VICKERS WINDSOR - High-performance
long-range bomber evolved from 1941 onwards by Rex Pierson's design team,
initially as pressurised Warwick III in accordance with Operational Requirement
OR. 106 and Specification B.5/41. Two prototypes ordered September 1942
to revised OR.115 and Specification B.3/42; two further prototypes and
two pre-production Vickers Windsor Is ordered later and plans for production batch
of 300 (Vickers Type 483) drawn up, but only three prototypes eventually
completed. Vickers Windsor designed to have four crew in pressure capsule within
fuselage using geodetic construction, but pressurisation abandoned before
first flight of prototype DW506 (Vickers Type 447) on October 23, 1943,
at Farnborough. High aspect ratio wing of elliptical planform carried
four 1,315 hp Rolls-Royce Merlin 65s, and four individual main undercarriage
legs, one in each nacelle. Second prototype DW512 (Type 457) had 1,635
hp Merlin 85s in annular cowls and first flew on February 15, 1944. Third
prototype NK136 (Type 480) had Merlin 85s and introduced remotely-controlled
barbettes in tails of inner engine nacelles, each mounting a pair of 20-mm
cannon, aimed from the (gunless) tail turret. With two 0.303-in (7.7-mm)
Brownings in the nose, this prototype flew on July 11, 1944, and, with
DW512, continued on test until after war ended, when further development
and production were cancelled.
Max speed, 317 mph (510 km/h) at 23,000 ft (7,010 m). Gross weight 54,000
Ib (24,495 kg). Span, 117 ft 2 in (35.71 m). Length, 76ft 10 in (23.43
m).
