VICKERS WELLINGTON
(Bomber variants) - Twin-engined
day bomber to meet Operational Requirement OR.5 and conforming to Specification
B.9/32, designed under Rex Pierson and Barnes Wallis. Initial studies
(as Vickers Type 249) with R-R Goshawk or Bristol Perseus engines, but
definitive prototype (Type 271) as ordered in September 1933 powered by
980 hp Bristol Pegasus X engines. Geodetic construction, gross weight
of 21,000 Ib (9,526 kg) and defensive armament of single 0.303-in (7.7-mm)
guns in nose, tail and dorsal positions. Unarmed, prototype K4049 first
flown at Weybridge on June 15, 1936; provisionally known as Crecy until
name Vickers Wellington confirmed in September. Lost on April 19, 1937, during
A&AEE trials at Martlesham Heath, by which time first production contract
placed.
Vickers Wellington I: Initial production version, as defined by Specification
29/36, to be armed with pairs of Browning 0.303-in (7.7-mm) guns in Vickers
nose and tail, and Frazer-Nash ventral (in place of dorsal) gun positions.
Gross weight, 21,000 Ib (9,527 kg) with up to nine 500-lb (227-kg) or
two 2,000-lb (907-kg) bombs. First production aircraft flown with Pegasus
X engines (as Vickers Type 285) on December 23, 1937, and with definitive
815 hp Pegasus XVIIIs (Type 290) on April 12, 1938. Total of 175 built
at Weybridge (of which 61 with dual controls and two completed as Mks
II and III prototypes) and three at Vickers-operated shadow factory at
Broughton, Chester. RNZAF order for 30 Vickers Wellingtons (Type 403) placed in
1937 to be met by diversions from RAF contracts. First six (NZ300-NZ305)
at RAF Marham for conversion training of New' Zealand Flight handed back
to RAF in September 1939 and re-acquired original RAF serials. Most or
all Mk Is flown without planned FN9 ventral turret because of CG difficulties.
Initial deliveries October 1938, to No 99 Sqn at
Mildenhall; eight more squadrons equipped by September 1939. First operations
September 4, 1939, by Nos 9 and 149 Sqns.
Vickers Wellington IA: Similar to Mk I, but with Frazer-Nash two-gun turrets -
FN5 nose, FN10 tail and FN9 ventral - plus general airframe improvements
designed for Mks II and III. Gross weight 28,000 Ib (12,700 kg) and strengthened
u/c. Deliveries began August 1939, and production (Vickers Type 408) totalled
170 from Weybridge and 17 from Chester. Replaced Vickers Wellington Is in initial
squadrons and in service by December 1939. Balance of RNZAF order (see
Vickers Wellington I) for 24 Mk lAs (Type 412) absorbed into RAF production, and
No 75 (NZ) Sqn, with No 3 Group of Bomber Command, issued with Vickers Wellington
lAs and ICs from RAF stocks. Designation Vickers Wellington IB reserved for Mk
I with arfnament improvements; not built.
Vickers Wellington 1C: Similar to Mk IA, but FN9 ventral turret deleted. Two belt-fed
0.303-in (7.7-mm) Brownings in beam mountings, one each side. Electrical
system changed from 12 to 24-volt, and hydraulic system revised. Production
(Vickers Type 405) totalled 1,056 at Weybridge (of which four completed
as later marks), 1,583 at Chester and 50 at Vickers-operated shadow factory
at Squires Gate, Blackpool. Bomb-load could include one 4,000-lb (1,814-kg)
bomb on 33 Mk ICs with Vickers Type 453 modification. Deliveries from
April 1940, and formed backbone of Bomber Command through 1941, primarily
in squadrons of 3 Group. Operational in Middle East from September 1940,
initially with No 70 Sqn, RAF, and in the Far East (India) from April
1942, initially with No 214 Sqn. One to CLE in March 1942, with parachute
exit in place of ventral turret.
Max speed, 234 mph (377 km/h) at 15,200ft (4,633 m). Economical cruising
speed, 165 mph (266 km/h) at 10,000ft (3,050 m). Time to 10,000ft (3,050
m), 25 min. Service ceiling, 16,000 ft (4,877 m). Range with max bombs,
1,0-55 mis (1,698 km). Empty weight, 18,800 Ib (8,528 kg). Gross weight,
30,000 Ib (13,608 kg). Span, 86ft 2 in (26.26 m). Length, 64 ft 7 in (19.69
m). Wing area, 830 sq ft (77. Urn2).
Vickers Wellington II: Developed during 1938 as first major Vickers Wellington upgrade,
in parallel with Mk III, to take advantage of uprated engines. Based on
Mk I airframe with 1,145 hp R-R Merlin X engines; Frazer-Nash FN5 (nose)
and FN10 (tail) turrets plus beam guns; 28,000 Ib (12,700 kg) gross weight
with strengthened u/c and -after early testing - wider-chord tailplane.
One Mk I completed as Mk II prototype (Vickers Type 298), flown on March
3, 1939. Deliveries began October 1940 and 400 built (Type 406) at Weybridge.
Gross weight increased to 33,000 Ib (14,990 kg) and 22 with the Type 423
mod for 4,000-lb (1,814-kg) bomb, first used by Nos 9 and 149 Sqns on
night of March 31/April 1, 1941. Also served in Middle East, with earlier
marks.
Vickers Wellington III: Developed in parallel with Vickers Wellington II, with same new
features but powered by Bristol Hercules engines. One Mk I completed as
Mk III prototype (Vickers Type 299), flown on March 19, 1939, with two-stage
supercharged Hercules HE-ISM engines. Production Mk III (Type 417) powered
by 1,400 hp Hercules II engines, as tested on second prototype (Mk 1C
conversion) early 1941, or 1,590 hp Hercules XIs. Four-gun FN20A tail
turret in place of two-gun FN10, and gross weight increased to 34,500
Ib (15,650 kg).
Production total 780 at Chester and 737 at Blackpool, delivered 1942-43.
Succeeded or supplemented Mk ICs in 3 Group in the UK, 205 Group in
the Middle East and 221 Group in Far East. Also used by six Canadian-manned
squadrons of 6 Group in UK during 1943, and for Special Duties units
of 100 Group in 1943/44.
Max speed, 261 mph (420 km/h) at 12,500ft (3,810 m). Economical cruising
speed, 211 mph (340 km/h). Time to 15,000 ft (4,572 m), 25 min. Service
ceiling, 22,750 ft (6,934 m). Range with max bombs, 1,200 mis (1,931 km).
Empty weight, 25,100 Ib (11,385 kg). Gross weight, 34,500 Ib (15,650 kg).
Dimensions as Mk 1C.
Vickers Wellington IV: Similar to Mk III with 1,050 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1830-S3C4-G
Twin Wasp engines. Prototype (Mk 1C conversion) completed at Chester,
December 1940, followed by 219 production examples (Vickers Type 410)
delivered from June 1941, First operational use October 16, 1941.
Vickers Wellington V and VI: High-altitude bomber variants using pressurised crew
accommodation. See separate entry below.
Vickers Wellington VII: Designation reserved for Mk II derivative with Ij390 hp
Merlin XX powerplants. Not built.
Vickers Wellington B Mk X: Final variant for Bomber Command, based on definitive
Mk III but powered by 1,615 hp Bristol Hercules VI or XVI engines. Improved
DTD646 aluminium alloy used throughout, with better strength-weight ratio,
allowing gross weight to increase to 36,500 Ib (16,556 kg). Two Mk Ills
with Hercules VI engines flown as prototypes (Type 440) at Blackpool.
Production (Type 448) totalled 1,369 at Blackpool and 2,434 at Chester.
Served in the Bomber Command Vickers Wellington squadrons that remained operational
until October 1943; and in others on special duties and in Middle and
Far East through 1944. Vickers Wellington production ended with delivery of a
B Mk X at Blackpool on October 25, 1945, bringing overall total built
to 11,461 - the most multi-engine aircraft of any single type ever built
in Britain.
