Bristol Britannia C.1
Bristol · United Kingdom · first flew 1952 · transport aircraft
The Bristol Britannia C.1 is the RAF transport variant of the Bristol Britannia turboprop airliner, used for long-range strategic transport and trooping duties.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 4 × turboprop, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 37.87 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Four-turboprop British airliner in RAF livery
- Long-range transport known as the Whispering Giant
- Elegant tapered wing with Proteus turboprops
A large, elegant low-wing four-turboprop transport with a circular fuselage cross-section, circular engine nacelles housing Bristol Proteus engines, and a classic 1950s airliner profile.
Specifications
- The Bristol Britannia C.1 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
The Britannia airliner first flew in August 1952 and entered civil service in 1957. The RAF ordered aircraft as Britannia C.1 for strategic transport, replacing the Hastings and Hermes. Known as the 'Whispering Giant' for its quiet turboprop engines.
Variants
The civil Britannia 100/200/300 series preceded the RAF C.1 (based on Series 253); the C.2 was a smaller variant for the RAF.
Where you'll see it
The RAF operated Britannia C.1s with No. 99 and No. 511 Squadrons from 1959 until 1976, providing long-range trooping and freight services.
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