The first British tandem-rotor helicopter, the Bristol Type 173, was developed to Ministry of Supply Specification E.4/47. The first prototype first flew on the 3rd of January 1952, piloted by C.T.D Hosegood. The Type 173 had two sets of rotors from the Bristol Type 171 Sycamore, powered by 575 hp (428.8 kW) Alvis Leonides engines. The gearbox was configured so that either of the two engines could drive the rotors, in the event of the other engine failing.

The Type 173 Mk1 was designed as a naval helicopter, & in 1953 trials were performed aboard the carrier HMS Eagle. The second prototype, the Type 173 Mk2 was first flown on the 31st of August 1953, & was transferred to the RAF a year later for more trials. Three more prototypes followed, built as Type 173 Mk3s, & were powered by two 850 hp (633.8 kW) Leonides Major engines with four-blade metal rotors & a higher rear pylon. Only one of the three Mk3 prototypes ever flew, beginning hovering trials on the 9th of November 1956. The third of the Mk3 prototypes had the long-stroke landing gear & shortened fuselage of the Bristol Type 191 naval version.

The Bristol Type 192 Belvedere was developed from the Type 173 to an RAF requirement for 22 personnel, paratroop & heavy cargo transport & casevac helicopters. The order was later increased to 26 helicopters, all to be Napier Gazelle powered. The prototype first flew on the 5th of July 1958 at Weston-super-Mare, & was followed by nine pre-production aircraft, which were fitted with wooden blades. These were later upgraded to production standard.

The first production Belvedere HC.Mk1s were built by Westland, & were delivered to No.66 Squadron at RAF Odiham in August 1961. This was also the last unit to operate the Belvedere, & disbanded at RAF Seletar in March 1969. The Belvedere saw action in both Aden & Malaysia, performing badly in Aden due to poor maintenance, although it performed considerably better in Malaysia because of better maintenance.

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