Bristol Britannia
Bristol Aeroplane Company · United Kingdom · first flew 1952 · airliner
The Bristol Britannia, the 'Whispering Giant', was an elegant British long-range turboprop whose late arrival left it overtaken by the jet age despite its quality and quiet comfort.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 4 × turboprop, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Tall conventional single fin and a long, slender fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Large clean low wing with four Bristol Proteus turboprops
- Tall conventional single fin and a long, slender fuselage
- Pointed nose and smooth lines, bigger than a Viscount
The Britannia is a large, elegant four-turboprop airliner with a tall conventional tail and a notably long, slim fuselage. It is told apart from the similar Viscount by its much greater size, and from piston rivals like the DC-6 by its slim turboprop nacelles rather than bulky radial cowlings.
Specifications
- The Bristol Britannia has a length of 37.87 m (124 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 43.36 m (142 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 639 km/h (397 mph).
- Typical crew: 4-5.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed to a BOAC long-range requirement, the Britannia first flew in 1952 and earned its 'Whispering Giant' nickname after spectators remarked on its quietness at its Farnborough debut. Prolonged engine icing problems delayed entry to service until 1957, by which time pure jets were imminent, and only 85 were built before production ended in 1960.
Variants
The short-fuselage Series 100 for BOAC medium-range work was followed by the long-range transatlantic Series 300, including the 310 series. Military aircraft were built as the RAF's Britannia C.1 and C.2 transports.
Where you'll see it
BOAC was the principal operator on Empire and transatlantic routes, and the RAF flew 23 as strategic transports, with British independents including Britannia Airways and British Eagle also using them. Well-preserved UK examples include a Series 312 in Monarch livery at IWM Duxford and another at the RAF Museum Cosford.
Related aircraft
- Bristol Sycamore HC Mk 10
- Bristol Type 171 Sycamore Mk 3
- Bristol Brabazon
- Bristol Type 171 Sycamore Mk 2
- Saunders-Roe Princess
- Douglas DC-7
- Ilyushin Il-14M
- Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation
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