In the 1950s, the Hawker Siddeley p.1154 (designed by Hawker Siddeley Aviation) was planned to be a supersonic vertical/short take off and landing (V/STOL) fighter aircraft, built out of stainless steel.
The aircraft itself was going to be powered by 2 Rolls-Royce BP.20 ram-jets and a Rolls-Royce RB.146 re-heated Avon, however its funding was cut when the ministry of supply stated that the p.1134 duplicated the Bristol Type 188 aircraft.
The Bristol Type 188 was a British supersonic research aircraft built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company in the 1950s, intending to be nicknamed the flaming pencil due to its slender cross-section and intended purpose. The outer skin of the aircraft was made using 12% chromium stainless steel with a honeycomb centre, with no paint being applied. Riveting was going to be the chosen construction method, however a new arc welding technique utilising an argon gas shield was use instead; known as puddle welding. This welding method has since been used on many other stainless steel honeycomb aircrafts, the North American XB-70 Valkyrie bomber being a good example of this.
The last flight of XF926 took place on 12 January 1964. In total the project cost £20 million. By the end of the programme this was considered the most expensive to date for a research aircraft in Great Britain.
DMS was formed in 1966, however unlike the Stainless Steel Bristol Type 188 we're still flying. Whether our customers order a stainless steel sink, a stainless steel kitchen worktop, drinking fountain or a splashback, we're confident in our ability to produce a product of the highest quality.