VICKERS VINCENT I
- Three-seat general purpose biplane evolved from Vildebeest as Vickers
Type 266 in response to Specification 21/33. Fitted with long-range tank
in place of external torpedo stowage, message pick-up hook and equipment
for tropical operations. Production (including conversion of contracted
Vildebeests to Specification 16/34) totalled 196 for RAF, delivered from
1934 to 1936. Vickers Vincents served at various Middle East and African bases
with eight front-line squadrons. Of these, at the outbreak of war No 8
Sqn had 18 in Aden, No 244 had 23 in Iraq and No 47 Sqn and other miscellaneous
units had 42 in Sudan and Egypt. Limited operational use was made until
1942, and Vickers Vincents remained on communications and 'hack' duties until
1944. From July 1939, the RNZAF received 60 ex-RAF Vickers Vincents, for use as
trainers and in general reconnaissance squadrons until May 1943. The Vickers Vincent
was powered by the 660 hp Bristol Pegasus IIM3 and was armed with one
Lewis and one Vickers 0.303-in (7.7-mm) machine gun; bomb load was 1,100
Ib (499 kg).
Max speed, 143 mph (230 kmlh) at 5,000 ft (1,524 m). Gross weight, 7,745
Ib (3,513 kg).
Span, 49ft 0 in (14.94 m). Length, 36ft 8 in o (11.18m).
