A radial engine with a single-stage, two-speed supercharger and a planetary reduction gear. It is another version of Bristol’s most famous piston engine with sleeve valve distribution. Between 1938 and 1966, a total of 130,000 Hercules engines of all versions were produced.
During World War II, Bristol Hercules engines were used in the Bristol Beaufighter, Short Stirling, Short Sunderland, Saro Lerwick, Handley Page Halifax, and Vickers Wellington aircraft.
Hercules engines were also intended to power the Polish PZL.49 Mis bomber — the successor to the PZL.37 Los.
In 1939, the purchase of a licence was planned. After the war, they were produced under licence in France, where they powered the Nord 2501 Noratlas transport aircraft. Hercules 264 engines were used in Vickers Varsity Mk I transport aircraft. Similar variants 230, 232, 268, 736, and 762 powered the Handley Page Hastings/Hermes, Bristol Freighter, Short Solent, and Vickers Valetta aircraft.
| Configuration | 14-cylinder double-row radial |
| Cooling | air |
| Compression ratio | 7.0 |
| Displacement | 38.7 l |
| Weight | 1090 kg |
| Maximum power | 1950 hp |
