evansb
Thanks for that, one learns something new every day in this Forum. When I first saw the photograph I was sure that it was a Bristol Sycamore but was thrown by the pilot's position at first I thought perhaps the photograph had got reversed when printed. Since your reply I find that the Pilot's psition was swapped when the Mk 14 was introduced.
The Bristol Type 171 was the first post-war british helicopter in production, and was manufactured at Filton and Weston-super-Mare.
Models:
Mk.1 - 2 seater, 450hp Pratt and Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior radial engine. First flight July 27 1947. Two prototypes (VL958 & VL963).
Mk.2 - 4 seater, 550hp Alvis Leonides 71 piston engine. First flight September 1949. Third prototype (VW905).
Mk.3 - as Mk.2 shorter nose, widened for 5 seats. (7 built)
HC Mk.10 - Mk.3 Ambulance version for Royal Air Force, with four doors (1 conversion)
HC Mk.11 - Mk.3 Army Communications version (4 built)
HR Mk.12 - Mk.3 Royal Air Force Coastal Command Air-Sea Rescue version (4 built)
HR Mk.13 - as HR Mk.12, with lengthened landing gear and winch (3 built)
HR Mk.14 - as HR Mk.12, with swapped pilot/co-pilot positions, and four doors (86 built)
HR Mk.14B - as HR Mk.14, for Force Aérienne Belge (Belgian Army) for use in the Congo (3 built)
HR Mk.50 - as HR Mk.12, with lengthened landing gear, for Royal Australian Navy (3 built)
HC Mk.51 - as HR Mk.14 for Royal Australian Navy (7 built)
Mk.52 - as HR Mk.14, for Luftwaffe/Marinesfleiger (West German Air Force/Navy) (50 built)
Mk.3A - Civil version of Mk.3, with extra baggage space (2 built)
Mk.4 - as Mk.3A, with lengthened landing gear, swapped pilot/co-pilot positions, and four doors. For B.E.A. (12 built, some converted to HR.14/HR.51)
First 95 were built at Filton, remaining built at Weston-super-Mare. 178 in total.
Mel