The largest airliner that the United Kingdom ever built was the piston powered Bristol Brabazon. Featuring a wingspan greater than a Boeing 747, it was truly something else.
Unfortunately, it was designed for an era that had already passed. Featuring on board sleeping berths, a dining room and even a cinema, it was completely unsuitable for the market.
Bristol Brabazon Video
Following on from last weeks video on the Boeing 2707 American Supersonic, this video is made by the same people. It shows the history of the Bristol Brabazon.
It was designed as an ocean liner of the skies, with the capability of flying non-stop from London to New York. Luxury was the name of the game, with a passenger capacity of between 50 and 100 people.
Fully pressurised, it contained a cocktail bar and ample space for everyone on board. While it could have carried up to 300 people, this was not the design intent.
Eight engines were required to get the aircraft into the air, and even then it only had a slow cruising speed of around 250 miles per hour. Arriving on scene at the same time as the first jets, it was a white elephant from the start.
Overall Thoughts
Ambition was certainly prevalent back in the post war era. Had the Bristol Brabazon entered production around ten years earlier, it could possibly have been a success.
Technology progressed very quickly during World War II and just overtook this aircraft, making it irrelevant. The money spent was essentially wasted.
The prototype flew in 1949 and was scrapped in 1953 after no airlines showed any interest in the product. While it is a footnote in aviation history, it is an interesting thing to remember.
Have you heard of the Bristol Brabazon? Thanks for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.
Enjoying the series? Check out the index to all the “Does Anyone Remember…” articles.
To never miss a post, follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
All my flight and lounge reviews are indexed here so check them out!
Featured image via Pinterest.
Interesting; I had never heard of that aircraft, but it was an ambitious plan. Speaking of cocktail lounges, I seem to remember that somebody’s DC-10’s had a cocktail lounge situated between First/Business Class and regular or economy class (cant remember what they called the cheaper seats in those days). DC-10, A great aircraft !!
Yes, I think a few airlines had those lounges on the original widebody jets. I think American had some piano bar down the back on the DC10. I’m sure I’ll do a post on that aircraft sometime! Thanks for the comment!
Never head of it till now. Thanks for this. Its always nice to hear about unknown aircraft. She looks a beauty!
You’re welcome! I would have loved to try that on board cinema and the sleeping berths, that’s for sure! Thanks for the comment.
I love this series. Thanks.
You’re welcome! Thanks for the comment!