Bristol Britannia 312
Serial Number:
G-AOVF
Period:
Post-WWII
Collection Ref: 84/A/740
Location: RAF Museum Cosford, Transport & Training
Designed to a 1947 specification for a medium-range airliner
for the British Overseas Airways Corporation, the Britannia prototype
made its first flight on 16 August 1952. A long-range version, the Series
300 as pictured, was developed for trans-Atlantic service and entered
service on the London-New York route on 19 December 1957.
85 Britannias were built and the RAF used twenty-three as long range troop
and freight transports. Despite initial setbacks, Bristol's 'Whispering
Giant' proved itself a successful airliner with its speed, comfort and
lack of vibration putting it ahead of its competitors. When BOAC retired
the Britannia in 1964, it became the mainstay of the independent sector
and saw widespread use for cargo work.
G-AOVF was built for BOAC and first flew on 18 December 1957. The highlight
of its career was its use by HRH Princess Margaret on a tour of the West
Indies in 1958. G-AOVF flew into Cosford from Southend on 31 May 1984.
