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Vickers Wellesley

From Alfawiki
Vickers-Armstrongs
IndustryAerospace, Defence
Founded1828
Headquarters
Weybridge, Surrey
,
United Kingdom
ProductsAircraft, including Vickers Wellesley


Template:Infobox aircraft

The Vickers Wellesley was a medium bomber crafted and manufactured by the British firm Vickers-Armstrongs at their Brooklands facility near Weybridge, Surrey. It was one of two aircraft named in honour of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, the other being the Vickers Wellington.

Conceived during the early 1930s to meet Specification G.4/31, the Wellesley evolved from the biplane Vickers Type 253, which served as an initial prototype sharing its innovative geodesic airframe and numerous design elements. The Type 253 was judged the superior design among submissions to the Air Ministry, resulting in an order for 150 units. Concurrently, Vickers developed a monoplane variant, the Type 256, as a private venture; following its successful flight trials, the original order for the Type 253 was amended to produce the Type 256 instead.

A notable demonstration of the aircraft's endurance occurred in early November 1938, when three Wellesleys completed a nonstop flight spanning two days from Ismailia, Egypt, to Darwin, Australia—a distance of 7,162 miles (11,526 km)—establishing a new world distance record.

The majority of Wellesleys produced were allocated to the Royal Air Force (RAF), with six squadrons within RAF Bomber Command operating the type at its operational peak. Although considered outdated by the outbreak of the Second World War and therefore unsuitable for European combat, the Wellesley saw active service in overseas desert campaigns across East Africa, Egypt, and the Middle East. The last RAF unit equipped with Wellesleys, 47 Squadron, concluded its use of the aircraft as a maritime reconnaissance platform in September 1942.

Background

The origins of the Wellesley trace back to the early 1930s when Vickers sought to expand its presence in fixed-wing aircraft production after ceasing airship manufacturing.[1] Many designs from this period responded to various Air Ministry specifications, typically featuring conventional biplane layouts but larger than typical contemporaries and powered by more robust engines. While some proposals remained conceptual, they frequently incorporated Barnes Wallis' innovations to reduce weight without sacrificing structural integrity through lightweight alloy construction.[2]

In 1931, Specification G.4/31 was issued by the Ministry, calling for a versatile aircraft capable of performing level bombing, army cooperation, dive bombing, reconnaissance, casualty evacuation, and torpedo bombing roles.[3] Vickers promptly engaged its design team to develop suitable responses. Three distinct concepts emerged: two monoplanes with different engines and one biplane designated as the Vickers Type 253.[4] After submission in November 1931, the Air Ministry selected the Type 253 and awarded Vickers an initial development contract in April 1932.[4]

While progressing with Type 253 prototypes, Vickers simultaneously pursued a monoplane design independently aimed at meeting the same specification.[5] This model featured a geodesic airframe inspired by Wallis’ earlier work on the airship R100. Aviation historian C. F. Andrews noted this represented a significant departure from conventional designs that had remained largely unchanged since World War I. Wallis championed this approach due to its exceptional strength-to-weight advantages.[6] While some geodesic elements were incorporated into the Type 253 structure, it did not fully adopt this framework like the monoplane under development.[7]

Upon completion, prototypes of Type 253 underwent comparative trials against competing aircraft such as the Fairey G.4/31, Westland PV-7, Handley Page HP.47, Armstrong Whitworth A.W.19, Blackburn B-7, Hawker P.V.4, and the Parnall G.4/31. These evaluations confirmed that Type 253 was superior among submissions, leading to Vickers receiving an order for production of 150 units.[8]

Type 246

The privately developed monoplane, internally designated as the Vickers Type 246, continued advancing through its development stages. Its first flight took place on 19 June 1935 at Brooklands, with Vickers' Chief Test Pilot J "Mutt" Summers at the controls. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft was proposed to the Royal Air Force (RAF).[9] Though it demonstrated excellent performance, it was designed exclusively for the bomber role and did not attempt to fulfill the multi-role criteria outlined in the specification. Following a crash on 23 July 1934 that damaged the G.4/31 monoplane, this aircraft was reconstructed as a pre-production Type 246 to aid in its further development.[10]

Andrews noted that the Wellesley demanded an unusually large allocation of engineering development effort, primarily due to its innovative airframe structure.[11] Substantial metallurgical investigations were required, alongside various structural testing setups to confirm the airframe's integrity. The production of the curved frames integral to its geodesic design called for new powered machinery, which significantly accelerated manufacturing compared to the initial hand-operated techniques used during early pre-production. This machinery later found application in several wartime and postwar aircraft, including the Vickers VC10 jetliner.[12] Andrews also suggests that Vickers had contemplated employing stressed-skin construction for the Wellesley.[13]

Into production

File:Pilot officer Kennedy of 47 Squadron RAF Mar 1941 IWM CM 658.jpg
Wellesley wing showing damage sustained in combat, highlighting the geodesic framework constructed from duralumin

In September 1935, an initial order for 96 Type 246 units replaced a previous Type 253 contract; this model was officially named Wellesley.[9][14] By August 1936, the contract was updated to specify that production aircraft would be equipped with the Bristol Pegasus XX radial engine. The first production Wellesley took flight on 30 January 1937 at Brooklands and was delivered for type testing at RAF Martlesham Heath on 18 March.[13]

The RAF eventually placed an order for a total of 176 aircraft under Specification 22/35. Production began in March 1937 and continued over a span of fourteen months.[15] By March 1938, all 176 Wellesleys were operational, with 57 stationed at home bases. Around this period, the RAF explored various modifications to enhance the Wellesley, including options for adding a third crew member amidships as a navigator and revisiting the bomb-aimers' prone position.[13] Due to vibration issues when bomb-container doors were opened, these doors were removed without significantly increasing aerodynamic drag. The original wing design lacked adequate strength, resulting in most aircraft being constructed with an improved wing; eight earlier models were retrofitted accordingly.[16]

The Wellesley featured a single-engine monoplane configuration with an exceptionally high wing aspect ratio of 8.83 and a manually operated retractable undercarriage. Since it was uncertain how the geodesic framework would perform if interrupted by a bomb bay, its payload was instead carried in streamlined panniers mounted beneath each wing.[17][18] The Wellesley Mk I had two separate cockpits; this arrangement was slightly modified in what became known unofficially as the Wellesley Mk II, where the pilot’s canopy was extended rearwards to enclose the navigator/bomb aimer's position previously located within the fuselage.[19] The gunner occupied a distinct canopy. Flight controls were provided only to the pilot. Additionally, the aircraft was equipped with a three-axis autopilot.[20]

Operational history

File:Vickers Wellesley MKI.jpg
A Wellesley Mk.I belonging to 47 Squadron RAF, identifiable by the code 'KU', flying over desert terrain

The Royal Air Force began receiving the Wellesley aircraft in April 1937, initially deploying them with No. 76 Squadron RAF stationed at Finningley. Eventually, six squadrons within RAF Bomber Command across the United Kingdom were equipped with this model.[15] Five of these bombers, adapted for three-person crews, underwent modifications for extended range missions with the RAF Long-Range Development Flight. Enhancements included installation of Pegasus XXII engines and additional fuel tanks.[15] On 5 November 1938, three such aircraft, led by Squadron Leader Richard Kellett, completed a nonstop flight lasting two days from Ismailia, Egypt to Darwin, Australia, covering a distance of 7,162 miles (11,526 km) and establishing a new world distance record. Although all three planes surpassed the previous record, the second aircraft landed in West Timor, approximately 500 miles (800 km) short of the destination. This record stood until November 1945.[21][22] Notably, this remains the longest flight ever accomplished by an aircraft powered by a single piston engine.[23]

By the onset of the Second World War, all Wellesleys had been withdrawn from service within home-based squadrons in Britain, leaving only four operational units domestically; nonetheless, three squadrons stationed in the Middle East continued to operate the type.[15][24] To succeed the Wellesley, RAF Bomber Command had acquired numerous more advanced twin-engine bombers such as the Handley Page Hampden, Armstrong Whitworth Whitley, and Vickers Wellington—the latter sharing its geodesic structural design with the Wellesley.[20]

After Italy declared war on 10 June 1940, Wellesley-equipped squadrons remaining in service took part in the East African Campaign against Italian forces occupying Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somaliland. Despite being outdated by this period, the Wellesley formed a significant component of the British Commonwealth bombing units focused primarily on attacks against targets in Eritrea and northern Ethiopia.[24] The first bombing sortie from Sudan-based Wellesleys occurred on 11 June 1940 against Asmara in Eritrea. Just three days later, these bombers encountered their first aerial engagement when Capitano Mario Visintini, who would become the leading biplane ace of World War II, intercepted two Wellesleys from 14 Squadron en route to bomb Massawa. Flying a Fiat CR.42 Falco, Visintini successfully shot down aircraft K7743 piloted by Pilot Officer Reginald Patrick Blenner Plunkett—marking Visintini’s initial victory out of sixteen in Eastern Africa.[25][26]

During the early stages of this campaign, fighter escorts were unavailable; consequently, when confronted by CR.42 biplanes, Wellesleys demonstrated vulnerability to these Italian fighters. Nonetheless, bombing operations continued unabated—for instance, a raid on Addis Ababa was launched from Aden on 18 August.[27] The Wellesley remained active against Italian forces in East Africa until November 1941 when Gondar—the final Italian stronghold—was captured by Commonwealth and Ethiopian troops. Subsequently, the last squadron operating Wellesleys, 47 Squadron, transitioned to maritime reconnaissance missions over the Red Sea and maintained this role until September 1942.[28]

Although not regarded as a frontline combat aircraft during its service life, the engineering concepts proven through the Wellesley's design were effectively applied to the development of the Wellington medium bomber. The Wellington became a critical asset for Bomber Command during the early years of conflict in Europe. Additionally, in February 1940 three Wellesleys (K7728, K7735 and K8531) were sold to Egypt where they served with the Royal Egyptian Air Force.[29]

Variants

Type 281 Wellesley
The manufacturer's designation assigned to the Wellesley bomber model.
Type 287 Wellesley Mk I
Medium bomber aircraft initially designed with two seats, later expanded to three. The Mk I featured distinct canopies for the pilot and the gunner’s stations.
Wellesley Mk II
An informal label applied to versions equipped with a lengthened canopy that enclosed both the pilot and bomb aimer.
Type 289
Served as a test platform for evaluating the Hercules HE15 radial piston engine.
Type 291
Configured specifically for blind-flying training purposes.
Type 292
A set of five aircraft adapted by the RAF’s Long-Range Development Unit Flight for extended-distance missions. Modifications included significant work on a fuel jettison system to enable emergency landings early in flights when fuel weight exceeded maximum landing limits. These aircraft were distinguishable by their NACA-style elongated cowlings. Three were utilized during the record-setting flight.
Type 294
Prototype featuring reinforced wings designed to sever barrage balloon cables.
Type 402
Experimental aircraft configured with three crew members.

Operators

File:Flag of South Africa (1928–1982).svg South Africa
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Specifications (Wellesley)

File:Vickers Wellesley.png
Orthographic projection of the Wellesley Mk.I, alongside the Type 292 profile used in the LRDU record-breaking mission.

Template:Aircraft specs

See also

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References

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Citations

  1. ↑ Andrews 1969, pp. 291-292.
  2. ↑ Andrews 1969, pp. 292-295.
  3. ↑ Andrews 1969, p. 295.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Andrews 1969, pp. 295-296.
  5. ↑ Andrews 1969, p. 296.
  6. ↑ Andrews 1969, pp. 296-297.
  7. ↑ Andrews 1969, p. 297.
  8. ↑ Andrews 1969, p. 298.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named mason p237
  10. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named andrews 299300
  11. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named andrews 302
  12. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named andrews 3023
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named andrews 303
  14. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named andrews 299
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Crosby
  16. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named andrews 304
  17. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named mason p237-8
  18. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named andrews 300
  19. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named andrews 305
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named andrews 308
  21. ↑ Barfield 1973, p. 89.
  22. ↑ Andrews 1969, pp. 305-308.
  23. ↑ Murray 2009, p.52.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Air International July 1980, p. 33.
  25. ↑ Sutherland & Canwell 2009, p. 32.
  26. ↑ Skulski 2007, p. 40.
  27. ↑ Air International July 1980, p. 49.
  28. ↑ Air International July 1980, p. 50.
  29. ↑ Barfield 1973, p. 93.

Bibliography

  • Andrews, C.F. Vickers Aircraft Since 1908. London: Putnam, 1969.
  • Andrews, C.F. and E.B. Morgan. Vickers Aircraft since 1908. London: Putnam, Second Edition 1999. ISBN 0-85177-815-1.
  • Barfield, Norman. Vickers Wellesley Variants (Aircraft in Profile 256). Windsor, Berkshire, UK: Profile Publications Limited, 1973.
  • Crosby, Francis. The World Encyclopedia of Bombers. London: Anness Publishing Ltd., 2007. ISBN 1-84477-511-9.
  • Massimello, Giovanni and Giorgio Apostolo. Italian Aces of World War Two. Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 2000. ISBN 978-1-84176-078-0.
  • Spick, Mike: The complete fighter ace – All the World's Fighter Aces, 1914–2000. London, Greenhill Books, 1999. ISBN 1-85367-255-6.
  • Mason, Francis K. The British Bomber since 1914. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books, 1994. ISBN 0-85177-861-5.
  • Murray, Iain R. Bouncing-Bomb Man: The Science of Sir Barnes Wallis. Yeovil, Somerset, UK: J.H. Haynes & Co Ltd., 2009. ISBN 978-1-84425-588-7.
  • Skulski, Przemysław: Fiat CR.42 Falco. Redbourn, UK: Mushroom Model Publications, 2007. ISBN 83-89450-34-8.
  • Sutherland, Jon & Diane Canwell: Air War East Africa 1940–41 The RAF versus the Italian Air Force. Barnsley (South Yorkshire) Pen and Sword Aviation, 2009. ISBN 978-1-84415-816-4.
  • "The Wellesley: Geodetics in Action." Air International, Volume 18, No. 1, July 1980, pp. 25–33, 49–50. Bromley, Kent, UK: Pilot Press. Template:ISSN.

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