Vickers Vespa

Vickers Limited

Industry	Aerospace, Defence
Founded	1828 in Sheffield, England
Fate	Merged into Vickers-Armstrongs in 1927
Headquarters	London , United Kingdom
Products	Aircraft, armaments, ships

File:Vickers Vespa side view.jpg

The Vickers Vespa was a British army cooperation biplane developed and manufactured by Vickers Limited during the 1920s. Although it was not adopted by the Royal Air Force, limited quantities were procured by the Irish Free State and Bolivia, with the latter deploying the aircraft in the Chaco War. A specially modified Vespa set a world altitude record of 43,976 ft (13,407 m) in September 1932.

Design and development

Vickers initiated the Vespa as a private project aimed at fulfilling the Air Ministry's Specification 30/24. The initial prototype, designated Vespa I, completed its maiden flight in September 1925. This aircraft featured a single-engine biplane configuration with a narrow fuselage positioned between closely spaced, strongly staggered two-bay wooden wings. It was submitted to the Royal Air Force for assessment but suffered a crash landing due to engine failure on 24 June 1926, resulting in significant damage. Subsequently, it was reconstructed with steel-framed, fabric-covered wings and redesignated as Vespa II, but this version failed to secure RAF orders.

Despite this, interest arose from other operators. In 1928, Bolivia placed an order for six improved all-metal Vespa III models, while the Irish Free State acquired four Vespa IV aircraft in 1929 and an additional four Vespa V units in 1930.

The original prototype was later converted into the Vespa VI for demonstration purposes to the Central Chinese government; however, no purchase followed, leading to its return to Britain. It was then rebuilt as the Vespa VII, equipped with a supercharged Bristol Pegasus S engine to attempt the world altitude record. On 16 September 1932, it established a new record at an altitude of 43,976 ft (13,407 m).

Operational history

In 1928, Bolivia received six Vespa III aircraft, primarily utilized for operational conversion purposes. Despite this primary role, they were deployed in a limited capacity during the Chaco War, serving as reconnaissance planes and long-range bombers. These missions were conducted at low altitudes, contrasting with the high-altitude performance for which Bolivia's Vespas were originally designed. These aircraft remained active in Bolivian service until 1935.

The eight Vespas operated by Ireland continued to serve for multiple years from the Irish Air Corps base located at Baldonnel, near Dublin. The final aircraft was decommissioned on 12 June 1940.

Variants

Vickers Type 113 Vespa I

Prototype designed for army cooperation tasks and evaluated by the RAF. Featured wooden wings and was powered by a Bristol Jupiter IV radial engine, later upgraded to Jupiter VI. Only one unit was produced (registration G-EBLD).

Vickers Type 119 Vespa II

A modification of the Vespa I with metal wings replacing the original wooden ones.

Vickers Type 149 Vespa III

Enhanced all-metal production model intended for Bolivia, equipped with a 455 hp (339 kW) Jupiter VI engine. Six units were built.

Vickers Type 193 Vespa IV

Production variant supplied to the Irish Air Corps, powered by a 490 hp (370 kW) Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar VIC engine. Four aircraft constructed.

Vickers Type 208 Vespa V

An improved version of the Vespa IV for the Irish Air Corps, featuring a Townend ring around the engine. Four units produced.

Vickers Type 210 Vespa VI

The initial prototype rebuilt and re-registered as G-ABIL, demonstrated to representatives of the Central Chinese government.

Vickers Type 250 Vespa VII

Converted from the Vespa VI and fitted with a Bristol Pegasus S engine to attempt an altitude record.

Operators

Template:BOL

• Bolivian Air Force

Template:IRL

• Irish Air Corps

Template:UK

• Royal Air Force

See also

Bibliography

• Andrews, C.F. and Morgan, Eric B. Vickers Aircraft since 1908, Second edition. London: Putnam, 1988. ISBN 0-85177-815-1.
• Donald, David, editor. The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. London: Aerospace Publishing, 1997. ISBN 1-85605-375-X.
• Mason, Francis K. The British Bomber since 1914. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books, 1994. ISBN 0-85177-861-5.

External links

• "Super Charge Engine Lifts Plane Eight Miles" April 1933 issue of Popular Mechanics (page partially missing; scroll down to page 507 with full page 506 above)