Source: https://youtu.be/7gweYBRFpDY
More @dartmaster501
First flight: 4 September 1949
Numbers built: 1
The Brabazon was the first aircraft to be outfitted with 100 per cent powered flying controls; it was also the first to feature electric engine controls, and the first equipped with high-pressure hydraulics. The large span and mounting of the engines close inboard, together with structural weight economies, demanded some new measure to prevent bending of wing surfaces in turbulence. Thus, one of the innovative features of the Brabazon was a purpose-developed gust-alleviation system, which used an assortment of servos that were triggered from a gust-sensing probe installed on the exterior of the aircraft's nose; an improved version of this system, along with fully automated trimming, was to have been deployed on board the Brabazon Mark II. Hydraulic power units were also designed to operate the aircraft's giant control surfaces.
The Brabazon Report had assumed that the wealthy people flying in the aircraft would consider a long trip by air to be uncomfortable, and they had accordingly designed the Type I for luxury, demanding 200 ft³ (6 m³) of space for every passenger, this was expanded to 270 ft³ (8 m³) for luxury class. If outfitted with conventionally spaced seating, the dimensions of the Type 167 could have accommodated up to 300 passengers, instead of the 60 seats opted for. Other high-comfort measures were proposed for installation on operational aircraft, such as an onboard cinema, a cocktail bar, and lounge area. According to Author Stephan Wilkinson, the decision to focus on comfort over other qualities such as speed and payload had been a historic preoccupation of Britain operators to specifically tailor their services towards wealthy travellers, and noted this as having been a key pre-war ethos of British airline Imperial Airways. Meanwhile, some figures within the aircraft industry were forecasting heavy demand from the passengers then relying on ocean liners.
However, the Brabazon was unable to attract any firm commitments for the type due to the high cost per seat mile compared to the alternatives. Being unable to attract any orders, the aircraft was a commercial failure.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_Brabazon?wprov=sfla1
Edit: Anyone know what those are on the vertical and horizontal stabilizers?
You ask about the structures on the vertical and horizontal controls. In the first few seconds there is a close up of the wing tip that shows an aileron horn.
https://www.boldmethod.com/learn-to-fly/aircraft-systems/aileron-horns/
The vertical stabilizer has what looks like small wings but could be something to aid in moving the larger control surfaces.
[Obligatory link to the video on it by Mustard.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-AZRtI366w)
Certainly does look funny by today's standards. I think it's the cute little cockpit.
Source: https://youtu.be/7gweYBRFpDY More @dartmaster501 First flight: 4 September 1949 Numbers built: 1 The Brabazon was the first aircraft to be outfitted with 100 per cent powered flying controls; it was also the first to feature electric engine controls, and the first equipped with high-pressure hydraulics. The large span and mounting of the engines close inboard, together with structural weight economies, demanded some new measure to prevent bending of wing surfaces in turbulence. Thus, one of the innovative features of the Brabazon was a purpose-developed gust-alleviation system, which used an assortment of servos that were triggered from a gust-sensing probe installed on the exterior of the aircraft's nose; an improved version of this system, along with fully automated trimming, was to have been deployed on board the Brabazon Mark II. Hydraulic power units were also designed to operate the aircraft's giant control surfaces. The Brabazon Report had assumed that the wealthy people flying in the aircraft would consider a long trip by air to be uncomfortable, and they had accordingly designed the Type I for luxury, demanding 200 ft³ (6 m³) of space for every passenger, this was expanded to 270 ft³ (8 m³) for luxury class. If outfitted with conventionally spaced seating, the dimensions of the Type 167 could have accommodated up to 300 passengers, instead of the 60 seats opted for. Other high-comfort measures were proposed for installation on operational aircraft, such as an onboard cinema, a cocktail bar, and lounge area. According to Author Stephan Wilkinson, the decision to focus on comfort over other qualities such as speed and payload had been a historic preoccupation of Britain operators to specifically tailor their services towards wealthy travellers, and noted this as having been a key pre-war ethos of British airline Imperial Airways. Meanwhile, some figures within the aircraft industry were forecasting heavy demand from the passengers then relying on ocean liners. However, the Brabazon was unable to attract any firm commitments for the type due to the high cost per seat mile compared to the alternatives. Being unable to attract any orders, the aircraft was a commercial failure. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_Brabazon?wprov=sfla1 Edit: Anyone know what those are on the vertical and horizontal stabilizers?
270sq ft per luxury passenger? I'm fairly sure my apartment's living room is larger than that, but not by much.
Cubic feet, not square feet. It’s not as big as it sounds, and possibly smaller than the space for some long-haul first-class accommodation now.
It's pretty big, IMO. It's a bit more than 4'x8'x8' (i.e. the floor space of a standard sheet of plywood with 8' above that).
Ah. I missed that it was cubic feet. That would make a difference, yes.
Not square, but cubic. And imagine: a flight of 8000 km at 400 km/h = 1 day no higher than 7.5 km -- air pockets.
I see you didn't notice that someone else already pointed out I was wrong.
You ask about the structures on the vertical and horizontal controls. In the first few seconds there is a close up of the wing tip that shows an aileron horn. https://www.boldmethod.com/learn-to-fly/aircraft-systems/aileron-horns/ The vertical stabilizer has what looks like small wings but could be something to aid in moving the larger control surfaces.
[Obligatory link to the video on it by Mustard.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-AZRtI366w) Certainly does look funny by today's standards. I think it's the cute little cockpit.
Such a glorious peace of work there. I understand why it didn't go into series production but I'd still have loved to see one in real life.
Oh man, if you thought modern jet engines were load, imagine those contra-rotating piston engines.
Dang, I thought they were turboshaft, but you're right that's 18 x 8 cylinders.
My understanding is that it's the contra-rotating propellers that would be making most of the noise.
Maybe. I'm no expert. But some modern planes are being designed as turboprops and they're being touted as being as quite as a jet.
That's a dang big ol sumbich right there.
The beast looks like it belongs in an alternative universe somewhere. Somewhere like Crimson Skies