Bristol 173 prototype XF785 on display after 40 years

The Bristol Type 173 has emerged from over 40 years in deep storage, latterly Cosford, to be loaned to the Bristol Aero Collection at Kemble. It made the journey to Kemble on the 3rd January, exactly 50 years from its first untethered flight at Filton. On hand to receive the helicopter was Charles 'Sox' Hosegood, who was the test pilot at the controls on its first flight. The first flight was an eventful one, as it was soon realised that the only direction in which the helicopter could be flown was backwards. The fault was rectified, and test flights resumed in August 1952.
The rare helicopter will be cleaned up ready for the museums opening on the Easter weekend.

Bristol Brigand RH746 delivered to Bristol Aero Collection

The sole surviving Brigand fuselage, from B Mark 1 RH746, was moved to a new home at Kemble on 19th April. The battered fuselage, previously at the North East Aircraft Museum in Sunderland, is now on display with the Bristol Aero Collection. It had been in storage in Sunderland since the early 1980's when it was rescued from a scrap yard at Failsworth. The Bristol Aero Collection are looking for any Brigand parts for the its display.

Bristol Beaufighter RD220/BF-10 moves to UK

The Museum of Flight at East Fortune near Edinburgh have acquired a Bristol Beaufighter TF Mk.10 from the South African Air Force Museum at Swartkop. The aircraft, formerly RD220, is expected to arrive in November 2000. During World War 2 Beaufighters were stationed at several Scottish bases, including East Fortune. Although many Beaufighters were built at Filton, this example was built at the Old Mixon 'shadow' factory at Weston-super-Mare.

Bristol M1C replica G-BWJM/C4918 flies

The Shuttleworth Collections replica Bristol M.1C took to the air for the first time on 29th September 2000, at Old Warden in Bedfordshire. The aircraft carries the serial 'C4918', and is in 72 Squadron RAF colours. It is registered G-BWJM, and was built by Northern Aeroplane Workshops. 125 production M.1C's were built at Filton towards the end of World War I.