Did you know…
What rare engine did the Britannia prototype end up carrying?
Short answer
The G-ALBO prototype ended its life as an engine test bed: it was used for the development trials of the Bristol Orion in 1956 and the Proteus 765 in 1957. Bristol had modified it to bring it closer to production standard but kept it for those trials.
A prototype turned test bed
The G-ALBO prototype (c/n 12873) made its first flight on 16 August 1952 at Filton. It was later modified to bring it closer to production standard, but the company retained it for engine testing and development.
Orion and Proteus 765
During that period it was used for the development trials of the Bristol Orion in 1956 and the Proteus 765 in 1957. The Orion also featured in a stretched Britannia project that was to carry those engines. BOAC, meanwhile, had bought options on 25 aircraft powered by the Bristol Centaurus, with plans to re-engine them with the Bristol Proteus once available.
A short programme
Only 85 Britannias were built before production ended in 1960.
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