Bristol Sycamore

During the Second World War, new methods of aircraft propulsion were devised and experimented with; in particular, breakthroughs in rotary aircraft, such as gyrocopters and helicopters, were making such aircraft more practical.[http://www.baesystems.com/en/heritage/bristol-171-sycamore "Bristol 171 Sycamore."] BAE Systems, Retrieved: 20 January 2017. In 1944, Bristol established a specialised helicopter division shortly after the Allied invasion of Europe, when engineers from the Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment (AFEE) at Beaulieu became available. The AFEE had been conducting its own work on the development of rotorcraft designs under the noted helicopter pioneer Raoul Hafner; however, the successful use of Airspeed Horsa and General Aircraft Hamilcar gliders during Operation Overlord had led to helicopter development being recognised as a priority. Hafner, whose company had been acquired by Bristol was promptly appointed by the company as the head of Bristol's new helicopter division.Myall, Eric. Sycamore Seeds: Background and Development of the Bristol Type 171. Air Enthusiast, #77, September/October 1998. pp. 14–19.[http://www.tangmere-museum.org.uk/aircraft-month/bristol-sycamore "Aircraft of the Month: Bristol Sycamore."] Tangmere Military Aviation Museum, Retrieved: 2 January 2017.

In June 1944, work commenced on the development on a four-seat helicopter intended for both civil and military use; it was out of this programme that the Sycamore would emerge. During development, particular emphasis was assigned to the producing the necessary level of endurance of the rotorcraft's mechanical components. On 25 July 1947, the first prototype, VL958, which was powered by a {{convert|450|hp|kW|adj=on}} Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior (there being no suitable engine in the Bristol range), performed the type's maiden flight. In mid-1948, the third prototype, which had been built to the improved Sycamore Mk.2 standard, was completed; this model had been fitted with a {{convert|550|hp|kW|adj=on}} Alvis Leonides engine, the Leonides engine would become the standard powerplant for all subsequent Sycamore production. On 25 April 1949, a certificate of airworthiness was granted for the Sycamore, the first such to be granted to a British helicopter.

During the flight test programme, Bristol's key development pilots for the Type 171 included Charles "Sox" Hosegood and Col. Robert "Bob" Smith. In 1951, a Bristol-owned Sycamore Mk.2 was used during a series of deck landing trials performed on board the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Triumph.{{cite web|url=http://www.helicoptermuseum.co.uk/bristol.htm |title=Bristol Aircraft Company |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201213441/http://helicoptermuseum.co.uk/bristol.htm |archive-date=1 December 2016 |publisher=The Helicopter Museum |access-date= 2 January 2017 |date=2016}} An improved model of the helicopter, designated as the Sycamore Mk.3, was rapidly developed; it featured an increased capacity for five occupants, a wider fuselage and a shortened nose. A total of 23 Sycamore Mk.3s were produced, 15 of these were principally used for joint evaluation purposes by the Royal Air Force (RAF), Army Air Corps (AAC), and British European Airways (BEA).

Versions of the Sycamore up to and including the Mk.3A retained the standard two-seat cockpit layout, placing the pilot in the left-hand seat and the co-pilot in the right. However, on the main production model, designated Sycamore Mk.4, this seating arrangement was switched to the American practice of positioning the pilot's seat on the right. There were also a number of other developments that had featured upon the earlier versions, such as a four-door design, which had been standardised upon the Sycamore Mk.4. This version entered RAF service, receiving the military designation of HR.14.

Civil versions were not marketed under the Sycamore name, they were instead known simply as the Bristol Type 171. By May 1958, over 150 Sycamores had been manufactured and four units per month were being built.Flight 1958, p. 369.

File:Helicopter Bristol 171 Sycamore main gear box and rotor head.jpg, Munich, Germany]]

The Bristol Sycamore was one of the first production helicopters to be developed. Each Sycamore was manufactured with all of the necessary fixed fittings to enable it to be quickly adapted for any of six major roles: search and rescue, air ambulance, passenger transport, freight transport, aerial crane and dual instruction; it was also used for other specialised roles. The Sycamore seated four-to-five occupants, depending on the model; it was usually fitted with three folding canvas seats as well as a single rotating seat besides the pilot. In addition to the passenger cabin, it had a separate luggage compartment.

A specialised air ambulance model of the Sycamore was developed during the early 1950s. In this configuration, up to two patients were carried inside the cabin on stretchers stacked one above the other; this was different to the usual arrangement of the era of using externally-mounted "pods" for carrying patients. To provide the extra width necessary in the cabin, detachable Perspex blisters were fitted on each side of the cabin. The stretcher racks could be folded into the sides of the cabin, providing room for up to three sitting casualties instead; an electrical supply outlet was available for connecting electric blankets. Next to the pilot was a swivelling seat for a medical attendant.[https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1951/1951%20-%201510.html "New Ambulance Helicopter."] Flight, 3 August 1951. p. 151.

The blades of the three-bladed main rotor were attached to the rotor head with lightweight interleaving steel plates while tie-rods carried the centrifugal tension loads. The blade levers were connected using ball joints to the arms of a control spider, the cone of which was actuated up and down by the collective pitch lever which changed the pitch of all the blades; an irreversible mechanism was used to prevent blade loads being transferred back to the control stick. The blades were supported when stationary or turning slowly by droop stops, which maintained a minimum clearance between the blade tips and the tailboom even in high winds; these stops were withdrawn above 100 rpm so that full freedom of movement for effective flight was possible.Flight 1958, pp. 369–370.

The Sycamore was powered by a single Alvis Leonides piston engine of {{cvt|550|hp|kW}}.Flight 1958, p. 370. The engine was mounted below and to the rear of the main rotor on a flexible mounting to reduce vibrations transmitted to the helicopter structure. It was isolated in a fireproof enclosure which was fitted with fire detection and extinguishing equipment to meet certification requirements. Air was drawn through a forward-facing grill to cool the gearbox before passing through the engine cowling and leaving the fuselage. The engine power was controlled by the collective pitch lever. In order to maintain the rotor speed at its required setting fuel to the engine had to be automatically varied as the rotor pitch setting commanded by the pilot changed the load on the engine; fine adjustment of engine power was achieved by twisting the pitch lever. The Sycamore had a relatively high rotor speed for the era, which was claimed to give a smoother ride and be safer in the event of engine failure.

File:Sycamore 58.jpg

From 1952 to 1955 the Sycamore was used for various trials by the Air-Sea Warfare Development Unit RAF{{Cite web|url=https://www.helis.com/database/sqd/328/|title=Air/Sea Warfare Development Unit - Royal Air Force |work=helis.com}} which was stationed at RAF St. Mawgan.

In April 1953, the Sycamore HR14 entered service with No. 275 Squadron of the RAF and went on to serve with nine squadrons in total. Various marks of Sycamore served with the RAF; they would primarily be used as air ambulances ( Sycamore HC.10 ), for Army communications ( Sycamore HC.11 ) and for search and rescue operations (Sycamore HR.12 to Sycamore HR.14). In 1953, No. 275 Squadron, equipped with Sycamores, became the RAF's first helicopter search and rescue squadron in Great Britain. The type was used by the RAF Central Flying School for pilot training purposes. In June 1953, a Sycamore towing a large RAF Ensign led a flypast by 640 British and Commonwealth aircraft at the Coronation Review of the RAF.{{cite book |last=Wilson |first=Keith |date=2022 |title=RAF in Camera: 100 Years on Display |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gER1EAAAQBAJ&pg=PA110 |location=Barnsley, South Yorkshire |publisher=Pen & Sword Aviation |page=110 |isbn=978-1526752185 |via=Google Books}}

The Sycamore was heavily used during the Malayan Emergency (1948–1960), typically deploying Army foot patrols into the jungle. Numerous Sycamores were transferred to the Far East Air Force to participate in the conflict; however, the type was involved in a number of crashes in the region which had occurred as a result of tail or main rotor blade problems.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1953/1953%20-%200189.html |title=For Jungle Rescue |magazine=Flight |date= 13 February 1953 |page= 87 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170202002324/https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1953/1953%20-%200189.html |archive-date= 2017-02-02 }} In response, a series of blade trials were conducted prior to a modified blade design being adopted and Sycamore operations in the theatre being resumed. Following the end of most combat operations in August 1960, Sycamores remained in the region, including a detachment in Brunei, to support British forces stationed there to deter further aggression by Malayan communist guerrillas.

File:100 years of the RAF MOD 45163720.jpg

The type also saw combat service with the RAF during the Cyprus Emergency and the Aden Emergency, in addition to other operations. In December 1971, the last of the RAF's Sycamores were officially retired; this had been due to critical parts having reached the end of their fatigue life. However 32 Squadron continued to operate two Sycamores until August 1972.

Fifty Sycamores were delivered to the German Federal Government. Three helicopters were produced for the Belgian Government for use in the Belgian Congo; it had been picked due to the type's good capabilities in tropical environments, as proven during its combat use in Malaysia.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1954/1954%20-%200870.html |title=Belgian Sycamores |magazine=Flight |date=2 April 1954 |page=392 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020032615/https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1954/1954%20-%200870.html |archive-date=2017-10-20}} The Sycamore was the second helicopter type to be used by the Australian Defence Force; ten were delivered to the Royal Australian Navy.

The Sycamore was also used in a variety of civilian roles. A single example was used during the construction of the M1 motorway between London and Leeds; the type provided support in various roles, including to perform aerial surveying, communication across various sites, the carriage of both personnel and equipment, and the mitigation of flooding on the project.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1958/1958-1-%20-%200200.html |title=A Highway and a Helicopter |magazine=Flight |date= 8 August 1958 |page= 204 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202001243/https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1958/1958-1-%20-%200200.html |archive-date=2017-02-02 }} Sycamores operated by Australian National Airways were routinely available for charter, performing tasks such as the aerial surveying of mining claims, supply missions, and the transporting of equipment across the remote Outback areas of the nation.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1956/1956%20-%201019.html |title=Sycamore in Tasmania |magazine=Flight |date= 27 July 1956 |page= 165 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202002328/https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1956/1956%20-%201019.html |archive-date=2017-02-02 }}

;Mk 1

: Prototype; two built.

;Mk 2

: Second prototype; one built.

;Mk 3

: Production model with five seats in a widened fuselage, with a shortened nose to improve visibility. 23 built, including Mk 3A.Chorlton, Martyn (ed.): Bristol. Company profile 1910-1959. Kelsey Publishing Ltd., 2014. {{ISBN|978-1-907426-70-4}}. p.108

;Mk 3A

: Civilian version with additional freight hold, two built for British European Airways.

;Mk 4

: This was the main production model and similar to the military version called Sycamore with a more powerful engine. 154 built.

;Sycamore HC.10

: (=Mk.3) one built for evaluation by the Army Air Corps as an air ambulance.

;Sycamore HC.11

: (=Mk.3) four built for evaluation by the Army Air Corps, as communications aircraft.

;Sycamore HR.12

: (=Mk.3A) four built for the RAF for evaluation as search and rescue aircraft.

;Sycamore HR.13

: (=Mk.3A) two built with rescue winches for the RAF for evaluation as search and rescue aircraft.

;Sycamore HR.14

: (=Mk.4) 85 built for the RAF, as search and rescue aircraft.

;Sycamore Mk.14

: three built for the Belgian Air Force, for use in the Belgian Congo.

;Sycamore Mk.50

: three built for the Royal Australian Navy, for search and rescue, and plane guard duties.

;Sycamore HC.51

: seven built for the Royal Australian Navy, for search and rescue, and plane guard duties.

;Sycamore Mk.52

: 50 built for the German Air Force and Navy.

File:BEA Bristol 171 Sycamore at London Gatwick.jpg

;{{UK}}

• British European Airways

;{{AUS}}

• Australian National Airways/Ansett-ANA
• Jayrow Helicopters

;{{AUT}}

• Flying Bulls In 2013 the Flying Bulls by Red Bull reinstated one Sycamore

File:Bristol 171 RAN.jpg service around 1960 taking off from the flight deck of HMAS Melbourne.]]

;{{AUS}}

• Royal Australian Air Force – Only two Sycamores were in service with the RAAF from 1951 to 1965. The two helicopters were used for general support duties at the Woomera Rocket Range in South Australia.
• Aircraft Research and Development Unit
• No. 1 Air Trials unit
• Royal Australian Navy
• 723 Squadron RAN
• 724 Squadron RAN

;{{BEL}}

• Belgian Air Force: Belgium used three Mk.14B's (registered as B1/OT-ZKA, B2/OT-ZKB & B3/OT-ZKC) to equip the metropolitan power in the Congo with a rescue flight based at Kamina Air Base,{{cite web|title=Bristol 171 Sycamore Mk.14, XG547 / G-HAPR|url=http://www.bamf.be/?Aircraft_of_the_Museum:Bristol_Sycamore|publisher=Brussels Air Museum Fund|access-date=11 October 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122045916/http://www.bamf.be/?Aircraft_of_the_Museum:Bristol_Sycamore|archive-date=22 January 2016}} Katanga Province. Used between 1954 and 1960.

; {{DEU}}

• Luftwaffe
• German Navy

; {{UK}}

File:Bristol 171 Syc HR.14 XJ917 HS.H CFS Cornn 30.08.77 edited-3.jpg (1977)]]

• Royal Air Force
• Air-Sea Warfare Development Unit
• Central Flying School
• 22 Squadron{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=139}}
• 32 Squadron{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=139}}
• 84 Squadron{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=139}}
• 103 Squadron{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=139}}
• 110 Squadron{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=139}}
• 118 Squadron{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=139}}
• 194 Squadron{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=139}}
• 225 Squadron{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=139}}
• 228 Squadron{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=139}}
• 275 Squadron{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=139}}
• 284 Squadron{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=139}}
• 651 Squadron{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=139}}
• 657 Squadron{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=139}}
• No. 1563 (Helicopter) Flight RAF
• Army Air Corps

File:Hubschraubermuseum Bückeburg 2010 0767.JPG in 2010]]

;On display

• Australian Fleet Air Arm Museum in Nowra

Stored or under restoration

• Sycamore A91-1, former RAAF, at the Australian National Aviation Museum in Moorabbin, Victoria

;Airworthy

• Sycamore HR.52 OE-XSY – Red Bull

; stored, on display for special events

• Waste Watchers Kehr Force One of MA48 (Vienna department for waste collection) trainee centre {{citation |url=https://www.austrianwings.info/2018/07/vie-letzter-flug-von-delfin-und-cmelak/ |title=VIE: Letzter "Flug" von "Delfin" und "Čmelak" |lang=de |date=9 July 2018}}

; stored and used for technical training

• Bundesfachschule für Flugtechnik, Langenlebarn, ex D-HFUM {{citation |url=https://www.austrianwings.info/2014/09/bfs-fuer-flugtechnik-in-langenlebarn-erhaelt-sycamore/ |date=11 September 2014 |title=BFS für Flugtechnik in Langenlebarn erhält Sycamore |lang=de}}

;On display

• Sycamore HR.14 XG547 of the Royal Air Force at Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels

;On display

• Sycamore HR.52 78+20 of the German Army at Hubschraubermuseum Bückeburg

File:Preserved Bristol 171 Sycamore helicopter (OE-XSY) of the Flying Bulls departs RIAT Fairford 16July2018 arp.jpg departs the 2018 RIAT, England. Built 1957.]]

;On display

• Sycamore 3 G-ALSX – The Helicopter Museum in Weston-super-MareEllis 2016, p. 206.
• Sycamore 3 WA576 – Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum, Dumfries.Ellis 2016, p. 309.
• Sycamore 3 WA577 – North East Aircraft Museum, Sunderland.Ellis 2016, p. 182.
• Sycamore 3 WT933 – Newark Air Museum, Newark.Ellis 2016, p. 185.
• Sycamore HR.12 WV781 – Caernarfon Airport Airworld Museum, CaernarfonEllis 2016, p. 320.
• Sycamore HR.12 WV787 – RAF Museum London.Ellis 2016, p. 155.
• Sycamore HR.14 XG502 – Museum of Army Flying, Middle Wallop, Hampshire.Ellis 2016, p. 77.
• Sycamore HR.14 XG518 – Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum, Flixton.Ellis 2016, p. 222.
• Sycamore HR.14 XJ380 – Boscombe Down Aviation Collection, Old Sarum.Ellis 2016, p. 284.
• Sycamore HR.14 XJ918 – Royal Air Force Museum Midlands, RAF Cosford. This aircraft saw active service during the Malayan Emergency and was one of the last four Sycamores to be officially retired from RAF service in 1971. XJ918 was relocated to the RAF Museum Cosford in 1983. Relocated to Ulster Aviation Society in late 2022. {{cite web | url=http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/documents/collections/84-A-1168-Sycamore-HR-14.pdf | title=Individual History Bristol Sycamore HR. 14 XJ918/8190M Museum Accession Number 84/A/1168 | publisher=RAF Museum | access-date=18 June 2015 | author=Simpson, Andrew}}Ellis 2016, p. 193.
• Sycamore HR.14 XL824 – Aerospace Bristol, Filton.
• Sycamore HR.14 XL829 – The Helicopter Museum in Weston-super-MareEllis 2016, p. 207.
• Sycamore HR.14 XE317 – South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum, Doncaster.Ellis 2016, p. 303

;Stored or under restoration

• Sycamore HR.14 XJ917 – Aerospace Bristol, Filton.Ellis 2016, p. 66

{{Clear}}

File:Bristol Sycamore Helicopter - B - Hadfield.jpg

File:Bristol Sycamore Helicopter - C - Hadfield.jpg

{{Aircraft specs

|ref = {{cite web|title=Bristol 171 Sycamore|url=http://www.flugzeuginfo.net/acdata_php/acdata_sycamore_en.php|publisher=Flugzeug|access-date=11 October 2015}}

|prime units? = imp

|crew = two

|capacity = accommodation for three passengers

• Payload: 1,000 lb (454 kg)

|length m = 18.62

|length ft = 61

|length in = 1.3

|span m =

|span ft =

|span in =

|height m = 4.23

|height ft = 13

|height in = 10.6

|wing area sqm =

|wing area sqft =

|aspect ratio =

|airfoil =

|empty weight kg = 1728

|empty weight lb = 3810

|gross weight kg = 2540

|gross weight lb = 5600

|max takeoff weight kg =

|max takeoff weight lb =

|more general =

|eng1 number = 1

|eng1 name = Alvis Leonides

|eng1 type = piston engine

|eng1 kw = 410

|eng1 hp = 550

|eng1 shp =

|eng1 kn =

|eng1 lbf =

|power original =

|thrust original =

|eng1 kn-ab =

|eng1 lbf-ab =

|more power =

|prop name =

|prop dia m =

|prop dia ft =

|prop dia in =

|rot dia m = 14.8

|rot dia ft = 48

|rot dia in = 7

|rot area sqm =

|rot area sqft =

|rot number = 1

|max speed kmh = 212

|max speed mph = 132

|max speed kts =

|max speed note =

|max speed mach =

|cruise speed kmh =

|cruise speed mph =

|cruise speed kts =

|cruise speed note =

|stall speed kmh =

|stall speed mph =

|stall speed kts =

|stall speed note =

|never exceed speed kmh =

|never exceed speed mph =

|never exceed speed kts =

|range km = 531

|range miles = 330

|range nmi =

|range note =

|combat range km =

|combat range miles =

|combat range nmi =

|combat range note =

|ferry range km =

|ferry range miles =

|ferry range nmi =

|ferry range note =

|endurance = 3½ hours

|ceiling m =

|ceiling ft =

|ceiling note =

|climb rate ms =

|climb rate ftmin =

|climb rate note =

|sink rate ms =

|sink rate ftmin =

|sink rate note =

|wing loading kg/m2 =

|wing loading lb/sqft =

|disk loading kg/m2 =

|disk loading lb/sqft =

|power/mass =

|thrust/weight =

|more performance =

|guns =

|bombs =

|rockets =

|missiles =

|hardpoints =

|hardpoint capacity =

|hardpoint rockets =

|hardpoint missiles =

|hardpoint bombs =

|hardpoint other =

|avionics = }}

{{aircontent

|similar aircraft=

• H-5 Dragonfly
• Westland Dragonfly
• Mil Mi-1

|lists=

• List of aircraft of the Royal Air Force

}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book|last=Barnes|first=C. H.|year=1964|title=Bristol aircraft since 1910|publisher=Putnam|isbn=0-85177-823-2}}
• {{cite book|last=Bowyer|first=Chaz|title=The Encyclopedia of British Military Aircraft|year=1982|publisher=Bison Books Limited|isbn=0-86124-258-0}}
• {{cite journal |last1=Elliott|first1=Bryn|title=On the Beat: The First 60 Years of Britain's Air Police |journal=Air Enthusiast |date=January–February 1999 |issue=79 |pages=68–75 |issn=0143-5450}}
• {{cite book|last=Ellis |first=Ken | title=Wrecks & Relics 25th Edition|year=2016 |publisher=Crecy Publishing|location=Manchester, England|isbn=978-191080-903-7}}
• [https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1958/1958%20-%200353.html "Helicopters of the World."] Flight, 21 March 1958. pp. 369–370.
• {{ref Jane's|||1951}}
• {{cite book|last1=Jefford |first1= C G |title= RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912 |year=1988 |publisher= Airlife |location= Shrewsbury |isbn= 1-85310-053-6}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/collections/bristol-sycamore-hr14/ RAF Museum page] on the Bristol Sycamore
• [https://www.helis.com/database/model/Bristol-Type-171-Sycamore/ helis.com pages] on the Bristol Sycamore
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120306130050/http://www.filton.flyer.co.uk/bristol/prod171.html 171 Production list]

{{Bristol aircraft}}

{{ADF aircraft designations}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1940s British military utility aircraft

Category:1940s British helicopters

Sycamore

Category:Helicopter history

Category:Search and rescue helicopters

Category:Aircraft first flown in 1947

Category:Single-engined piston helicopters