Bristol
Aero-Engines began work on the BE.53 Pegasus in 1958.
Since the British government had declared manned combat aircraft to
be obsolete, NATO's Mutual Weapons Development Program and Bristol
paid for development. Four curved nozzles rotate to provide both thrust and lift.
The engine was designed in tandem with the Hawker
P.1127 which first flew in 1960. It is still the only engine
of its kind.
Production and development of the Pegasus was
continued by Rolls-Royce when Bristol was acquired by that firm in
1966. Over 1,100 engines have been produced.
