A collection of internal reports recording investigations of potential and actual aeroplane and helicopter types for use by British European Airways.
Aeroplane reports recording handling trials, performance, engine installations, noise trials and certification, cost analysis, weight and other technical assessments of a wide variety of transport aircraft and their variants including a number of evaluations of unbuilt project designs. Aeroplanes examined include: Armstrong Whitworth Argosy / AW.670, Avro 748 / 761 / 771, BAC 1-11, Beagle 221, Beechcraft 99A, Boeing 727, Breguet 941, Bristol 192 / 200 / 205, Convair "Golden Arrow" 80 / Model 440 / 880, de Havilland Comet 3 / 4 / 4B / DH.121 / DH.123, de Havilland Canada DHC Twin Otter / Caribou, Fairey Rotodyne, Handley Page HPR.8 / HP.137 Jetstream, Hawker Siddeley Trident / 136, Hunting P.107, Lockheed L-1011, Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer, Short PD65, Sikorsky S-55 / S-61 / S-63, Sud-Aviation SE Caravelle, Tupolev Tu-114 / Tu-154, Vertol 107, Vickers Viscount / Vanguard / V.800 / V.900, Westland 92 and early Airbus studies. The accident histories of the DH.89 Dragon Rapide, Viscount and Douglas DC-3 are also compared (Report P.270).
Helicopter reports examine handling trials, autopilot and other navigational equipment, night flying, gust research, the development of air mail operations and other technical assessments of various rotorcraft include the Agusta Bell 47, Bristol 171, Bristol 173, Bristol 192, de Havilland DH.106, Fairey Rotodyne, Sikorsky S-51, Westland-Sikorsky S.55 / Westminster and their variants.
The helicopter reports were issued by the Helicopter Experimental Unit, Research and Long Term Development Branch & Research and Special Development Department and the aeroplane reports were drafted by the Project and Development Branch. Report authors include N. E. Rowe, R. H. Whitby, G. S. Hislop, R. N. Liptrot, R.A.C. Brie and P. A. Hearne.