Short Brothers Belfast
Serial Number:
XR371
Period:
Post-WWII
Collection Ref: 78/A/1122
Location: RAF Museum Cosford, National Cold War Exhibition
Design of this long-range, strategic transport aircraft
began in February 1959, with the first flight in January 1964. Only ten
of the originally ordered thirty Belfasts were built, all for the RAF.
The Belfast, built by Short Brothers, is a giant of an aircraft at over
48m (158ft) span and 41m (136ft) long, weighing 56 tons empty and more
than twice that when fully loaded; consequently each aircraft was named
after a giant and XR371 was called 'Enceladus'.
The Belfast could carry 150 fully-equipped troops or a Chieftain tank
or two Wessex helicopters. It has enough room in its hold to carry two
single deck buses.
It worked all over the world on special flights for the armed forces until
phased out of service in 1976. Belfast XR371 was flown to Cosford in the
Autumn of 1978.
Belfasts are still operated commercially by Heavy Lift Cargo Airlines
Ltd. The Company specialises in the transportation of bulky freight and
together with its manufacturers, Short Brothers of Belfast, is a long
established supporter of the Museum.
