• Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Web Stories
Thursday, October 16, 2025
London Journal | The Voice of London
  • Home
  • Politics
    Brits warned of tax rises & spending cuts ahead of Rachel Reeves’ Budget – after she is slammed for ‘killing growth’

    Brits warned of tax rises & spending cuts ahead of Rachel Reeves’ Budget – after she is slammed for ‘killing growth’

    Nigel Farage DITCHES £90billion tax cuts plan in bid to be more trusted on the economy

    Nigel Farage DITCHES £90billion tax cuts plan in bid to be more trusted on the economy

    Left-wing MP says her ‘stomach churned’ when she saw Labour members wave English flags at party conference

    Left-wing MP says her ‘stomach churned’ when she saw Labour members wave English flags at party conference

    Pubs to open all night with more gigs and outdoor seating in fresh bid to boost growth

    Pubs to open all night with more gigs and outdoor seating in fresh bid to boost growth

    Trending Tags

    • Business
      • All
      • Digital Marketing
      • Real Estate
      Culture brand Broadsheet marks London launch with first print edition

      Culture brand Broadsheet marks London launch with first print edition

      Matthew Garrahan leaves FT for Redbird news division leadership role

      Matthew Garrahan leaves FT for Redbird news division leadership role

      Express rapped by IPSO over inaccurate headlines eight times in 2025 so far

      Express rapped by IPSO over inaccurate headlines eight times in 2025 so far

      Google appears to prioritise global newsbrands over local ones for breaking news events

      Trending Tags

      • Tech
        Ancient Roman shipwreck found underwater at hols hotspot as divers find treasure on boat sunk in storm

        Ancient Roman shipwreck found underwater at hols hotspot as divers find treasure on boat sunk in storm

        Incredibly rare prehistoric fish that gobbles up SHARKS is caught off UK coast in major breakthrough

        Incredibly rare prehistoric fish that gobbles up SHARKS is caught off UK coast in major breakthrough

        ‘Super weird’ sea DRAGON is uncovered in UK and could solve a 184-million-year-old mystery

        ‘Super weird’ sea DRAGON is uncovered in UK and could solve a 184-million-year-old mystery

        Biggest mystery over Easter Island’s heads finally solved as experts reveal the statues ‘WALKED’ into place

        Biggest mystery over Easter Island’s heads finally solved as experts reveal the statues ‘WALKED’ into place

        Shocking real reason Shackleton’s doomed Antarctica expedition ship sank over 110 years ago revealed

        Shocking real reason Shackleton’s doomed Antarctica expedition ship sank over 110 years ago revealed

        Orionids meteor shower with 25 fireballs an HOUR from Halley’s Comet ‘that only visits every 75 years’ visible tonight

        Orionids meteor shower with 25 fireballs an HOUR from Halley’s Comet ‘that only visits every 75 years’ visible tonight

      • Health
      • Science

        We’ve probably already been discovered by aliens, but they have some pretty good reasons to hide.

        Almost everyone is said to benefit from a scientifically supported method for improving sleep.

        2,500-year-old rock engravings were found near Mosul, Iraq.

        Is the soul of a person eternal? the findings of scientists

        With its most recent move, is General Electric abandoning wind power?

      • Crypto
      • Entertainment
        • All
        • Gaming
        • Sports
        UFC legend Charles Oliveira, 35, dubbed ‘LION KING’ after parading young son, one, around octagon after emphatic win

        UFC legend Charles Oliveira, 35, dubbed ‘LION KING’ after parading young son, one, around octagon after emphatic win

        Arturo Gatti Jr dead at 17: Boxing legend’s son passes away suddenly just 16 years after father’s tragic death

        Arturo Gatti Jr dead at 17: Boxing legend’s son passes away suddenly just 16 years after father’s tragic death

        Golf SUSPENDED by 60mph winds as Storm Amy causes chaos at Alfred Dunhill Links Championship with Ryder Cup hero leading

        Golf SUSPENDED by 60mph winds as Storm Amy causes chaos at Alfred Dunhill Links Championship with Ryder Cup hero leading

        Ernest Akushey dead aged 27: Boxer dies just days after losing fight as tributes pour in for Ghanaian fighter

        Ernest Akushey dead aged 27: Boxer dies just days after losing fight as tributes pour in for Ghanaian fighter

        Glamorous golfer Charley Hull reveals special request from Donald Trump after meeting President at Windsor

        Glamorous golfer Charley Hull reveals special request from Donald Trump after meeting President at Windsor

      • Lifestyle
        • All
        • Fashion
        • food
        • Home improvement
        • Travel
        How to Choose the Ideal Baby Gift Set for Boys & Girls – A BabyWondersUK Guide

        How to Choose the Ideal Baby Gift Set for Boys & Girls – A BabyWondersUK Guide

        A Site for Situated Practices: Mezzanine

        Exhibition: Substance & Recoding: The Narrative of Contemporary Objects in the Semantic Turn

        Discover Amsterdam’s beauty from the water

        An adventure on the canals of Amsterdam

        An adventure on the canals of Amsterdam

        Eromosele Gideon Eigbiremolen Unveils Sustainable Vision for SS24 with Burvain's Latest Collection.

        Eromosele Gideon Eigbiremolen Unveils Sustainable Vision for SS24 with Burvain’s Latest Collection.

        after builders cleaning

        After Builders Cleaning Services in UK with Cliffycox: Reviving Spaces, Redefining Cleanliness

      • Travel
      • Real Estate
      • Sports
      • More
        • Press Release
      No Result
      View All Result
      • Home
      • Politics
        Brits warned of tax rises & spending cuts ahead of Rachel Reeves’ Budget – after she is slammed for ‘killing growth’

        Brits warned of tax rises & spending cuts ahead of Rachel Reeves’ Budget – after she is slammed for ‘killing growth’

        Nigel Farage DITCHES £90billion tax cuts plan in bid to be more trusted on the economy

        Nigel Farage DITCHES £90billion tax cuts plan in bid to be more trusted on the economy

        Left-wing MP says her ‘stomach churned’ when she saw Labour members wave English flags at party conference

        Left-wing MP says her ‘stomach churned’ when she saw Labour members wave English flags at party conference

        Pubs to open all night with more gigs and outdoor seating in fresh bid to boost growth

        Pubs to open all night with more gigs and outdoor seating in fresh bid to boost growth

        Trending Tags

        • Business
          • All
          • Digital Marketing
          • Real Estate
          Culture brand Broadsheet marks London launch with first print edition

          Culture brand Broadsheet marks London launch with first print edition

          Matthew Garrahan leaves FT for Redbird news division leadership role

          Matthew Garrahan leaves FT for Redbird news division leadership role

          Express rapped by IPSO over inaccurate headlines eight times in 2025 so far

          Express rapped by IPSO over inaccurate headlines eight times in 2025 so far

          Google appears to prioritise global newsbrands over local ones for breaking news events

          Trending Tags

          • Tech
            Ancient Roman shipwreck found underwater at hols hotspot as divers find treasure on boat sunk in storm

            Ancient Roman shipwreck found underwater at hols hotspot as divers find treasure on boat sunk in storm

            Incredibly rare prehistoric fish that gobbles up SHARKS is caught off UK coast in major breakthrough

            Incredibly rare prehistoric fish that gobbles up SHARKS is caught off UK coast in major breakthrough

            ‘Super weird’ sea DRAGON is uncovered in UK and could solve a 184-million-year-old mystery

            ‘Super weird’ sea DRAGON is uncovered in UK and could solve a 184-million-year-old mystery

            Biggest mystery over Easter Island’s heads finally solved as experts reveal the statues ‘WALKED’ into place

            Biggest mystery over Easter Island’s heads finally solved as experts reveal the statues ‘WALKED’ into place

            Shocking real reason Shackleton’s doomed Antarctica expedition ship sank over 110 years ago revealed

            Shocking real reason Shackleton’s doomed Antarctica expedition ship sank over 110 years ago revealed

            Orionids meteor shower with 25 fireballs an HOUR from Halley’s Comet ‘that only visits every 75 years’ visible tonight

            Orionids meteor shower with 25 fireballs an HOUR from Halley’s Comet ‘that only visits every 75 years’ visible tonight

          • Health
          • Science

            We’ve probably already been discovered by aliens, but they have some pretty good reasons to hide.

            Almost everyone is said to benefit from a scientifically supported method for improving sleep.

            2,500-year-old rock engravings were found near Mosul, Iraq.

            Is the soul of a person eternal? the findings of scientists

            With its most recent move, is General Electric abandoning wind power?

          • Crypto
          • Entertainment
            • All
            • Gaming
            • Sports
            UFC legend Charles Oliveira, 35, dubbed ‘LION KING’ after parading young son, one, around octagon after emphatic win

            UFC legend Charles Oliveira, 35, dubbed ‘LION KING’ after parading young son, one, around octagon after emphatic win

            Arturo Gatti Jr dead at 17: Boxing legend’s son passes away suddenly just 16 years after father’s tragic death

            Arturo Gatti Jr dead at 17: Boxing legend’s son passes away suddenly just 16 years after father’s tragic death

            Golf SUSPENDED by 60mph winds as Storm Amy causes chaos at Alfred Dunhill Links Championship with Ryder Cup hero leading

            Golf SUSPENDED by 60mph winds as Storm Amy causes chaos at Alfred Dunhill Links Championship with Ryder Cup hero leading

            Ernest Akushey dead aged 27: Boxer dies just days after losing fight as tributes pour in for Ghanaian fighter

            Ernest Akushey dead aged 27: Boxer dies just days after losing fight as tributes pour in for Ghanaian fighter

            Glamorous golfer Charley Hull reveals special request from Donald Trump after meeting President at Windsor

            Glamorous golfer Charley Hull reveals special request from Donald Trump after meeting President at Windsor

          • Lifestyle
            • All
            • Fashion
            • food
            • Home improvement
            • Travel
            How to Choose the Ideal Baby Gift Set for Boys & Girls – A BabyWondersUK Guide

            How to Choose the Ideal Baby Gift Set for Boys & Girls – A BabyWondersUK Guide

            A Site for Situated Practices: Mezzanine

            Exhibition: Substance & Recoding: The Narrative of Contemporary Objects in the Semantic Turn

            Discover Amsterdam’s beauty from the water

            An adventure on the canals of Amsterdam

            An adventure on the canals of Amsterdam

            Eromosele Gideon Eigbiremolen Unveils Sustainable Vision for SS24 with Burvain's Latest Collection.

            Eromosele Gideon Eigbiremolen Unveils Sustainable Vision for SS24 with Burvain’s Latest Collection.

            after builders cleaning

            After Builders Cleaning Services in UK with Cliffycox: Reviving Spaces, Redefining Cleanliness

          • Travel
          • Real Estate
          • Sports
          • More
            • Press Release
          No Result
          View All Result
          London Journal | The Voice of London
          No Result
          View All Result

          Eerie tale of doomed ‘gargantuan of the SKIES’ – 72 tonne prop plane which cost £6million… but never carried passengers

          by Anderson
          March 15, 2024
          in UK News
          0
          SHARES
          Share on FacebookShare on TwitterLinkedin

          A DOOMED £6million production of a British “gargantuan of the skies” saw a 72 tonne prop plane end up being nothing more than a white elephant.

          During World War 2 Britain’s aircraft production was naturally focused entirely on its military requirements but this meant in the immediate post-war years it had no commercial production at all and nothing in the design stage.

          Eerie tale of doomed ‘gargantuan of the SKIES’ – 72 tonne prop plane which cost £6million… but never carried passengers
          Alamy

          The only Bristol Brabazon, G-AGPW, during an early test flight[/caption]

          Eerie tale of doomed ‘gargantuan of the SKIES’ – 72 tonne prop plane which cost £6million… but never carried passengers
          Wikipedia

          The Bristol Brabazon ending up costing £6m but never flew commercial passengers[/caption]

          Eerie tale of doomed ‘gargantuan of the SKIES’ – 72 tonne prop plane which cost £6million… but never carried passengers
          Alamy

          The plane underwent some test take-offs and landings at London’s Heathrow Airport in 1950[/caption]

          American companies dominated the market, producing the DC-3, DC-4 and C-69 Constellation.

          Britain wanted to get its own production under way to rival its wartime ally and set up a committee under Lord Brabazon of Tara to report on what types of planes were needed.

          The findings, which were laid out in what became known as the Brabazon Report, the four different types of plane needed: a very large trans-Atlantic airliner, a short haul airliner, a medium sized airliner to cover European routes and a jet-powered 500mph airliner.

          Having gained experience of designing heavy bombers during the 1930s and the war, Bristol Aeroplane Company went about tackling the need for a trans-Atlantic airliner which would emerge as the Bristol Type 167 Brabazon I.

          At the time, it was thought that wealthy passengers would prefer air travel over a long sea voyage if the experience was made much more comfortable.

          To help this, the company designed its eight engines to be buried in the wings and coupled in pairs which drove four sets of contra-rotating propellers which helped reduced the noise in the passenger cabin.

          Also reflecting that belief only those with deep pockets and who expected a certainly standard of comfort would likely want to fly across the Atlantic, was the generous amount of space provided for the travellers.

          The huge aircraft was originally designed to carry 96 day passengers, or 52 in sleeping compartments, with a bar also included, walkways and a cinema.

          The size of the Bristol 167 Brabazon was vast, with a 230ft wingspan, 19ft longer than a Boeing 747-400, a 75ft tailplane and the undercarriage track was 55ft.

          To accommodate the airplane, the runway at Filton had to be strengthened and extended to a length of 2,750 yards.

          In order to add the extra space, the village of Charlton, to the west of Filton, which lay in direct line of the runway was entirely destroyed.

          AJ ‘Bill’ Pegg piloted the first flight of the sole prototype (G-AGPW) on September 2, 1949 and rather than fitted with passenger seats it was filled with test equipment.

          Despite its huge size the plane was, by all accounts easy to fly and to manoeuvre on the ground.

          Just four days after its maiden flight, the plane appeared at the SBAC Show at Farnborough before undergoing its test programme.

          It visited Heathrow for a series of take-offs and landings before returning to Farnborough in 1950.

          Then the following year it was demonstrated at the Paris Air Show but despite creating a significant amount of interest, its expected launch customer BOAC had lost interest in the type of plane.

          BEA had expressed interest in buying the flying prototype for commercial use but it was never given a full airworthiness certificate.

          Work did start on a Bristol Brabazon I Mk II which had four double Proteus engines but the aircraft was never finished.

          Eerie tale of doomed ‘gargantuan of the SKIES’ – 72 tonne prop plane which cost £6million… but never carried passengers
          The facts and figures of the Bristol Brabazon

          In 1952 the expenditure was estimated to be around £3.4m but there was no sign the market that had been predicted by the Brabazon report would actually materialise.

          By 1953, the costs had risen further to £6m and another £2m was needed to complete the Mk II prototypes.

          In the end, what was then the Ministry of Supply cut its loses and cancelled the project.

          After just 400 flying hours, the prototype was broken up in October 1953.

          While the plane itself can be seen as a “white elephant” there was a positive spin-off from the project.

          One benefit was the work created infrastructure needed to build and support such a large aircraft like the Bristol Britannia.

          Filton and its sister facility at Broughton, in Cheshire, would go on to become synonymous with advanced wing technology.

          This has carried on through to the modern day, in particular the Airbus A380, the world’s largest passenger plane.

          Eerie tale of doomed ‘gargantuan of the SKIES’ – 72 tonne prop plane which cost £6million… but never carried passengers
          YouTube/British Pathe

          AJ ‘Bill’ Pegg was at the controls for the plane’s maiden voyage[/caption]

          Eerie tale of doomed ‘gargantuan of the SKIES’ – 72 tonne prop plane which cost £6million… but never carried passengers
          YouTube/British Pathe

          Instead of passengers the plane was filled with test equipment for its first flight[/caption]

          Eerie tale of doomed ‘gargantuan of the SKIES’ – 72 tonne prop plane which cost £6million… but never carried passengers
          Alamy

          The plane had a huge 230ft wingspan, 19ft longer than a Boeing 747-400[/caption]

          Source

          Recent News

          Ancient Roman shipwreck found underwater at hols hotspot as divers find treasure on boat sunk in storm

          Ancient Roman shipwreck found underwater at hols hotspot as divers find treasure on boat sunk in storm

          October 15, 2025
          Stocks Forecast: How much will the Vedanta share prize still rise? What should invest or sell stock?

          Stocks Forecast: How much will the Vedanta share prize still rise? What should invest or sell stock?

          October 15, 2025
          IND VS AUS: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli out of Playing-11, shocking decision

          IND VS AUS: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli out of Playing-11, shocking decision

          October 15, 2025
          Richest Person in Afghanistan: This rich person is called Afghanistan's 'Ambani', know how rich he is?

          Richest Person in Afghanistan: This rich person is called Afghanistan's 'Ambani', know how rich he is?

          October 15, 2025
          Stock Market: More than 400,000 benefits to investors! Even before Diwali, the company gave 'gifts' to investors, will you benefit or not?

          Stock Market: More than 400,000 benefits to investors! Even before Diwali, the company gave 'gifts' to investors, will you benefit or not?

          October 15, 2025
          Woman, 84, ‘kicked in groin and SHOT at by neighbours in escalating campaign of terror on millionaire’s row’

          Woman, 84, ‘kicked in groin and SHOT at by neighbours in escalating campaign of terror on millionaire’s row’

          October 15, 2025
          Brits warned of tax rises & spending cuts ahead of Rachel Reeves’ Budget – after she is slammed for ‘killing growth’

          Brits warned of tax rises & spending cuts ahead of Rachel Reeves’ Budget – after she is slammed for ‘killing growth’

          October 15, 2025
          • Home
          • Privacy Policy
          • Editorial Policy
          • About Us
          • Contribute
          • Advertise with us
          • Contact Us

          All Rights Reserved © 2022 London Journal - Voice of London

          No Result
          View All Result
          • Home
          • Politics
          • World
          • Business
          • Science
          • Crypto
          • Entertainment
          • Gaming
          • Opinion
          • Sports
          • Fashion
          • Lifestyle
          • Travel
          • Tech
          • Health
          • Food

          All Rights Reserved © 2022 London Journal - Voice of London