What was the first British tandem-rotor helicopter?

Short answer

The Bristol Type 173, a twin-engined British transport helicopter with tandem rotors built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, made its first hovering flight on 3 January 1952. It never entered production, but it led to the Bristol Belvedere, operated by the Royal Air Force.

Published: November 5, 2026 · Updated: November 5, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

What was the first British tandem-rotor helicopter?

Hafner RII Revoplane (BAPC 10)HawkeyeUK (CC BY SA), vía commons

A twin-engined tandem-rotor helicopter

The Bristol Type 173 was a twin-engined British transport helicopter with tandem rotors built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company. Its first prototype made its first hovering flight on 3 January 1952. Trials then included the first flight beyond the hover. The Mk 1 and Mk 2 prototypes carried two nine-cylinder Alvis Leonides 73 engines, of 550 hp (410 kW) each.

From the 173 to the Belvedere

The Type 173 did not enter production, but it was developed into the Bristol Belvedere, operated by the Royal Air Force. The first prototype of the Type 192, XG447, flew on 5 July 1958. The Belvedere HC Mark 1 entered RAF service in 1961. It was retired in 1969. Its powerplant consisted of two Napier Gazelle turboshafts of 1,465 shp (1,092 kW) each.