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The Bristol 173 was the first helicopter specifically designed for commercial operation and passenger transport in particular. The first prototype, which flew on 3 January 1952, was powered by two 520hp Alvis Leonides engines and could carry ten passengers. The tandem rotors were identical to those of the Bristol 171 "Sycamore". Trials were carried out with this aircraft in 1953, from the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle. The second prototype was similar to the first but was modified to test the characteristics and effects of two stub wings and later a four-bladed rotor. The Bristol 173 Mk.3, of which three were built, with capacity increased to 16 seats and Alvis Leonides Major engines, was offered to BEA.
Unfortunately, none of these aircraft succeeded in overcoming a series of developmental problems and subsequent projects undertaken by Bristol — models 191 and 193 — in response to Royal Navy and Canadian naval specifications were no more successful. However the Type 192, the prototype of which flew on 5 July 1958, was adopted by the RAF. In the initial configuration, this aircraft had a purely manual system of control and wooden rotor blades but power controls and metal blades were standardized on the fifth prototype built in 1960. That year, three pre-production aircraft were assigned to the RAF for a series of trials for which they were based at Odiham. Twenty-six of these helicopters, called the "Belvedere", were ordered and used for some years for military transport, not only in the United Kingdom, but also in the Middle and Far East. The "Belvedere" was withdrawn from service in March 1969.
The production Bristol 192s had an all-metal, skinned fuselage and an anhedral tailplane, compared with the dihedral one of the Type 173. The two rotors had four metal blades and the front wheels of the fixed quadricycle landing gear were self-castoring. The helicopter's maximum capacity was 30 seats or 2700kg internal payload. The instrumentation also permitted night flying. G.Apostolo "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Helicopters", 1984
Bristol 191
Ship-based development of Type 173 with modified fuselage, u/c etc. Three built but only used for static test. Bristol 192
Production version of Model 191 for RAF use with two cabin windows only, starboard cargo hatch, cargo hoist beneath fuselage, large anhedralled tailplane and powered by two 1465shp Napier Gazelle turboshafts. Prot. XG447 FF 5 Jul. 1958. 26 built.
In July 1958 the Bristol 192 made its maiden flight and this marked the successful climax to the development of the 173. As the Westland Belvedere this entered service with the Royal Air Force, though this was only after the 191 and 193 had been cancelled by the RAF and Royal Canadian Air Force respectively. The 192 was powered by two Napier Gazelle Series 2 engines derated to 920shp.
As the 192C it was tested by BEA and offered its 24 passengers a unique high-speed service between London and Paris.
On May 30, 1961, C T D Hosegood flew from London to Paris in 1 hour 41 min 28 sec and on June 2, 1961, from Paris to London in 1 hour 40 mm 55 sec. This is the equivalent of 202.32km/h outwards and 203.51 km/h on the return flight. Bill Gunston "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Commercial Aircraft", 1980
FACTS AND FIGURES- The first Belvedere suffered noise
and stability problems - rectified by
redesigning the rotor hubs and tailplane. - On 24 August 1952 the prototype for the
Belvedere series made its maiden flight. - The prototype was demonstrated at the
Farnborough air show in September 1952. - British European Airways leased a
Belvedere briefly but never used it in
commercial service. - The first production aircraft with Gazelte
engines made its initial flight in July 1958. - The Belvedere had a long career, ending
its RAF service in March 1969.
| Technical data for Bristol "Belvedere" HC.1
Engine: 2 x Napier Gazelle N.Ga.2 turboshafts, rated at 1092kW,
rotor diameter: 14.91m,
length with rotors turning: 27.36m,
height: 5.26m,
max take-off weight: 9072kg,
empty weight: 5277kg,
max cruising speed: 222km/h,
service ceiling: 5275m,
range with 2722kg payload: 122km
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| mike wallace, e-mail, 14.01.2011 | reply |
I agree with M Winslow;I have a photo of 11 Belvederes in formation over the Malacca Straits, probably in early 1967.I was on 26 sqdn at Khormaksar(4 /4 /65 to 15 /12 /65)then 4 Belvederes were taken to Seletar on board HMS Bulwark arriving shortly before christmas 1965, to join 66Sqdn.I left 66 Sqdn in July 1967 for the UK, after many happy times and a spell in Kuching to boot!! | | Ian Wilson, e-mail, 24.02.2011 | reply |
Finally found more on 66 based at Kuching. I served with 66sqdn exactly the same period as Bill France. 12 months in Kuching was something else.
Must have flown on more than 60 flights, blade tracking etc due to vibrations, flights to Bau Lake, Kapit, Sibu, Simmangang etc. Even put 2 fire out on start up lovely stuff Avpn and carts starting system. Even flew down to the docks took the blades off and 3 days at sea (again) Singapore blades on and flew to Seletar. Final trip was in a DH Heron FM-1024 I think 3,5 to Singapore VIP flight. How time flies,finally stopping work in 2012 after 46 years in aviation. Last asignment is here in the Netherlands working for Martinair Engineering. ps Several test flights to 5000feet now that Belvedere flying Bunny Austin was our CO thru thick and thin with him. Years later whilst at Odiham we met again I ended up on 230 sqdn Pumas he was now a WC.
Ian | | Alison Armes, e-mail, 25.03.2011 | reply |
My dad was killed in the crash on 30 /7 /62 his name was Roy Mitchell. I am doing a bit of research on it as it is 50 years next year. If anyone has any information please contact me. Is it true the helicopter had metal fatigue after lifting the spire on Coventry Cathedral? |
| Jimmy Scott, e-mail, 01.04.2011 | reply |
72 Sqdn at RAF Odiham was my 1st posting after Boy /Entrant training at RAF St Athan. It was a very exciting time in my life. A brand new aircraft and a chance to be a real mechanic. Jesus, we learned fast!! This was no easy task, even a blade change required team work. I learned a lot, very quickly, and thank the Belvedere for giving me an excellent 'foundation' in Airframe skills. | | Vic Moulder, e-mail, 27.05.2011 | reply |
My experience with the Belvedere was back in 1962 or 3 whilst being extracted from an operation on the Malay Thai border area by a RAF Belvedere as an Infantryman with 2ND Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, we the best part of our platoon borded and were flying at night over thick jungle in extremely bad weather when we had to make a emergency landing, the skipper to his credit found a clearing, unfortunately it was occupied by a small Kampong [village] we came down pretty hard doing some damage as I can recollect, eventualy we found trucks and were extracted back to base, the word we had back was that the aircraft had run out of fuel, and that the Flt Sgt had not refueled ? anybody out there have any recollections of this incident ? | | kevan stewart, e-mail, 02.08.2011 | reply |
I travelled aboard the last belvedere to fly in singapore at the disbandment fly-past of 66 squadron at R.A.F Seletar. This aircraft is the one on display at the R.A.F museum Hendon. I managed to srounge many flights on these aircraft while I was a member of the Air Training Corps based at Seletar until I left in 1970 | | Michael Maylor, e-mail, 12.11.2011 | reply |
I remember the crash near Gutersloh in '62 I was 14 back then.It was a lovely day (I was at the the camp outdoor swimming pool) when two Belverdere aircraft passed low over us having just taken off. Minutes later sirens were sounding and RAF chaps running.. My friend and I jumped on our bikes and headed to the crash site not far away.. We could'nt take it in.. everything destroyed of one and the other helicopter parked closeby.A Very Sad Scene. | | Sim Morrison, e-mail, 19.11.2011 | reply |
Anyone recall Belvedere Poem? Around 1965 there was a poem written about the Belvedere and it was in either Air Clues or the local MEAF equivalent. I remember I cried laughing when I read it in Aden, wish I had kept a copy. It was a ditty relating the noise and the way things used to fall off the machine. Anyone got a copy? | | Brian Mitchely, e-mail, 18.01.2012 | reply |
Hello all, I am really enjoying reading your stories. It sounds like I am surrounded by my Grandfather. Thank you all for your service, and your stories. | |
| | Dave Branchett, e-mail, 23.01.2012 | reply |
I served on 66 Sqdn as a sergeant Engine fitter from 1967 to 1969 when we disbanded. Best tour I ever had, from my first flight I was hooked, and loved the whole thing. Very tricky aircraft to maintain but we revelled in it because we were the only people in the world who had them and the morale was the highest I ever experienced. Any ex 66 from that time please contact me, I'll be chuffed to hear from you. |
| Mike Brundle, e-mail, 04.02.2012 | reply |
My only brother was killed in July 62 along with 5 others, seems just like yesterday | | Sandra (Chidgey) Arthur, e-mail, 07.02.2012 | reply |
My father, Ron AK Chidgey was a radio technician with 66 Sqn from 64-67
He served one year unaccompanied tour in Borneo and then a further 18 months in Singapore . I have a photo of 5 belevderes in formation taken on 12 April 1965. I writing a junior fiction book based on my days experience in Borneo and would love to hear from anyone that may have known my Dad or perhaps has any photos or photo of him. Have a number of stories that can share - will post later.
Warm wishes | | Montgomery, e-mail, 02.12.2013 | reply |
Was only in this chopper once.think 1965 /66 Borneo argylls,,what really put me of that one comment was mad,o that is the widow maker.fk.crapping myself but where we were toning we made it, | | Shona Berrisford, e-mail, 15.07.2012 | reply |
My father M /plt AT Davidson flew these in both Singapore and Aden. I have never forgotten the day I watched one drop out of the sky from the swimming pool at Khormaksar. Awful! | | Chris Bousher, e-mail, 23.10.2012 | reply |
I was in Aden between '63 and '65 where my dad (M.Plt Stan Bousher) was a Belvedere pilot on 26 sqdn. He was injured in an avpin explosion at Khormaksar in 1964. There is an authoritative book on the introduction of helicopters into the RAF, including lots of stuff about the Belvedere - 'RAF Helicopters - the first twenty years' by W.Cdr John Dowling (isbn 0-11-772725-3). Out of print now but I got a copy via Amazon. Well worth tracking it down if you're an anorak about these things like me. |
| Mike Brown, e-mail, 11.04.2010 | reply |
In Aden (1963 /1964) the Belvederes had the next block of buildings to my Shackleton squadron and we provided volunteers to man the waist gpmg's. It was always said that if you saw a Belvedere starting up you watched closely so that in the event of an avpin fire you could be a witness at the inquiry rather than on the Board. Sadly we lost one Belvedere in the Mukeiras area, the others were shipped out to the Far East on one of the carriers. | | Nina duncan, e-mail, 10.02.2015 | reply |
My dad Ken halls..known as noddy to some was flight set on these.we were stationed at seleter and lived there for 3 wonderful years.my father sadly passed away 3 years ago..can anyone remember him? | | Owen O'Mahony, e-mail, 10.02.2010 | reply |
I flew the Belvedere with 66 Sqn at Seletar as a first tour pilot from 1967 to disbandment in March 1969. I was also Sqn Adjutant. It was indeed a "widow maker" but I do remember some very interesting and challenging jungle flying particularly taking the RAAF Nurses from Butterworth for regular "Dinghy Drill" to some isolated beach. Several search & rescue missions, the last was finding the 34 Sqn Beverley which crashed on a hilltop in bad weather. The only clue was a broken branch and hole in the tree canopy no more than 6 feet diameter. That was very poignant for me since I knew some of the crew and had flown on Belverleys as an Air Signaller some years earlier. Sadly, there wasn't any well organised Squadron association and everybody disappeared into the "ether"; there were also a few that we didn't need to stay in contact with. There are not many of us left now - I know how to contact three other pilots. Overall - fond memories | | Mick Winslow, e-mail, 22.01.2010 | reply |
I served with 66Sqn until disbandment in 1969. Just to put the record straight we did manage to get all 12 aircraft in the air at once, this happened after the 2 belvederes in Kuching returned to Seletar to rejoin 66 Sqn. Just prior to the Sqn disbandant in 1969 we had 11 belvederes in formation flying around Singapore, we should have had all 12 but one let us down with starter problems. It was quite a sight to see, I was a passenger on one of them. The only two places to see a real one are in the Science Museum in Manchester and the RAF Musueum in Hendon.
I have quite a few photos of Belvederes during my 2 year time spend on 66 Sqn.if any one is interested.
Mick Winslow | | Ken Anderson, e-mail, 10.01.2010 | reply |
I served with the Army in Borneo 1965-66. We were reliant on the Belvedere for tasking our Green Archer Radars and Silent Generators around the 1st Div Sarawak.
I've a nice photo if someone can tell me how to post it. |
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Virtual Aircraft Museum
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Dave Branchett
Hi Alison - my brother Dennis was on on the same aircraft. We are planning a 60 th anniversary memorial /dedication service for this year 2022. We are reaching out to families of all the crew involved this tragic accident. It would be great to make contact.
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