Time Period: Interwar Period
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Type: Bomber Aircraft, Anti-Submarine
Manufacturer: Vickers Limited
Vickers Wellington Aircraft Overview
The Vickers Wellington was a British twin-engined bomber aircraft that was used extensively during World War II. The Wellington was designed and produced by Vickers-Armstrongs, Ltd., and it entered service with the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1938.
The Wellington was distinctive for its geodesic airframe, which consisted of a lattice structure of intersecting metal tubes and strips. This design provided strength and durability while minimizing weight. The aircraft was powered by two Bristol Hercules radial engines and had a top speed of around 235 mph.
The Wellington was used in a variety of roles during the war, including as a bomber, maritime patrol aircraft, and transport. It was also used for special operations, including dropping agents and supplies to resistance fighters in occupied Europe.
Although the Wellington was considered outdated by the end of the war, it remained in service with the RAF until 1953. A total of 11,461 Wellingtons were built, making it one of the most numerous British aircraft of the war.
Vickers Wellington Mk IC Specifications
- Crew: five or six
- Length: 64 ft 7 in (19.69 m)
- Wingspan: 86 ft 2 in (26.26 m)
- Height: 17 ft 5 in (5.31 m)
- Wing area: 840 sq ft (78 m2)
- Empty weight: 18,556 lb (8,417 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 28,500 lb (12,927 kg)
- Powerplant: 2 × Bristol Pegasus Mark XVIII radial engines, 1,050 hp (780 kW) each
Vickers Wellington Mk IC Performance
- Maximum speed: 235 mph (378 km/h, 204 kn) at 15,500 ft (4,700 m)
- Range: 2,550 mi (4,100 km, 2,220 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 18,000 ft (5,500 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,120 ft/min (5.7 m/s)
Vickers Wellington Mk IC Armament
- Guns: 6–8× .303 Browning machine guns:
- 2× in nose turret
- 2× in tail turret
- 2× in waist positions
- Bombs: 4,500 lb (2,000 kg) bombs
