatigue life of around just 1,600 flying hours which resulted in the it being withdrawn from service by March 1969 after just 8 years.