The Bristol Type 192 Belvedere twin-blade helicopter

The Bristol Type 192 Belvedere is a twin-engined, tandem rotor helicopter designed for a variety of transport roles including troop transport, supply dropping and casualty evacuation. It was operated by the Royal Air Force from 1961 to 1969. Belvedere helicopter at Filton, Bristol, England. ... Belvedere helicopter at Filton, Bristol, England. ... Tandem rotor helicopters have two large horizontal rotor assemblies instead of one main assembly and a smaller tail rotor. ... The Bell 206 of Canadian Helicopters Robinson Helicopter Company (USA) R44, a four seat development of the R22 A helicopter is an aircraft which is lifted and propelled by one or more horizontal rotors. ... The Royal Air Force (often abbreviated to RAF) is the air force branch of the British Armed Forces. ...

The aircraft design is based on the Bristol Type 173 which first flew on 3 January 1952 as a 10-seat civil helicopter. When the project was cancelled in 1956 the RAF expressed an interest in the aircraft and the Type 192 Belvedere was created. 26 Belvedere were built. January 3 is the 3rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Belvedere HC Mark 1

The Belvedere were originally designed for naval use but were later adapted to carry eighteen fully equipped troops with a total load capacity of 6000lb. The two rotors were synchronised through a shaft allowing the aircraft to operate through only one engine in the event of an emergency.

Pre-production and Prototypes

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. July 5 is the 186th day of the year (187th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 179 days remaining. ...

Production and Service History

The first prototype Belvedere went on to join 66 Sqn in 1961 and saw service in Europe, Africa, South Arabia and Borneo. XG447 was broken up at Boscombe Down on 7 August 1966. Europe is conventionally considered one of the seven continents of Earth which, in this case, is more a cultural and political distinction than a physiographic one, leading to various perspectives about Europes borders. ... Africa is the worlds second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia. ... The term South Arabia commonly refers to either: the Federation of South Arabia or the Protectorate of South Arabia This is a disambiguation page — a list of articles associated with the same title. ... Borneo and Sulawesi. ... August 7 is the 219th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (220th in leap years), with 146 days remaining. ...

The type was used by the RAF until 1969, despite engine starter problems which caused trouble early on. Belvedere were used by 26, 66 and 72 Sqns.

Operators

• Royal Air Force

The Royal Air Force (often abbreviated to RAF) is the air force branch of the British Armed Forces. ...

Specifications

General characteristics

• Crew: 3
• Capacity: 6000lb
  • 30 Seated passengers
  • 18 Fully-equipped troops
  • 2270kg Internal Cargo
  • Underslung Cargo
• Length: 16.56 m (54 ft 4 in)
• Rotor diameter: ()
• Height: 5.18 m (17 ft)
• Disc area: m² (ft²)
• Empty weight: 5,028 kg (11,085 lb)
• Loaded weight: kg (lb)
• Maximum Take-Off Weight: 8618 kg (19,000 lb)
• Powerplant: 2× Napier Gazelle Turboshaft, 1092 kW (1465 hp) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 222 km/h (138 mph)
• Range: 716 km (445 miles)
• Service ceiling: m (ft)
• Rate of climb: m/s (ft/min)

In aviation, the Maximum Take-Off Weight (or MTOW) is the maximum weight with which an aircraft can achieve flight. ... VNO of an aircraft is the V speed which refers to the velocity of normal operation. ... The maximal total range is the distance an airplane can fly between takeoff and landing as limited by its fuel capacity. ... Service Ceiling—The maximum density altitude where the best rate-of climb airspeed will produce a 100 feet-per-minute climb at maximum weight while in a clean configuration with maximum continuous power. ... This page is a candidate to be moved to Wiktionary. ...

Preserved in Britain

The following Bristol Belvedere have been preserved and are either on display or currently undergoing restoration.

Type 173:

• • XF785 on display at Bristol Aero Collection, Kemble

Belvedere HC.1:

• • XG452 undergoing restoration at The Helicopter Museum, Weston-Super-Mare
  • XG454 on display at Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester
  • XG474 on display at Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon
  • XG462 (Nose section only) The Helicopter Museum, Weston-Super-Mare

The Helicopter Museum in Weston-super-Mare, England, is a dedicated museum featuring a collection of over 80 helicopters from around the world, both civilian and military. ... An Avro Lancaster in the main hangar of the RAF Museum Hendon The Royal Air Force Museum (RAF Museum) is a museum dedicated to the history of aviation, and the British Royal Air Force in particular. ... The Helicopter Museum in Weston-super-Mare, England, is a dedicated museum featuring a collection of over 80 helicopters from around the world, both civilian and military. ...

Sources

• HC.1 history and background

Bristol Belvedere

• Specifications and Display Locations

Belvedere

See also

Manufacturers design sequence Type 164 (Brigand) - Type 167 (Brabazon) - Type 170 (Freighter and Wayfarer) - Type 172 (Sycamore) - Type 188 - Type 192 (Belvedere) The Bristol Type 164 Brigand was the outcome of a 1942 specification (H. 7/42) calling for a faster edition of the Beaufighter for long range torpedo work and anti-shipping strikes. ... The Bristol Type 167 Brabazon was a huge airliner designed by the Bristol Aeroplane Company to fly transatlantic routes from the UK to the United States. ... The Bristol Freighter (Bristol Type 170) was a twin engined cargo aircraft built by Bristol designed to carry motor cars as well as their owners. ... Categories: Stub | British military utility aircraft 1940-1949 | Helicopters ...