Brabazon Flight test programme
Think of the biggest plane you've ever seen. OK? Probably a Boeing 747,jumbo jet. Imagine yourself over fifty years ago when the biggest aircraft you had seen was probably a Lancaster Bomber. Visualise that 747, got it clearly in mind! Now imagine an aircraft more than twice as big, four times as heavy and able to fly three times as far. That was how the Bristol Brabazon struck people in 1949. To small boys it was awesome.In 1949, some two years late, the Type 167, Bristol Brabazon was ready for its maiden flight and its test programme. The maiden flight was scheduled for September 4th of that year. The factory, the local population and the nation eagerly awaited the great lift off. This aircraft would see Great Britain as the world leader in modern aircraft design and technology. The crew were selected with Test pilot Bill Pegg given the honour of being the first to 'lift' the big bird into the air. Go to the next page > | This is page 6 of The Bristol Brabazon - Engineering masterpiece or Great White Elephant. View the complete story contents.
The Crew step out in style following a successful maiden flight - Curtesy of associated Newspapers |
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