VICKERS WELLINGTON
(Maritime variants) - The
first of several major variants of the Vickers Wellington adapted to the maritime
role was a highly-specialised mine sweeper, designated as the Vickers Wellington
DWI, acronym for the deliberately misleading title Directional Wireless
Installation. Subsequent adaptations for Coastal Command use took the
GR role prefix for General Reconnaissance. The five GR marks were flown
by a total of 22 squadrons based in the UK, Iceland and the Middle and
Far East.
Vickers Wellington DWI: To combat the magnetic mines dropped around British shores
early in the war, RAE and Admiralty Research Laboratory urgently developed
a degaussing system comprising a ring of 51-ft (15.55-m) diameter, which
when energised by electric current and flown at low speed and altitude
above the mines, caused them to explode. A prototype installation fitted
to Vickers Wellington IA (P2516) included a Ford V-8 in the fuselage to drive
a 350 kW generator, and was first flown at Boscombe Down on December 21,
1939. Three further conversions were designated Vickers Wellington DWI Mk I (Vickers
Type 418) and were in service by February 1940. Eleven Vickers Wellington DWI
Mk Us (Type 419) followed, based on ex-Bomber Command Vickers Wellington Is with
DH Gipsy Six engine driving a 95 kW generator, and with degaussing ring
reduced to 48 ft (14.67 m) diameter. After UK service, some Mk Us transferred
to Middle East for service with No 1 GRU, operating over Mediterranean
and Suez Canal. Few additional conversions made in Middle East using components
shipped from UK.
Vickers Wellington GR Mk VIII: Coastal Command variant based on Pegasus-engined
Vickers Wellington 1C airframe, for antisubmarine and anti-shipping patrol, initially
identified as DWI Mk III. Combined ASV Mk II radar (with four 'stickleback'
aerials on rear fuselage and 'yagi' aerials under wings) with searchlight
to illuminate ships or U-boats at night. Initial comparative trials during
1941 of Vickers Wellington 1C P9223 (an ex-DWI Mk I, using generator already installed)
with Leigh light in retractable ventral installation, and Vickers Wellington 1C
T2977 with Helmore wide-angle searchlight in nose. Leigh light adopted,
and production of Vickers Wellington VIII initiated later in 1941, initially by
conversion of Mk 1C airframes already in production against bomber contracts.
Vickers Wellington VIII (Vickers Type 429) had 30,000-lb (13,608-kg) gross weight,
engine-generated electrical supply, provision to carry two 420-lb (191-kg)
depth charges, crew of five or six, and ASV Mk II radar. Total of 394
delivered from Weybridge, of which 54 had the Leigh light and no nose
turret; 49 (without Leigh light) had long-range tankage and (all but first
65) could carry two 18-in (45.7-cm) torpedoes in the bomb-bay. Squadron
use began in No 172 Sqn; first 'kill' using Leigh light on July 6, 1942,
against U-502.
Max speed, 235 mph (378 kmlh). Service ceiling, 19,000 ft (5,791 m). Range,
2,550 mis (4,104 km). Empty weight, 21,118 Ib (9,579 kg). Gross weight,
30,000 Ib (13,608 kg). Span, 86 ft 2 in (26.26 m). Length, 64 ft 7 in
(19.68 m). Wing area, 840sqft (78.04m2).
Vickers Wellington GR Mk XI: Daytime torpedo bomber based on B Mk X airframe with
Hercules VI or XVI engines, and FN20A four-gun rear turret. Initially
with ASV Mk II 'stickleback' radar; later with ASV centi-metric radar
using disc-type scanner in radome under nose fairing (with nose turret
replaced by Perspex fairing). Production total (Vickers Type 454 with
ASV Mk II, Type 458 with ASV Mk III), 105 at Weybridge and 75 at Squires
Gate, Blackpool. Served with Coastal Command squadrons in UK, Middle East
and Far East, and with No 26 Sqn, SAAF, flying protective patrols from
West Africa.
Vickers Wellington GR Mk XII: Night and daytime torpedo bomber, similar to Mk
XI with ASV Mk III, with addition of retractable ventral Leigh light.
Production total (Vickers Type 455), 50 from Weybridge and eight from
Chester.
Vickers Wellington GR Mk XIII: As GR Mk XI, but with Hercules XVII engines, rated
at 1,725 hp for low altitudes, better suited to maritime patrol operations.
ASV Mk III as standard. Production total (Vickers Type 466), 802 from
Blackpool and 42 from Weybridge. In addition to service with Coastal Command
squadrons, Mk XIIIs used to equip No 69 Sqn, RAF, in specialised night
visual tactical reconnaissance role in 1944-45. ASV removed and clear
Perspex nose fairing in place of turret, for visual observation. Stowage
for 54 flares in fuselage (dropped from 3,000 ft/915 m) and open-shutter
moving film camera fitted for use at 1,000ft (305 m).
Vickers Wellington GR Mk XIV: As GR Mk XII but fitted with low-altitude Hercules
XVII engines as in Mk XIII. Production total (Vickers Type 467), 538 from
Chester, 250 from Blackpool and 53 from Weybridge.
