VICKERS WELLESLEY I
- Two/three-seat
medium bomber monoplane designed by RK Pierson to meet Operational Requirement
(OR) 24 as defined by Specification 22/35. Prototype (Vickers Type 281)
first flew early 1936 as modification of original Vickers Type 246 PV
monoplane prototype to Specification G.4/31 (OR.2). First production Vickers Wellesley
(Type 287) flew January 30, 1937, with 835 hp Bristol Pegasus XX; strengthened
wing structure (Type 294) after first eight aircraft; production total
176. Service use began in No 76(B) Sqn, RAF Finningley in April 1937,
followed by seven more squadrons in UK and Middle East in quick succession.
Wartime use restricted to three squadrons in North Africa, Nos 14, 47
and 223, making up No 203 Group's Advanced Striking Force operating against
Italian forces in East Africa. Of these, No 47 continued flying Vickers Wellesleys
until September 1942. Armament comprised one fixed forward and one flexibly
mounted 0.303-in (7.7-mm) machine gun, and up to 2,000 Ib (908 kg) of
bombs.
Max speed, 228 mph (367 kmlh) at 19,680ft (6,000 m). Cruising speed, 180
mph (290 kmlh). Time to 15,000ft (4,572 m), 21 min. Service ceiling, 22,500
ft (6,858 m). Range, 1,335 mis (2,148 km). Empty weight, 6,760 Ib (3,066
kg). Gross weight, 12,500 Ib (5,670 kg). Span, 74 ft 7 in (22.74 m). Length,
39 ft 3 in (11.96 m). Wing area, 586 sq ft (54.4m2).
