Bristol Type 172

The Bristol Type 172 was a 1940s proposed British long range four-engined bomber project. Although work was carried out on designing experimental half-scale variants, none were built and the project was abandoned.

Type 172
Projection drawing[1][2]
Role Long-range Bomber
National origin United Kingdom
Manufacturer Bristol Aeroplane Company
Number built 0

Design and development

In October 1946 the Bristol Aeroplane Company tendered a design to the British Air Ministry for a high-speed long-range bomber with four turbojet engines.[3] Designated Type 172, it was liked by Air Staff, who asked the company to build a smaller half-scale Rolls Royce Nene-powered single-seat aircraft, the Type 174, to the same geometric design with a 45 degree wing sweep.[3]

On 23 July 1947, the Air Ministry issued Specification E.8/47 ("Prototype Flying Models to Operational Requirement 250") to Bristol, who designated it the Type 174.[3][4] After investigation it was found that the high subsonic flow around the wing-body junction would not work, the wing leading edge would need to be swept.[3] In November 1947 work on the Type 174 was stopped and the E.8/47 specification was revised.[3] The revised specification was issued on 8 June 1948 and required a smaller 3/10th scale aircraft powered by a Rolls-Royce Avon engine.[4] Work on the revised design, the Type 176, was started in February 1948.[3] At a subsequent mock-up conference the company felt it could not support further work on the Type 176 as the company needed to concentrate on the Bristol Britannia turboprop airliner.[3]

Variants
Bristol Type 172
Proposal for a four-engined long-range bomber, not built.[3]
Bristol Type 174
Half-scale variant of the Type 172 for design evaluation powered by a Nene engine, not built.[3]
Bristol Type 176
Revised 3/10th Scale development aircraft for the Type 172 powered by a Avon engine, mock-up only, not built.[3]

Specification (Type 172 as proposed)

Data from Barnes[5]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 4
  • Length: 100 ft (30 m)
  • Wingspan: 110 ft (34 m)
  • Height: 28 ft (8.5 m)
  • Wing area: 2,250 sq ft (209 m2)
  • Empty weight: 80,000 lb (36,287 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 165,000 lb (74,843 kg)
  • Powerplant: 4 × Bristol turbojets , 9,000 lbf (40 kN) thrust each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 600 mph (970 km/h, 520 kn)
  • Range: 5,400 mi (8,700 km, 4,700 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,000 m)

References
Notes
  1. Buttler, Tony (2003). British secret projects : jet bombers since 1949. Hinkley: Midland. pp. 16–17. ISBN 9-781-85-780130-9.
  2. Porter, Andrew (2013). Transatlantic Betrayal. Amberley Publishing Limited. ISBN 9781445624297.
  3. Barnes 1988, pp.376-377
  4. Meekcoms/Morgan 1994, pp. 368-369
  5. Barnes 1988, p. 382

Bibliography
  • C.H. Barnes Bristol Aircraft since 1919, 1988, Putnam, London. ISBN 0 85177 823 2
  • Kev Darling. Avro Vulcan, part 1. Lulu.com, 2007. ISBN 9-781-84-799237-6.
  • K.J. Meekcom & E.B. Morgan. The British Aircraft Specifications File, 1994, Air-Britain,Tonbridge, Kent. ISBN 0 85130 220 3
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