Today In History:  16 August  [1952]   --  The prototype Bristol "Britannia" makes its first flight
The prototype Bristol Type 175 "Britannia" (G-ALBO) makes its first flight from Filton, Bristol, England.

During development two prototypes were lost and the turboprop engines proved susceptible to inlet icing, which delayed entry into service while solutions were sought. By the time development was completed, "pure" jet airliners from France, the United Kingdom, and the United States were about to enter service, and consequently, only 85 Britannias were built before production ended in 1960.

PHOTO: Bristol Britannia 312 G-AOVT of BOAC at Manchester Airport in 1962

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Photo Attribution:  CC BY-SA 3.0  via Wikimedia.