Time Period: World War I
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Type: Biplane, Bomber Aircraft
Manufacturer: Vickers Limited
Vickers Vimy Aircraft Overview
The Vickers Vimy was a British heavy bomber aircraft that was produced by Vickers Limited during World War I. The Vimy was designed by Rex Pierson and J. Kenworthy, and it was first flown in 1917.
The Vimy was a twin-engine biplane that was powered by Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII engines. It had a wingspan of 68 feet and a length of 40 feet, and it was capable of carrying a payload of up to 2,500 pounds. The aircraft was equipped with a forward-firing machine gun and a rear gunner position.
The Vimy is best known for its use in the first non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean, which was completed by Alcock and Brown in June 1919. The flight took just over 16 hours and covered a distance of approximately 1,900 miles. The Vimy’s success in this feat helped to establish the viability of long-distance air travel and inspired further developments in aviation technology.
Vickers Vimy Specifications
- Crew: 3
- Length: 43 ft 7 in (13.28 m)
- Wingspan: 68 ft 1 in (20.75 m)
- Height: 15 ft 8 in (4.78 m)
- Wing area: 1,330 sq ft (124 m2)
- Empty weight: 7,104 lb (3,222 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 10,884 lb (4,937 kg)
- Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII water-cooled V12 engines, 300 hp (220 kW) each.
Vickers Vimy Performance
- Maximum speed: 100 mph (160 km/h, 87 kn)
- Range: 900 mi (1,400 km, 780 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 7,000 ft (2,100 m)
Vickers Vimy Armament
- Guns: 1 × .303 in (7.7 mm) Lewis Gun in Scarff ring in the nose and 1 × in Scarff ring in mid-fuselage.
- Bombs: 2,476 lb (1,123 kg) of bombs.