The eXperimental Test Vehicles were built and flown by Bristol Aircraft's Guided Weapons Dept to facilitate the development of the
Red Duster and Blue Envoy guided weapons, later being used to develop Bloodhound and ABM technologies.Red Duster test vehicles (Stage 1)
XTV.1: This was a 1/4 scale model of Red Duster, boosted on rockets, the XTV.1 carried dummy ramjets and had control surfaces. The primary use of XTV.1 was the acquisition of aerodynamic data.
XTV.2: This was a 1/3 scale model of Red Duster fitted with moveable control surfaces that were powered by compressed air carried in pressurised bottles. Also flown on rockets.
XTV.3: A full scale Red Duster, but with dummy ramjets and flown on rockets. The main purpose of XTV.3 was to develop control systems, so was fitted with movable wings, again driven by compressed air.
XTV.4: Another full-scale vehicle to test the ramjet propulsion system. To improve performance the XTV.4 (or Red Duster Propulsion Test Vehicle) was made as light as possible, which included the deletion of wings and associated equipment.
XTV.5: Full scale Red Duster to test and improve the homing system. XTV.5 tested the entire Red Duster system and led to the XRD.1.
XRD.1: eXperimental Red Duster served as development rounds for the Red Duster SAM and was follow-on from the XTV.5. Performance was disappointing and the RAF took a dim view of this, sent Bristol packing. Led to the XRD.2
XRD.2: much improved XRD.1 (mainly ramjet modifications) that was used for Service Acceptance Trials (SAT) by the RAF. These SAT vehicles were also called Service Acceptance Vehicles (SAV) and led to Bloodhound I.
Blue Envoy Test Vehicles (Stage 1 3/4)
XTV.6: Quarter scale model of Blue Envoy with boosts. Launched on a Gosling tandem boost.
XTV.7: One sixth scale development model of Blue Envoy without boosts or ramjet pods. Launched on a Gosling tandem boost. Used to check aerodynamic drag.
XTV.8: One eighth scale development model of Blue Envoy wing sandwiched between two strap-on boosts. Used for flutter tests.
XTV.9 : Bristol ramjet test vehicle. Used for M3 ramjet development for Blue Envoy. Boosted on BRMs, then used Thor-type ramjet to accelerate to development M3 ramjet light up speed. Became Blue Envoy Test (BET).9. Closely related to the CRRTV.
CRRTV: This was a test vehicle, originally intended to test the NGTE Mach 3 ramjet (superseding the Napier RJTV)
XBE: Designation for eXperimental Blue Envoy. Full scale development rounds for Blue Envoy project. Cancelled in 1957 as flight tests at Woomera were being scheduled.
Bloodhound II test Vehicles
XTV.11 - 17 Ramjet test vehicles for Bloodhound II with improved
BT.3 Thor, ultimately called BS.1009. Provided a major improvement in altitude and range for the for Bloodhound II, which remained in RAF service until 1989.ABM test vehicles
XTV.20: Hypersonic test vehicle for ABM development. Part of the
Violet Friend anti-ballistic missile research study.
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Guided Weapons or the Test Vehicles