The Bristol Britannia was designed to meet the requirements of British Overseas Aircraft Corporation (BOAC) trans-Atlantic routes, carrying upto 90 passengers back and forth to the USA. An initial 25 (Series 100) were ordered by BOAC in July 1949 and the name Britannia chosen in April 1950. In service, the elegant Britannia was advertised as ‘The Whispering Giant’. Stretched developments were offered for all cargo (Series 200), passenger cargo (Series 250) and all passenger operations (Series 300). BOAC selected the Series 300 for the trans-Atlantic route, leading to additional orders from El Al and Canadian Pacific. The Britannia 301 was first flown on 31st July 1956, the Series 310, with increased fuel capacity flying in December of the same year. The first Britannia service from London to New York was flown in December 1957.
The Britannia was powered by Four Bristol Proteus engines They were the first mass produced gas turbine engine design, a turboprop that delivered just over 4,000 hp (3,000 kW). The Proteus was a reverse-flow gas turbine. Because the second turbine drove no compressor stages, but only the propeller, this engine was classified as a free-turbine.
