Operational history Bristol 188

the first prototype bristol 188 landing @ farnborough after giving public display @ 1962 sbac show

in may 1960, first airframe delivered royal aircraft establishment @ farnborough structural tests – loading tests both heated , unheated – before moving on rae bedford. xf923 undertook first taxiing trials on 26 april 1961, although due problems encountered, first flight not until 14 april 1962. xf923 intended remain bristol initial flights , evaluation before turning on moa. xf926 had first flight, using xf923s engines, on 26 april 1963. xf926 given on rae bedford flying programme. on 51 flights, managed top speed of mach 1.88 (1,440 mph : 2,300 km/h) @ 36,000 ft (11,000 m). longest subsonic bristol 188 flight 48 minutes in length, requiring 70% of fuel load expended attain operational altitude.

the first prototype made first public appearance in september 1962 when displayed on ground , in air @ years farnborough air show. in same year aircraft seen in film people.

measurements collected during testing recorded onboard , transmitted ground station recording. flight information transmitted meant ground pilot advise pilot.

bristol 188 @ raf museum, cosford.

the project suffered number of problems, main being fuel consumption of engines did not allow aircraft fly @ high speeds long enough evaluate thermal soaking of airframe, 1 of main research areas built investigate. combined fuel leaks, inability reach design speed of mach 2 , takeoff speed @ 300 mph (480 km/h), test phase severely compromised. nonetheless, although 188 programme abandoned, knowledge , technical information gained put use future concorde program. inconclusive nature of research use of stainless steel led concordes being constructed conventional aluminium alloys mach limit of 2.2. experience gained gyron junior engine, first british gas turbine designed sustained supersonic operation, additionally later assisted development of bristol (later rolls royce) olympus 593 powerplant used on both concorde , bac tsr-2.

various proposals further develop 188 considered including incorporating ramjets , rocket engines considering fighter , reconnaissance variants. 1 serious proposal involved fitting of wedge type intakes.

the announcement development terminated made in 1964, last flight of xf926 taking place on 12 january 1964. in total project cost £20 million. end of programme, considered expensive date research aircraft in great britain, each aircraft had cannibalised in order keep designated airframe ready flight.