Bristol Type 188 FSX & P3D

Tyler Gladman’s Bristol Type 188 uses a native FSX model compatible with Prepar3D v4 and v5. It includes a detailed animated virtual cockpit, custom 3D instruments and afterburner effects. Read the included PDF manual before your first flight; the model’s listing notably gives an approach speed of 188 knots.

Nicknamed the Flaming Pencil, the British aircraft was developed to study heating during sustained supersonic flight. Its stainless-steel structure was intended to withstand the expected temperatures. The two flying examples, XF923 and XF926, first flew on 14 April 1962 and 29 April 1963; an additional airframe was used for ground testing.

Trials did not achieve the intended sustained flight above Mach 2, with a quoted maximum of Mach 1.88 at 36,000 ft. They nevertheless provided knowledge about structures, equipment and measurements at high temperatures. The final flight took place on 11 January 1964; XF926 later joined the RAF Museum collection.

The single-seater is approximately 23.68 m long, with a 10.70 m span and 4.23 m height, powered by two afterburning de Havilland Gyron Junior turbojets.