Vickers Virginia flight ops 1935

The Vickers Virginia was a biplane heavy bomber of the British Royal Air Force, developed from the Vickers Vimy. The work on the Virginia was started in 1921 as a replacement to the Vimy. The Virginia was similar to the Vimy, but notably had a lowered front gunner's pulpit to allow the pilot a greater field of view, 20 feet (6 meter) greater wingspan, and a 9 ft (2.7 m) longer fuselage. The Virginia was powered by twin Napier Lion engines which provided it with almost twice as much power as the Vimy. The Virginia flew for the first time on 24 November 1922.

At the Aircraft Experimental Establishment at Martlesham, the Virginia prototype underwent type trials. One of the first modifications was to replace the original two-bladed propellers with a four-bladed example. An unusual set of "fighting top" turrets were added to the top wings but were later deleted from production aircraft.

The Marks I-VI had straight wings, whereas the Mark VII introduced swept outer wings. Starting with the Mark III the Virginia mounted a rear fuselage gunner, who was moved into a tail turret in the Mark VII.

The Mark X was introduced in late 1924 and featured a duralumin and steel structure covered in fabric, aluminum, and wood.

A total of 124 Virginias were built, of which 50 were Mark X variants.
The first squadron of Mark I Virginias was assembled in 1924. Despite mediocre performance the aircraft served frontline units until 1938, when it was replaced by the newer Wellingtons, Hampdens and Whitleys.

The final almost all-metal Virginia Mark X were the most numerous RAF bombers until the ascendance of the Heyford in 1934. After its technical obsolescence as a bomber it was used for photography and for parachute training, with jump platforms installed behind the engine nacelles. On 26 June 1940, a committee discussing the need for airborne cannon for use against invasion tanks included the perhaps non-serious suggestion of equipping Virginias with the equally antiquated 37mm COW gun. This was not acted on.

In the 1930s the Virginias were used in some of the first tests of midair refueling, although they were never used in this role outside of tests.

The Virginia was developed in parallel with the Vickers Victoria freighter, and the two aircraft had much in common, notably sharing the same design of wing.

The Virginias were highly accident prone, with 81 lost in this manner. Despite their obsolete status, Virginias continued to soldier on in support roles with the Parachute Test Flight at Henlow until December 1941.

General characteristics
Crew: Four
Length: 52 ft 3 in (15.93 m)
Wingspan: 87ft 8 in (26.77 m)
Height: 18 ft 2 in (5.54 m)
Wing area: 663.85 ft² (202.34 m²)
Empty weight: 9,650 lb (4,377 kg)
Loaded weight: lb (kg)
Max takeoff weight: 17,620lb (7,993 kg)
Powerplant: 2× Napier Lion VB Inline Piston , 580 hp (432.7 kW) each
Performance
Maximum speed: 108 mph (173 km/h)
Range: 985 miles (1585 km)
Service ceiling: 15,500 ft (4,725 m)
Rate of climb: ft/min (m/s)
Wing loading: lb/ft² (kg/m²)
Power/mass: hp/lb (kW/kg)
Armament
3× .303 Vickers machine gun
3,000 lb (1,360 kg) of bombs

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Vickers
• Virginia
• RAF
• bomber
• aviation
• history
• aircraft
• biplane
• airplane

[twinten]

This has got to be the first airplane with a tail gunner !!! If not,which one was.

[Bomberguy]

That's what I was thinking, he's really stuck back there too

[kgs42]

Very nice period feel ....

"After this he has no further say in the matter ..... " (ha!)

Exceptionally interesting .... thank you.

[FrancoHitlini]

Even the Blenheim was barely adequate by 1940. I have not the exact figures to hand (I am sure somebody will pop up with these) but casualties among Blenheim crews was very high. Although, it wasn't the worst aeroplane by any means and other factors to do with poor command was partly to blame.

[FrancoHitlini]

Biplanes lasted well into the second world war. Investment in military aircraft lapsed for a time following WW1 and many were just upgrades of earlier aircraft which explains their archaic look. Mumblings of possible war shook everyone out of their lethargy and the progress of aircraft design really was quick through the 1930s with many modern looking planes being seriously outclassed by 1939/40

[BJBFOREST]

@stinkingdog101 Agree. It is amazing how the onset of war creates new ideas and equipment. Perhaps the British had spent so much money on WW1 that it didn't see the need to invest in its airforce at that time.

[chanctonbury63]

Jumping from the wing.

Nowadays that would be called a premature deployment. In those days it was the only way to get the thing out of the bag!

[NocturalRyte]

Imagine a thousand of these flying over Berlin with 88mm flak blasting all around them. lol

[fundiebasher]

Interesting(!) arrangement of the reserve chute under the left arm, can't imagine it being an easy painless deployment.

[slippypippie]

The Vickers Virginia, I believe, remained in front line service till 1937. It was used in parachute training and at the Home Aircraft Depot at Henlow. Some were still flying in 1941. Virginias first entered RAF service in 1924. In '37 the Bristol Blenheim entered service and this was a completely different kettle of fish!

[stinkingdog101]

Yes you are right...it was the B17 flying fortress first delivered for operational developement on aug 4 1937 at Langley field actually designated Y1B-17. Unless Wilkipedia is wrong .

[romanbrough]

I dont think you really meant to say  B17 Liberator?