Dates

Event

Constructed as a 175-101.
Second prototype Britannia.

25 June 1951

To UK Ministry of Supply with new c/r G-ALRX (BRITANNIA 101, 12874).

23 December 1953

First flight.

4 February 1954

Crashed.
Summary: The airframe was written off. This was a demonstration flight for KLM. Narrative: Some 7 minutes after takeoff the no. 3 engine oil temperature rose. The engine was shut down and relit when oil temperature had fallen. Following demonstration of a stall manoeuvre, the temperature again rose followed by a fire in the no. 3 engine nacelle. The fire could not be contained, so the no. 4 engine was stopped as a precautionary measure. On approach to Filton the no. 1 and 2 engines both quit. The were quickly restarted, but an emergency belly landing was made on the mud flats of the Severn Estuary...
For a complete description of the event read the Aviation Safety Network Report.

After 1954

To Bristol Aeroplane Company.
Forward fuselage recovered to Filton and converted to instructional airframe.

To Aeromedical and Safety School, Boscombe Down.
Instructional Airframe.

1995

To Britannia Aircraft Preservation Trust.

December 1995

Loaned to Bristol Aero Collection, Banwell, Somerset, UK.

1996

Placed on display with Bristol Aero Collection, Kemble Airport, Kemble, Gloucestershire, England.
View the Location Dossier

2012

Transported by ground.
Placed in storage at Filton pending construction of new museum.

23 December 2013

To Bristol Aero Collection.
Ownership transferred from Britannia Aircraft Preservation Trust on 60th Anniversary of first flight.

August 2017

To Aerospace Bristol, Bristol, Gloucestershire-South, England.
View the Location Dossier

10 March 2018

Photographer: Andrew Appleton

27 October 2021

Photographer: Alan Kilham
Notes: Displayed at Aerospace Bristol, Filton.