A 1:40 scale model of the Bristol 188 which formerly belonged to and from the estate of a Bristol Aeroplane Co and BAC engineer who worked on the Type 188 project. ⁠⠀

Length: 59m cm.

Wingspan: 27.5 cm.

The Bristol 188 was a supersonic research aircraft designed and produced by the British aircraft manufacturer Bristol Aeroplane Company, and used by the Royal Aircraft Establishment . It was nicknamed the Flaming Pencil, its purpose was to explore high-speed, high-temperature flights;. A total of three aircraft were constructed, a single static test frame, along with two flight-capable aircraft; various scale models were also produced.

The maiden flight of the Type 188 occurred on 14 April 1962. Across 51 flights, the 188 attained a maximum speed of Mach 1.88. During early 1964, it was announced that all activity involving the Type 188 was to be terminated. The project had cost £20 million by the end of the programme, making it the most expensive research aircraft ever developed in Britain at that time. The technical data and knowledge garnered from the Type 188 was put to use in other British high-speed aerospace efforts, most notably the development of Concorde supersonic transport, as well as the Bristol (later Rolls-Royce) Olympus 593 powerplant, which powered both Concorde and the BAC TSR-2 bomber. One type 188 is preserved at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford.