Complex sentence: While there was some scepticism that the aircraft was unnecessarily large for the fighter role, the proposal received an warm reception by the air Staff overall; on 16 November 1938, Bristol received formal authorisation to commence the detailed design phase and the construction of four prototypes.
Split into simpler sentences: While there was some scepticism that the aircraft was unnecessarily large for the fighter role, the proposal was given an overall warm reception by the Air Staff. On 16 November 1938, Bristol received formal authorisation to commence the detailed design phase of the project and to proceed with the construction of four prototypes.