Bristol Type 188

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Contents

Type Description

• Type 188
• Single-seat Mach 2.5 research aircraft to meet the requirements of Specification ER.134, intended to obtain information on the fabrication of steel aircraft structures, initially in support of the Avro 730, which was expected to operate at high speeds for extended periods of time, more data was needed on high speed operations. The advanced nature of the aircraft meant that new construction methods had to be developed. Several materials were considered for construction and two specialist grades of steel were selected: a titanium-stabilized 18-8 austenitic steel and a 12%-Cr steel used in gas turbines (Firth-Vickers Rex 448). These had to be manufactured to better tolerances in sufficient quantities for construction to start. The 12% chromium stainless steel with a honeycomb centre was used for the construction of the outer skin, to which no paint was applied. Riveting was a potential method for construction but the new arc welding technique using an argon gas shield known as puddle welding was used. There were long delays with the method, which was less than satisfactory. The W. G. Armstrong Whitworth company provided substantial technical help and support to Bristol during this period; they produced major sections of the airframe as a subcontractor. Two 14,000 ib.s.t. de Havilland Gyron Junior DGJ.10 powerplants.

Specification
Span	Length *	Height	Wing Area	Empty Wt	Max AUW	Cruise Speed	Maximum Speed**	Range	Service Ceiling
35 ft 1 in	77 ft 8 in	14 ft	396 sq ft				Mach 1.9
10.69 m	23.67 m	4.27 m	36.79 m2

* Length overall, including nose probe
** Maximun achieved

Projected Variants

• Type 188F
• Proposed fighter derivative with two 30mm ADEN annon and a 21 inch radar dish. New 8,000 lb.s.t. powerplants based on the RB.106.

Production Details

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Production Summary

Production References

1. Bristol Aircraft Since 1910, C.H. Barnes (Putnam, 1964, 1970 and 1988)
2. Royal Air Force Aircraft XA100-XZ999, RAF Aircraft Register Series, J.J. Halley (Air-Britain Publications, 2001)
3. British Military Aircraft Serials and Markings), British Aviation Research Group (BARG/Nostalgair, 1983
4. British Research and Development Aircraft, Ray Sturtivant (Haynes, 1990)
5. British Experimental Jet Aircraft, Barrie Hygate (Argus Books, 1990)

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