Bristol 175 Britannia

The Bristol 175 Britannia was designed by the Bristol Aeroplane Company to meet the requirements of British Overseas Aircraft Corporation (BOAC) trans-Atlantic routes, carrying upto 90 passengers back and forth to the USA.

An initial 25 (Bristol Britannia 100) were ordered by BOAC in July 1949 and the name Britannia chosen in April 1950.

The prototype (G-ALBO) was first flown on 16th August 1952 at Filton Aerodrome with Test Pilot A.J. 'Bill' Pegg at the controls.  

The maiden flight was not without difficulties as not only were the controls thought to be 'over-sensitive' but during the final approach the cockpit filled with smoke, caused by a stuck undercarriage bogie that continuously recycyled - Thankfully, it finally locked into position moments before landing. 

One prototype was lost in December 1953, following an engine fire and forced landing on the banks of the Severn. Engine icing problems caused flame-outs and required significant development activity. As a result, the type did not enter BOAC service until February 1957, initially on the Johannesburg route.

In service, the elegant Bristol 175 Britannia was advertised as ‘The Whispering Giant’. Stretched developments were offered for all cargo (Bristol Britannia 200), passenger cargo (Bristol Britannia 250) and all passenger operations (Bristol Britannia 300).

BOAC selected the Bristol Britannia 300 for the trans-Atlantic route, leading to additional orders from El Al and Canadian Pacific. The Bristol 175 Britannia 301 was first flown on 31st July 1956 whilst the Bristol Britannia 310, with increased fuel capacity, flew in December of the same year.

The first Bristol 175 Britannia service from London to New York was flown in December 1957.

Air to air photograph of RAF Britannia C1 (Series 253) XL636

The RAF ordered 23 mixed passenger-cargo aircraft for use by Transport Command (3 x Bristol Britannia 252 and 20  x Bristol Britannia 253), these being delivered in 1959 and 1960.

18 of the RAF fleet were built by Short Brothers & Harland in Belfast.

Britannia 313 5Y-ALT of African Safari Airways (originally 4X-AGD of El Al) after landing at Gatwick Airport

An ex-RAF Britannia of Young Cargo Airlines at Stansted

After retirement from the RAF, a number of aircraft were converted for civil cargo use, such OO-YCA (ex-XL635) of Young Cargo Airlines photographed above.

In Canada, a piston engined derivative of the Bristol 175 Britannia (the Canadair Argus) served in the maritime patrol role. Tyne-powered stretched developments of the type were also produced in Canada, designated as the Canadair Yukon for RCAF transport use. It was also produced as the Canadair CL-44D, fitted with a swing-tail and used for freight operations.

Four Canadair CL-44 aircraft were sold to Loftleidir (without the swing tail) and were configured for 160 passengers. These aircraft were later further stretched to carry up to 189 passengers and designated as  the CL-44J.

85 Bristol 175 Britannia aircraft were built, including those sub-contracted to Short Bros. & Harland Ltd in Belfast. Canadair built 33 Argus as well as a total of 39 Yukon and CL-44D. Although troubled initially by engine icing, the Bristol 175 Britannia eventually proved itself to be safe and robust in service.