| Virginia | |
|---|---|
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| Type | heavy night-bomber |
| Manufacturer | Vickers Limited |
| Maiden flight | 24 November 1922 |
| Introduced | 1924 |
| Retired | 1941 |
| Status | Out of service |
| Primary user | Royal Air Force |
| Number built | 124 |
| Developed from | Vickers Vimy |
The Vickers Virginia was a biplane heavy bomber of the British Royal Air Force, developed from the Vickers Vimy.
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Design and development
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. [1] 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.
Operational history
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. Newer designs such as the Fairey Hendon and Handley Page Heyford supplemented rather than replace the Virginia. 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 suggestion of equipping Virginias with the equally antiquated 37mm Coventry Ordnance Works gun. This was not acted on. In the 1930s the Virginias were used in some of the first tests of midair refuelling, 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.[1]
Variants
- Type 57 Virginia : The first prototype. One built.
- Virginia Mk I : Initial prototype for the RAF. Powered by two 450-hp (336-kW) Napier Lion piston engines. One built.
- Type 96 Virginia Mk I : Re-engined Virginia Mk I. Powered by two 650-hp (485-kW) Rolls-Royce Condor engines.
- Type 115 Virginia Mk VIII : Prototype. One built.
- Type 129 Virginia Mk VII : The Mk VIII prototype was converted into the Virginia VII. Virginia VII prototype.
- Type 76 Virginia Mk II : The second prototype. One built.
- Type 79 Virginia Mk III : Heavy night bomber biplane for the RAF. Powered by two 468-hp (349-kW) Napier Lion II piston engines. Six built.
- Type 99 Virginia Mk IV :
- Type 100 Virginia Mk V :
- Type 108 Virginia Mk VI :
- Type 112 Virginia Mk VII : Prototype.
- Type 128 Virginia Mk IX :
- Type 139 Virginia Mk X :
Operators
- Royal Air Force
- No. 7 Squadron RAF
- No. 9 Squadron RAF
- No. 10 Squadron RAF
- No. 51 Squadron RAF
- No. 58 Squadron RAF
- No. 75 Squadron RAF
- No. 97 Squadron RAF
- No. 214 Squadron RAF
- No. 215 Squadron RAF
- No. 500 Squadron RAF
- No. 502 Squadron RAF
Specifications (Virginia X)
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)
- Max takeoff weight: 17,620 lb (7,993 kg)
- Powerplant: 2× Napier Lion VB inline piston, 580 hp (433 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 108 mph (173 km/h)
- Range: 985 miles (1,585 km)
- Service ceiling 15,500 ft (4,725 m)
Armament
- 3× .303 Vickers machine guns
- 3,000 lb (1,360 kg) of bombs
References
- Sturivant, Ray. "Vickers Virginia X J6856." Aviation News Vol. 13, No. 22, 22 March- 4 April, 1985.
- Winchester, Jim. Bombers of the 20th Century. London: Airlife Publishing Ltd., 2003. ISBN 1-84037-386-5.
External links
Related content
Designation sequence
Vickers Vernon - Vickers Victoria - Vickers Virginia - Vickers Vildebeest - Vickers Vanox - Vickers Vincent - Vickers Valentia
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