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Vickers Vixen

From Alfawiki
Vickers
IndustryAerospace
Founded1828
FounderEdward Vickers
Headquarters
London
,
United Kingdom
ProductsAircraft, including the Vickers Vixen series

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The Vickers Vixen was a versatile British biplane developed during the 1920s. Created by Vickers in several versions, it saw the sale of 18 Vixen Mark V models to Chile. A prototype featuring metal wings was produced under the name Vickers Vivid. Additionally, the Vixen served as the foundation for the closely related Venture and Valparaiso aircraft, which were also manufactured and sold in limited quantities throughout the decade.

Development and design

In 1922, Vickers embarked on designing a two-seat biplane privately, aiming to replace the Airco DH.9A and Bristol F.2 Fighter. Drawing from lessons learned with the unsuccessful wartime FB.14 fighter-reconnaissance aircraft, the Vixen was constructed as a single-bay biplane featuring a steel tube fuselage combined with wooden wings and powered by a 450 hp (340 kW) Napier Lion engine. The initial prototype, known as the Type 71 Vixen I and registered as G-EBEC, completed its maiden flight in February 1923.[1] Tested at Martlesham Heath, it demonstrated promising performance, leading to its adaptation into a day bomber configuration designated as the Type 87 Vixen II. This variant replaced the original car-type radiator with a ventral radiator positioned between the undercarriage legs and first flew on 13 August 1923.[2] The designs of both the Vixen I and II served as bases for the Venture army co-operation aircraft intended for the Royal Air Force and for the Valparaiso model aimed at export markets.[3]

The subsequent iteration, the Vickers Type 91 Vixen III, took flight in April 1924. It featured enlarged wings spanning 44 ft (13.4 m), compared to the earlier wingspan of 34 ft 6 in (10.5 m), enhancing high-altitude performance, and reverted to a nose-mounted radiator design. The Vixen III underwent testing with both wheeled and floatplane undercarriages before being converted back to a landplane.[4] It also participated in air racing events, including the King's Cup Races of 1925, 1926, and 1927.[5] This model formed the basis for the Type 116 Vixen V, which incorporated a high-compression Lion V engine along with a redesigned tail; eighteen units of this type were acquired by Chile.[6]

File:Vickers Vivid in flight.jpg
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At the end of 1924, the Vixen II prototype was reconfigured to accommodate a more powerful Rolls-Royce Condor engine, resulting in the Type 105 Vixen IV, intended primarily for night fighter operations. Despite showing better performance compared to Lion-powered variants, it failed to achieve success. Subsequently, it was modified with enlarged wings similar to those on the Vixen III and repurposed as a general-purpose aircraft designated as the Type 124 Vixen VI. This version was submitted as a private venture to satisfy Air Ministry Specification 26/27 requirements, competing against contemporaries such as the Bristol Beaver, Fairey Ferret, de Havilland Hound, Gloster Goral, Westland Wapiti, and Vickers' own Valiant. Ultimately, it was rejected due to concerns that the Condor engine's weight and power exceeded what was appropriate for its intended role.[7][8]

Following recognition of issues with wooden wings on Chilean-operated Vixen Vs, development shifted towards producing versions equipped with metal wings. Initially labeled as Vixen VII, this model was soon renamed Vickers Vivid. The original Vixen III prototype underwent reconstruction with metal wings to become the Type 130 Vivid, which first flew on 27 June 1927,[9] powered by a Lion VA engine. It was later upgraded with a more powerful Lion XI engine and redesignated as the Type 146 Vivid. Although evaluated by Romania, no orders were placed; eventually, the prototype was sold privately in 1931 before being destroyed in a fire at Chelmsford in 1932.[10]

Operational history

In May 1925, the Military Aviation Service of Chile initially ordered twelve Vixen V aircraft, a quantity that was later increased to eighteen by July. Despite experiencing frequent engine difficulties due to the specialized fuel mixture—comprising two-thirds petrol and one-third benzol—required for the high-compression Lion V engine, and the need for regular re-rigging caused by wooden wings exposed to the high temperatures in Northern Chile, the Vixen Vs proved popular within Chilean operations. These aircraft were operated by the Grupo Mixto de Aviación N° 3 and were utilized for extensive flights covering several hundred miles, maintaining active service for multiple years. When the Chilean Air Force was established in March 1930 by merging the aviation units of the Army and Navy, the remaining Vixens were incorporated into this new organization. During the September 1931 Sailors' mutiny, two Vixen aircraft took part in bombing attacks against rebellious naval vessels, including the battleship Almirante Latorre. In 1932, an additional Vixen was assembled from spare components at the Maestranza Central de Aviación located at El Bosque Airport. This particular model featured an enclosed cabin and was employed for photographic survey tasks, replacing a Junkers W34 previously used for such missions. The Chilean Air Force retired its last Vixen aircraft in 1936.

Following its rejection by the Royal Air Force, the Vixen VI gained prominence when test pilot Joseph Summers and Colonel Charles Russell of the Irish Air Corps flew it on the inaugural Irish air mail route between Galway and London.

Variants

Type 71 Vixen I
Prototype fighter-reconnaissance model powered by a 450 hp (340 kW) Napier Lion engine.
Type 87 Vixen II
Converted from the Vixen I prototype to serve as a light bomber.
Type 91 Vixen III
Equipped with larger wings to enhance performance at higher altitudes. Only one unit produced.
Type 105 Vixen IV
An evolution of the Vixen II featuring a 650 hp (490 kW) Rolls-Royce Condor III engine, designed for use as a night fighter.
Type 106 Vixen III
A modification of Type 91 adapted for participation in the 1925 King's Cup Air Race.
File:Vickers Vivid on ground.jpg
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Type 116 Vixen V
A versatile aircraft intended for Chile, powered by a high-compression Lion V engine with eighteen units constructed.
Type 124 Vixen VI
A general-purpose adaptation of the Vixen IV fitted with a Rolls-Royce Condor IIIA engine. This variant did not enter production.
Type 130 Vivid
Derived from the Vixen III prototype but fitted with metal wings and powered by a Lion VA engine.
Type 142 Vivid
The Type 130 prototype re-engined with a Lion XI powerplant; no further production followed.
Type 148 Vixen III
A single-seat refinement of Type 106 designed specifically for air racing, achieving second place in the 1926 King's Cup race and third place in 1927.

Operators

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Specifications (Vixen V)

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See also

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References

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  1. ↑ Mason 1994, pp. 146–147
  2. ↑ Andrews & Morgan 1988, p. 178
  3. ↑ Andrews & Morgan 1988, pp. 179–180
  4. ↑ Andrews & Morgan 1988, pp. 182–183
  5. ↑ Jackson 1988, p. 353
  6. ↑ Andrews & Morgan 1988, p. 184
  7. ↑ Mason 1994, p. 147
  8. ↑ Andrews & Morgan 1988, pp. 186–187
  9. ↑ Andrews & Morgan 1988, pp. 189–191
  10. ↑ Mason 1994, p. 197
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