Bristol Belvedere
| Bristol 192 Belvedere | |
|---|---|
 Bristol Belvedere of the Royal Air Force |
|
| Type: | Transport helicopter |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| First flight: |
5th July 1958 |
| Commissioning: |
1961 |
| Number of pieces: |
29 |
The Bristol 192 Belvedere was a heavy tandem helicopter made by the Bristol Aircraft Company . After Westland took over the Bristol helicopter division in 1961, the machine was marketed as the Westland Belvedere .
development
Based on the 173 model , the Belvedere had two rotors connected by a long shaft so that the helicopter could continue to fly if one engine failed. The first prototype made its maiden flight on July 5, 1958. He still had three-bladed rotors made of wood, which were replaced by four-bladed metal rotors from the fifth prototype.
The Belvedere was originally intended as a ten-seat, fast liaison helicopter. The Royal Air Force was interested in a transport helicopter that could transport up to 18 fully equipped soldiers or two and a half tons of cargo and therefore initially ordered 22 machines. The order was later expanded to 26 belvederes . The machines were used in different units from 1961 to 1969. In addition to the 72nd Squadron in RAF Odiham , this also included squadrons overseas, the 26th Squadron in RAF Kormaksar and the 66th Squadron in RAF Seletar .
A civil version as an intercity shuttle aircraft for 23 passengers was planned, but was not built.
Machines in the museum
- XG452: International Helicopter Museum, Weston-super-Mare
- XG454: Museum of Science and Industry , Manchester
Military use
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| Type | Transport helicopter with tandem rotors |
| use | Troop and cargo transport, rescue flights |
| crew | 2 |
| drive | 2 × Napier Gazelle N. Ga. 2 |
| power | 2 × 920 wave HP continuous output, 2 × 1650 WPS maximum output |
| Hull length | 16.6 m |
| Rotor diameter | 14.9 m |
| Empty mass | 5,234 kg |
| Takeoff mass | 8,620 kg |
| maximum payload | 2,720 kg |
| Top speed | 222 km / h |
| Service ceiling | 5,273 m |
literature
- CH Barnes: Bristol Aircraft since 1910. Putnam Publishing, London 1970, ISBN 0-370-00015-3
- William Green: The Observer's World Aircraft Directory. 1961.
- John WR Taylor: Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1961-62. Sampson Low, Marston & Company, London 1961.
