Indeed the wheels are still there, as is the name from the fuselage - I'm the man who found it! About 15 years ago it was hidden behind several other things in the storeroom. It actually reads "BRABAZON 1" - this is not a MArk 1, it refers to the 1942 Brabazon committee, chaired by Lord Brabazon, which was formed to decide what new civil airliner designs would be needed after the war, and this one was first on the list.

Can anyone say "Spruce Goose"? It might have been successful if they waited a bit longer for more powerful jet engines. But, you've got to give credit to the brave souls who built and tried concepts like this plane.

You watch aviation videos from back then and realise they were much more prepared to take risks and try out radical design like flying wings and odd configurations than they are today. Its a pity that spirit is held back by accountants today. Always amazes me how fast they could build a prototype from the designs back then and have it flying.

Regardless of company or nation, the early pioneers of passenger travel invested greatly into what we have today.

Wow, what a beautiful thing to see! Thanks Bomberguy. My granddad (who raised me from a youngster) was doing National Service as a Snowdrop at the time of Brab's maiden flight and told me he had perimeter guard duty at the far end of the runway; he got to watch the aircraft lift into the air and roar over his head. He was still astounded by the scale of her when telling me about it in the 80's. Lovely to share as he's not with us now. Corporal G P Carter (RAF Police), 1930 -1998. "fiat justitia"

My mother used to say 'it blacked out the sky..' when it flew its trials around Filton as she watched the Brabazon from the back yard when hanging the washing... memories!

I watched the Brab go over, quite high up, within the Farnborough area, with my father during the summer of 1951. The newspapers were quite active reporting every move of this aircraft around this time. I remember how everyone felt very impressed with our achievement.

Holy smoke! 12,000,000 Punds in 1950'ies money is a lot of cash. Good afternoon I am a politician and I am here to help you....! Still it had nice looking lines at it was a real treat to see her fly.. Thanks

What an incredible aircraft. It also proved to be a valuable lesson to Bristol (later BAC) Electronic throttle control, cabin pressurisation, powered flying controls, machined skin panels and early experiments with synthetic materials. Would eventually pave the way for Concorde. The Brabazon hangar eventually became the production facility for the Britannia and eventually Concorde.

A friend of mine says he remembers seeing one as a little boy with the distinctive noise they made. I'd never even heard of them before. Fascinating documentary!

Great collection of footage from the news of the times. I was 13 years old when I saw this flying after it had left Filton on its maiden flight. I lived in Southmead next to Filton, and didn't realize that years later I would be working at Bristol Aeroplane Company as a Tool and Diemaker. Thanks for the memories my friend

You Brits are absolute Masters at designing GORGEOUS Aircraft!!!! Well Done!!!

Just showed my partner, Robbie, this footage including Farnborough 1950 Air Show at which he was present, aged 5, with his family. He remembers it well but was particularly amused to hear the presenter commenting that the people on the very first passenger flight were the country's most expendable - members of Parliament!

I watch these vids every year or so and still enjoy them, thanks BG.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I have only seen a couple of pictures of this aircraft. Loved it.

Thank you very much for the nice clips!

That is just amazing!! Britain used to be such an amazing country , It is a shame what happened to it.

Good Video,I saw this plane flying when I was a kid,it was very impressive,thanks for the video

thanks for that ..yes I think the fuselage was a miracle and way ahead of its time!

Great historical footage + the accompanying commentary in the newsreels - very characteristic of those times. It's v. interesting to observe the aero-shape of these type of prop-driven passenger aircraft, built immediately after WW2. The Connie had a somewhat similar streamlined look. Hindsight is a wonderful commodity .. it's easy to see now how uneconomical the excess and largesse and over-expenditure was, that went into the design / production / supporting infrastructure of this craft.