Bristol Type 171 Sycamore Mk 3

Bristol Aeroplane Company · United Kingdom · first flew 1950 · helicopter

The Bristol Type 171 Sycamore Mk 3 is the first production variant of Britain's indigenous helicopter, ordered by the RAF and by export customers following successful evaluation of the Mk 1 and Mk 2 development aircraft.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, rotary
E — Engines	1 × piston, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage	14.07 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Initial production Sycamore for RAF and export
Single Alvis Leonides piston engine, three-blade main rotor
Bubble-glazed cabin with four-abreast interior

The Sycamore is identifiable by its large bubble-glazed four-seat cabin, the Leonides radial engine cowled in the nose, the three-blade main rotor, and the narrow tailboom — a distinctive early British helicopter profile.

Specifications

The Bristol Type 171 Sycamore Mk 3 has a length of 14.07 m (46 ft).
It has a wingspan of 14.81 m (49 ft).
Its maximum speed is 204 km/h (127 mph).
Typical crew: 1 pilot + 4 passengers.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

The Mk 3 entered RAF service in the early 1950s, becoming the first British-designed helicopter to serve operationally with the RAF. It was used for search and rescue, communications, and utility duties. The German Luftwaffe and the Royal Australian Navy also acquired the type.

Variants

The Mk 3 preceded the HC Mk 14, which was the definitive RAF utility and SAR variant; both shared the same basic Leonides-powered airframe.

Where you'll see it

Served with the RAF, Luftwaffe, and Royal Australian Navy in the 1950s; the RAF used Sycamores operationally in Malaya during the Emergency for casualty evacuation and jungle operations.

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