------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Version 31 March 1995 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ During WWI both the Army and the Navy had their flying units, the RFC (Royal Flying Corps) and RNAS (Royal Navy Air Service). The RNAS was not limited to seagoing aircraft or maritime patrol; it was also responsible for the defence of the British islands (a traditional task for the fleet) and was responsible for the first strategic bombardments. The RAF became one of the world's first independent air forces on April 1, 1918. After WWI the RAF was made responsible for all aircraft, including ship-based aircraft. As a consequence most naval aircraft were adopted landplanes. In these years defence spending was low; the RAF flew with unsophisticated, often old aircraft, and was quite small. To defend its existence, the RAF concentrated on the use of aircraft for colonial warfare in the enormous British imperium. A series of sturdy all-round aircraft was built for this task. Later the RN was again made responsible for its own Fleet Air Arm (FAA). The FAA was, in principle, only concerned with seagoing aircraft; maritime patrol by land-based aircraft was the task of the RAF Coastal Command. The RAF was organized according to the function of the aircraft, with Coastal Command, Bomber Command, Fighter Command, and Transport and Training Command. Preparing for war, the RAF concentrated on strategic bombardment as a policy; the proponents of strategic bombing expected that it would win the war. In WWII it was quickly found out that the neglected tactical air forces were ineffective, that the strategic force was too weak to achieve significant results, that day bombardments were too dangerous and that night bombardments were unaccaptably inaccurate. Likewise, the RN found out that most of its equipment was antiquated. On the other hand, Fighter Command had reequipped just in time, and was an effective and modern force, that won the Battle of Britain and assured Britain's survival. In the war years a more effective RAF was built. New, four-engined bombers allowed attacks deep into Germany, and new electronics made accurate navigation over long distances possible. To compensate for the aiming inaccuracy the RAF introduced 'area bombing', targeting whole cities for destruction, a tactic that had little real impact on German war production or morale, but killed large numbers of civilians. The strategic offensive of the RAF became a more significant factor late in 1944, when new target marking techniques allowed the RAF to attack at night with more precision than the American day bombers, doing more destruction because of heavier bomb load and bigger bombs. In the mean time a new tactical air force had grown, using effective fighter-bombers as the Typhoon, and many US built aircraft, that contributed enormously to the victories on the battlefield. Long-range patrol aircraft and aircraft operating from escort carrier, using new radar sets, won the war against the U-boats that had treathened the supply lines. After the war the UK was quick to introduce jet fighters. Development of new bomber aircraft was slow, however, and the RAF had to accept American aircraft; development of swept-wing and later supersonic fighters was even more protracted. The British aviation industry, once prosperous, ran into trouble; a final blow was dealt by the 1956 'Defence White Paper' of Duncan Sandys, who based his policy on the theory that the future belonged to guided missiles and that all manned aircraft were obsolete! Today the UK produces only a few aircraft of own design, like the Harrier, Lynx, and Hawk. The British industry also exports these aircraft, and even managed to sell the Harrier, Hawk and Short Sherpa to the USA. But the development of major combat aircraft can no longer be afforded, and the Jaguar, Tornado, EH 101 and EFA are all produced in cooperation with European partners. In the 70's the RN abandoned its last big carriers, and most aircraft were transferred to the RAF. The RN now as a few small carriers with helicopters and Sea Harriers. Contrary to the US forces, the British air force never applied a standard system of alphanumeric codes to its aircraft. Instead, aircraft are known by their name, followed by a letter to indicate function (F for Fighter, FAW for all-wheater fighter, B for bomber) and a Mark number. This system has been changed a few times: function letters were not always applied, and roman numbers were replaced by arabic ones after WWII. Some aircraft are identified by two-number codes, as F20/27; this is the number of the specification they were designed to; the first number is the sequential number of the specification, the second the year in which this was issued. Acceptance in one form or another by the RAF or RN is no criterion for inclusion in this list; other British military aircraft are included too. Aircraft built outside Britain are included if they have been used by the British forces. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- --0-------------------------------------------------------------------------- --A-------------------------------------------------------------------------- A.10, Saunders Sesquiplane fighter of all-metal construction. Performance and handling were disappointing. One built. Type: A.10 Function: fighter Year: 1929 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 480hp R.R.F F.XI Speed: 322km/h Ceiling: 8840m Range: Armament: 4*mg7.7mm A.37, Saro This was a half-scale flying model of the S.38 design for a large four-engined patrol flying boat. The results of this research effort were used for the Short Shetland flying boat, which was produced in cooperation with Saro. Type: A.37 Function: experimental Year: 1939 Crew: 2 Engines: 4 * 95hp Pbjoy Niagara IV Wing Span: Length: Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: A.E.1, Royal Aircraft Factory Also known as the F.E.3. A.E.3 Ram, Royal Aircraft Factory Ground-attack fighter developed from the N.E.1. Armoured nacelle and twin forward-firing Lewis guns. Thee built. Type: A.E.3 Function: attack Year: 1918 Crew: 2 Engines: 1* 200hp Hispano Speed: 153km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 3*mg7.7mm AFB-1, Austin-Ball Fighter developed in cooperation with the ace Albert Ball. It was a good fighter, but was not accepted for production because the Camel and SE5a were already available. One of the guns fired through the propeller shaft. One built. Type: AFB-1 Function: fighter Year: 1916 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 145kW Hispano-Suiza Speed: 222km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Airacobra, Bell The Bell P-39 Airacobra in British service. Air Horse, Cierva W-11 Largest helicopter in the world when it first flew. It had three rotors, two on its left and one on it right side. One built. Type: Air Horse Function: transport Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 1620hp R.R. Merlin 24 Speed: 110mph Ceiling: Range: 330mls Load: 24 seats, 3755lb Albacore, Fairey To replace the obsolete Swordfish biplane the RN ordered another biplane, the Albacore. The Albacore had refinements as an enclosed cockpit and better streamlining; but it was obsolete when it entered service and lacked the qualities that had made the Swordfish succesful. It was retired before the Swordfish. 800 built. Type: Albacore Function: torpedo bomber Year: 1940 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 843kW Bristol Taurus XII Wing Span: 15.24m Length: 12.14m Height: 4.32m Wing Area: 57.88m2 Empty Weight: 3289kg Max.Weight: 4745kg Speed: 256km/h Ceiling: 6310m Range: 1500km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm, 730kg Albemarle, Armstrong Whitworth Designed as a light bomber built from non-strategic materials, i.e. wood and steel instead of aluminium alloys, and suitable for construction in dispersed factories. It was a clean aircraft with a tricycle undercarriage. Performance was mediocre, and it was used mainly as glider tug and transport. 602 built. Type: Albemarle Mk. I Function: bomber Year: 1941 Crew: 6 Engines: 2 * 1590hp Bristol Hercules XI Speed: 426km/h Ceiling: 5500m Range: 2160km Armament: 6*mg7.7mm Alcock A.1 Scout Single-seat fighter biplane designed by John Alcock, better known as the pilot of the first transatlantic flight in 1919. Aldershot, Avro Single-engined 'heavy' bomber. Its service was brief and limited; only a few were built due to financial constraints and a change of policy. Type: Aldershot III Function: bomber Year: Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 650hp R.R. Condor III Speed: 110mph Ceiling: 14500ft Range: 625mls Armament: 3*mg7.7mm b2000lb. Amiens, Airco DH10 See DH10. Andover, Avro Transport version of the Aldershot. Andover, BAe / Hawker Siddeley The Andover was the HS.748 twin-turboprop transport in military service. The HS.748 was also used by a number of other military forces. 382 built. Type: H.S. 748 srs 2B Function: transport Year: 1979 Crew: 2/3 Engines: 2 * 1700kW R.R. Dart Mk.555 Wing Span: 31.23m Length: 20.42m Height: 7.57m Wing Area: 77m2 Empty Weight: 11644kg Max. Weight: 23133kg Speed: 452km/h Ceiling: 7620m Range: 2485km Load: 60 seats Anson, Avro 652 Low-wing twin engined monoplane. First used by Coastal Command as a recce aircraft, later used on a large scale as trainer. 'Faithful Annie' was finally withdrawn from RAF service in May 1968! 11022 built. Type: Anson Mk. I Function: trainer Year: 1936 Crew: 4 Engines: 2 * 320hp Armstrong Siddelay Cheetah IX Speed: 303km/h Ceiling: 5950m Range: 1270km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 163kg Antelope, Avro Light day bomber. No production. Ara, Armstrong-Whitworth Single-seat fighter, too late for WWI and equipped with the unreliable ABC Dragonfly. Type: Ara Function: fighter Year: 1919 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 320hp A.B.C. Dragonfly Speed: 150mph Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Argosy, Hawker Siddeley Type: Argosy C Mk.1 Function: transport Year: 1961 Crew: 4 Engines: 4 * 1820kW R.R. Dart RDa.8 Mk 101 Speed: Ceiling: 5500m Range: 5230km Load: 13150kg, 69seats Argus, Fairchild Fairchild model 24, a high-wing liaison monoplane, known to the USAAF as UC-61 or UC-68. Type: 24-G Function: transport Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 108kW Warner Scarab 50 Wing Span: 11.07m Length: 7.26m Height: 2.24m Wing Area: 16.09m2 Empty Weight: 669kg Max.Weight: 1089kg Speed: 209km/h Ceiling: 5030m Range: 764km Load: 2-3 seats Armadillo, Armstrong-Whitworth Single-seat fighter. The deep, rectanguar fuselage filled the gap between the wings; a rectangular fairing over the top of the engine cowling covered the guns. Type: Armadillo Function: fighter Year: 1918 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 220hp Bentley BR2 Speed: 140mph Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm AS.31, Gloster Multi-purpose development of the DH67. Two 525 hp Bristol Jupiter IX engines. Two built. A.S. 45, Oxford Low-wing monoplane trainer. Two built. Type: A.S. 45 Function: trainer Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * Bristol Mercury VII Speed: 365km/h Ceiling: 7565m Range: 1090km Ashton, Avro A jet bomber derived from a piston-engined aircraft. Athena, Avro 701 Two-seat trainer. The original design used a Mamba turboprop, but this was later replaced by the more proven R.R. Merlin. Only 24 built, because the RAF preferred the Balliol. Type: Athena T.2 Function: trainer Year: 1949 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 945kW R.R. Merlin 35 Speed: 472km/h Ceiling: 8840m Range: 885km Armament: 4*r27kg Atlas, Armstrong Whitworth Army co-operation and trainer biplane. Unimpressive, but reliable. It was also the standard trainer of the RAF for soem time. About 440 built. Type: Atlas Function: reconaissance Year: 1927 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 330kW Armstrong Whitworth Jaguar IVC Speed: 229km/h Ceiling: 5120m Range: 770km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 137kg Attacker, Supermarine This jet fighter used the wing of the Spiteful piston-engined fighter with a new fuselage. The tailwheel undercarriage was not very fit for a jet aircraft. The performance was insufficient to attract RAF interest, but the RN used 145 of them and 36 were sold to Pakistan. Type: Attacker F Mk.1 Function: fighter Year: 1950 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 21.25kN R.R. Nene 3 Wing Span: 11.25m Length: 11.43m Height: 3.02m Wing Area: 21.03m2 Empty Weight: 4495kg Max.Weight: 7870kg Speed: 949km/h Ceiling: 13715m Range: 1915km Armament: 4*g20mm Audax, Hawker Variant of the Hart for the Army co-operation role. The RAF bought 624. The Audaxes sold to the Iraqi Army had radial engines. Type: Audax I Function: observation / bomber Year: 1932 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 395kW R.R. Kestrel IB Wing Span: 11.35m Length: 9.02m Height: 3.17m Wing Area: 32.33m2 Empty Weight: 1333kg Max.Weight: 1989kg Speed: 272km/h Ceiling: 6555m Range: 845km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Auster, Taylorcraft The Auster -- of American origin -- was a high-wing monoplane, the standard liaison and observation aircraft of the British forces during WWII. The pilots were artillery officers, but the aircraft were operated by the RAF until 1957. The Auster was in service until 1964, then was replaced by light helicopters. 2044 built. Type: Auster Mk. IV Function: observation Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 95kW Lycoming O-290-3 Speed: 210km/h Ceiling: 4500m Range: 480km Armament: Avenger, Avro 566 and 567 Elegantly streamlined fighter biplane. One built. Type: Avenger I Function: fighter Year: 1926 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 525hp Napier Lion Speed: 209km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Avenger, Grumman The U.S. TBF Avenger torpedo-bomber. Type: TBF-1C Function: torpedo bomber Year: 1943 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 1700hp Wright R-2600-8 Speed: 414km/h Ceiling: 6525m Range: 2236km Armament: 3*mg12.7mm 1*mg7.62mm b906kg Avocet, Avro 584 All-metal shipboard fighter biplane. Two built. Type: Avocet Function: fighter Year: 1927 Crew: 1 Engines: Speed: 214km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Avro 500 Development of the Avro E. 21 built. Type: 500 Function: Year: 1912 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 33kW Gnome Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Avro 501 Two-seat biplane. One built. 1 * 75kW Gnome engine. Avro 503 Two-seat biplane. Four built. 1 * 75kW Gnome engine. Avro 504 Standard RAF biplane trainer of WWI. The British equivalent of the Curtiss JN. 8340 built, with the production continuing until 1933. Also used briefly as fighter and bomber, and postwar by air shows. The 504 was also built in Belgium, Australia, Japan, Canada and the USSR. Type: 504K Function: trainer Year: 1916 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 110hp Le Rhone Wing Span: 10.97m Length: 8.97m Height: 3.17m Wing Area: 30.66m2 Empty Weight: 558kg Max.Weight: 830kg Speed: 153km/h Ceiling: 4875m Range: 402km Avro 521 Two-seat fighter, built with a number of Avro 504 components. One built. Type: 521 Function: fighter Year: 1916 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 110hp Clerget 9Z Speed: 145km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Avro 523 Pike See Pike. Avro 527 Fighter derivative of the Avro 504. One built. Type: 527 Function: fighter Year: 1916 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 150hp Sunbeam Nubian Speed: 166km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 1*mg7.7mm Avro 529 Twin-engined bomber of 1917. No production. Avro 530 Two-seat fighter. The 530 had a deep rectangular fuselage, and a ducted propeller for the cooling system. No production. Type: 530 Function: fighter Year: 1917 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 200hp Hispano-Suiza 8Bd Speed: 183km/h Ceiling: 18000ft Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Avro 531 Spider See Spider. Avro 566 Avenger See Avenger. Avro 567 Avenger See Avenger. Avro 584 Avocet See Avocet. Avro 626 Single-engined biplane. Avro 707 Delta wing test aircraft. The 707 was a little jet with a dorsal intake that provided aerodynamic data for the Vulcan bomber. Five built. Type: 707A Function: experimental Year: 1951 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 1587kg R.R. Derwent 5 Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Avro 720 Design for a rocket-propelled point defence fighter, competing with the SR.53. Cancelled. Avro 730 Design for a long-range, high-altitude supersonic reconaissance aircraft. The Avro 730 was yet another victim of the 1957 White Paper; the unfinished prototype was scrapped. Type: Avro 730 Function: reconaissance / bomber Year: 1955 Crew: Engines: ? * 14430lb Rolls-Royce RA.24R Wing Span: Length: Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Avro E Two-seat biplane Type: E Function: Year: 1912 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 45kW E.N.V. Speed: 80km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Avro G Two-seat biplane with enclosed cockpit. Type: G Function: Year: 1912 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 45kW Green Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: A.W.52, Armstrong Whitworth Tailles research aircraft, a swept-wing design with fins on the wingtips. Two built. Type: A.W.52 Function: experimental Year: 1947 Crew: Engines: 2 * 2271kg R.R. Nene Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: --B-------------------------------------------------------------------------- B.4, Auster Utility transport. The B.4 was a high-wing monoplane with a bulky, rectangular fuselage, ending in loading doors with a tail boom above them. Type: B.4 Function: utility Year: Crew: Engines: 1 * Cirrus Bombardier 702? Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: B19/27, Vickers Twin-engined biplane bomber. Fuselage fo rectangular cross-section, biplane tail. B.20, Blackburn Experimental flying boat. The B.20 tried to make water clearance and take-off wing incidence more compatible with streamlining, by making the planing bottom retractable. The stablilising floats were also retractable. The B.20 was powered by the unreliable R.R. Vulture engine, a failure of which may have caused the crashing of the prototype. One built. Type: B.20 Function: experimental Year: 1940 Crew: 6 Engines: 2 * 1720hp R.R Vulture II Speed: 490km/h Ceiling: Range: 2400km Armament: B-54, Blackburn The Blackburn B-54 was designed as a two-seat carrier-borne ASW aircraft. It had an inverted gull wing, a strongly dihedralled tailplane, a large internal bomb bay and a retractable belly radar radome. The Napier Double Naiad turboprop engine was not available, so the two B-54s built had the R.R. Griffon engine. The operational version would have been the turboprop- engined B-88. Type: B-54 Function: ASW Year: 1949 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 1491kW R.R. Griffon Wing Span: Length: Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: B-88, Blackburn The B-88 was a development of the B-54 with a Doube Mamba turboprop engine. The Fairey Gannet was selected for production; the single B-88 built was used for engine development. Type: B-88 Function: ASW Year: 1950 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 2200kW Armstrong Siddeley Double Mamba Wing Span: 13.46m Length: 13m Height: 5.11m Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: 5938kg Speed: 515km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Baboon, BAT F.K.24 An angular biplane, designed with easy production in mind. One built. Type: Baboon Function: trainer Year: 1919 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 15kW A.B.C. Wasp Speed: 160km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Baby, Sopwith Float biplane, development of the Schneider. The Baby was armed with one synchronized gun, two overwing guns, Le Prieur rockets, or explosive darts. 286 built. Type: Baby Function: reconaissance Year: 1917 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 130hp Clerget Speed: 138km/h Ceiling: 2315m Range: Armament: 1*mg7.7mm Baby, Supermarine A small shipboard flying-boat. Type: Baby Function: 1 * 150hp Hispano-Suiza Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 150hp Hispano-Suiza Speed: 117mph Ceiling: Range: Armament: B.A.C. 221 Modified Fairey Delta II to test the delta wing of the Concorde. Badger, Bristol Development of the F2. Two built, one with the ABC Dragonfly engine and one with a Cosmos Jupiter. 1919. BAe 125, British Aerospace / Hawker Siddeley / De Havilland Former HS.125 or DH.125, a twin-jet business aircraft. The RAF used some as Dominie T. Mk.1 navigation trainers. Some BAe 125s are in service as VIP transports too. Type: BAe 125 srs 700 Function: transport Year: Crew: 2/3 Engines: 2 * 16.4kN Garrett AIResearch TFE731-3-1H Wing Span: 14.33m Length: 15.46m Height: 5.36m Wing Area: 32.79m2 Empty Weight: 5826kg Max.Weight: 11567kg Speed: 808km/h Ceiling: 12495m Range: 4315km Armament: 9/14 seats BAe 146, BAe The BAe four-turbofan airliner, a small aircraft designed for quiet operation and small airfields. Three are in service with the Queen's Flight. Type: BAe 146 srs 200 Function: transport Year: 1983 Crew: 2/3 Engines: 4 * 31kN Textron Lycoming ALF502R-5 Speed: 767km/h Ceiling: 11580m Range: 2910km Load: up to 112 seats BAe 748 See Andover Baffin, Blackburn B-5 Development of the Ripon with a radial engine, inspired by the Finnish use of radial engines on Ripons. 99 built, of which 60 converted Baffins. Its service life was short because of the obsoleteness of the airframe; but New-Zealand use some until 1941. Type: Baffin Function: torpedo bomber Year: 1934 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 415kW Bristol Pegasus I M.3 Wing Span: 13.88m Length: 11.68m Height: Wing Area: 63.45m2 Empty Weight: 1444kg Max.Weight: 3452kg Speed: 219km/h Ceiling: 4570m Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 907kg Bagshot, Bristol Heavy fighter. 1927. Balliol, Boulton Paul Advanced trainer. The Balliol T.1 was the world's first aircraft with only turboprop power. The Air Ministry changed its mind however, and the Balliol was first built with a R.R. Merlin piston engine and then cancelled. 162 built. Type: Balliol T.2 Function: trainer Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 928kW R.R. Merlin 35 Wing Span: 11.99m Length: 10.71m Height: 3.81m Wing Area: 23.23m2 Empty Weight: 3403kg Max.Weight: 3815kg Speed: 463km/h Ceiling: 9905m Range: 1062km Armament: 1*mg7.7mm 4*r27kg Baltimore, Martin U.S. bomber, known to the USAF as the A-30, but never used by the U.S. forces. It was a develomment of the A-22 Maryland with a deeper fuselage. Type: Baltimore Mk.III Function: bomber Year: 1941 Crew: 4 Engines: 2 * 1660hp Wright R-2600-19 Speed: 302mph Ceiling: 7315m Range: Armament: 8*mg7.7mm 907kg Bantam, BAT F.K.22 and F.K.23 Late WWI fighter prototype. The Bantam was designed around the ABC Mosquito engine, but later changed to accept the no more reliable ABC Wasp. The upper wing was fitted directly on top of the monococque fuselage, with the head of the pilot appearing through a circular hole in the upper wing. 10 built. Type: F.K.23 Bantam I Function: fighter Year: 1918 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 125kW A.B.C. Wasp I Speed: 206km/h Ceiling: 6100m Range: 2h 30m Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Barracuda, Fairey The first monoplane torpedo bomber of the RN. It was said that the Barracuda was designed by a comittee and built in a madhouse. In fact, it was not that bad an aircraft, but early versions were grossly underpowered, and it was certainly ugly. 2572 built. Type: Barracuda Mk. II Function: torpedo bomber Year: 1943 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 1223kW R.R. Merlin 32 Wing Span: 14.99m Length: 12.12m Height: 4.60m Wing Area: 34.09m2 Empty Weight: 4241kg Max.Weight: 6400kg Speed: 367km/h Ceiling: 5060m Range: 1101km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 744kg Basilisk, BAT F.K.25 WWI fighter prototype, too late for WWI. Two built. Type: Basilisk Function: fighter Year: 1919 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 235kW A.B.C. Dragonfly Speed: 229km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Basset, Beagle Type: Basset CC Mk. 1 Function: utility Year: 1964 Crew: 1 Engines: 2 * 228kW R.R. Continental GIO-470-A Speed: 338km/h Ceiling: 5335m Range: 820km Armament: 6 seats Battle, Fairey Elegant single-engined monoplane bomber. The Battle was too big an aircraft to be powered by a single R.R. Merlin engine, and in May 1940 it was quickly demonstrated to be woefully vulnerable. The concept of this single-engined bomber was outdated. After 1940 only used as trainer and target tug. 2419 built. Type: Battle Mk.I Function: bomber Year: 1937 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 768kW R.R. Merlin I Wing Span: 16.46m Length: 12.90m Height: 4.72m Wing Area: 39.20m2 Empty Weight: 3015kg Max.Weight: 4895kg Speed: 414km/h Ceiling: 7620m Range: 1690km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 454kg Baynes Carrier Wing Project for a flying wing, to be attached to a medium tank or similar vehicle. A 1/3 scale aerodynamical prototype flew in 1943, but the project did not proceed any further. B.E.1, Royal Aircraft Factory Biplane trainer. B.E.2, Royal Aircraft Factory A stable reconaissance biplane. The B.E.2 was a good aircraft in 1914; in 1915 it was outdated. The observer/gunner sat in the front cockpit, a completely impractical arrangement in a tractor biplane. 3535 built. Some B.E.2 were modified into single-seat fighters, and achieved succes against German airship attacks. Type: B.E.2c Function: reconaissance Year: 1914 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 65kW R.A.F. Speed: 116km/h Ceiling: 3050m Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 102kg B.E.8, Royal Aircraft Factory Biplane bomber, soon assigned to training duties. 60 built. Type: B.E.8 Function: bomber Year: 1914 Crew: Engines: 1 * 60kW Gnome Speed: 113km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: B.E.9, Royal Aircraft Factory The B.E.9 was a two-seat fighter, built before the introduction of interrupter gear. The B.E.9 was a tractor biplane, with a short nacelle fitted directly in front of the propeller, for the gunner. This position was dangerous for the gunner and excluded any communication between gunner and pilot. It should be noted, as an excuse, that the R.A.F. was not alone in pursuing this ridiculous idea; similar aircraft were built in France and even flown into combat. Prototype only. Type: B.E.9 Function: fighter Year: 1915 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 90hp R.A.F Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: B.E.12, Royal Aircraft Factory Single-seat fighter, whitdrawn after only a month of first-line service, and eventually used as bomber because of its low performance. Development of the B.E.2. 468 built. Type: B.E.12 Function: fighter Year: 1916 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 150hp R.A.F Speed: 164km/h Ceiling: 3800m Range: Armament: 1*mg7.7mm Beagle, Blackburn B.T.1 Single-engined biplane, intended as torpedo bomber and reconaissance aircraft. Did not statisfy requirements. One built. Beaufighter, Bristol Twin-engined fighter and attack aircraft, using wings and tail of the Beaufort. It had good performance and the ability to lift radar equipment and a heavy weapons load, but was not easy to fly. Assymetric thrust in case of an engine failure was a problem, and later models had safety speed as high as 320km/h. In first-line service until 1950. 5918 built. Type: Beaufighter TF Mk. X Function: attack Year: 1943 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 1770hp Bristol Hercules XVII Wing Span: Length: Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: 7076kg Max.Weight: 11431kg Speed: 515km/h Ceiling: 5795m Range: 2365km Armament: 4*g20mm 1-7*mg7.7mm 2000lbs Beaufort, Bristol Twin-engined torpedo bomber, based on Blenheim experience. Standard torpedo bomber from 1940 until 1943. 2080 built. Type: Beafort Mk. I Function: torpedo aircraft Year: 1940 Crew: 4 Engines: 2 * 830kW Bristol Taurus VI Wing Span: 17.63m Length: 13.59m Height: 3.78m Wing Area: 46.73m Empty Weight: 5945kg Max.Weight: 9630kg Speed: 426km/h Ceiling: 5030m Range: 2575km Armament: 4*mg7.7mm 728kg Beaver, Bristol Multi-purpose biplane, 1926. Belfast, Short Large four-engined transport. Type: Belfast C.1 Function: transport Year: 1966 Crew: Engines: 4 * 4220kW R.R. Tyne RTy-12 Speed: 499km/h Ceiling: 9150m Range: 8530km Load: 35480kg, 150 seats Belvedere, Bristol 192 Tandem rotor helicopter. Originally designed around the power arrangment of the Sycamore, with Alvis Leonides radial engines; later Gazelle turbioshafts were adopted, and a small series of tactical transport helicopters were built. 31 built. Type: Belvedere HC.1 Function: transport Year: 1951 Crew: Engines: 2 * 1092kW Napier N.Ga.2 Gazelle Rotor Span: 14.91m Length: 27.36m Height: 5.26m Disc Area: 349.30m2 Empty Weight: 5277kg Max.Weight: 9072kg Speed: 222km/h Ceiling: 5275m Range: 750km Armament: Berkeley, Bristol Torpedo bomber. Bermuda, Brewster Name given to the Brewster SB2A Buccaneer in RAF service. Beverley, Blackburn Big military transport aircraft. The Beverley had a large box-like fuselage, with the tail carried on a boom-like extension. This allowed large doors under the tail. Large freight could be carried in the main fuselage, while room in the 'tail boom' was available for passengers. The landing gear was fixed, and twin rectangular tailfins of considerable size completed this purposeful uglyness. 49 built. Type: Beverley C.1 Function: transport Year: 1955 Crew: 4 Engines: 4 * 2850hp Bristol Centaurus 273 Speed: 383km/h Ceiling: 4880m Range: 2090km Load: 20412kg, 94 seats Bisley, Bristol Two-seat attack fighter development of the Blenheim. Also known as Blenheim Mk.V. Bison, Avro 555 Contemporary of the 'Blackburn Blackburn' with a similar configuration, except that the observers' cabin had big rectangular windows instead of portholes. Type: Bison Function: reconaissance Year: 1925 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 355kW napier Lion II Speed: 177km/h Ceiling: 4250m Range: 550km Armament: 1*mg7.7mm Bittern, Boulton-Paul A twin-engined, shoulder-wing monoplane with open cockpit and fixed landing gear, designed as nightfighter. Performance was poor. Two built. Type: Bittern Function: fighter Year: 1924 Crew: 1 Engines: 2 * 172kW Armstrong Siddeley Lynx Wing Span: 12.50m Length: 9.75m Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: 2041kg Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Blacburd, Blackburn Remarkably ugly biplane-torpedo bomber. For easy of prodcution, almsot every part of the Blackburd was rectangular. The fuselage was a constant section rectangular box, sharply tapering at the tail. The Blackburd could drop its main wheels and land on skids, on the water or a carrier deck. The wheels had to be dropped to launch a torpedo. Three built. Type: Blackburd Function: torpedo bomber Year: Crew: Engines: 1 * 260kW R.R. Eagle VIII Speed: 153km/h Ceiling: 3600m Range: Armament: Blackburn, Blackburn A shipboard observation aircraft. The fuselage was very deep and bulky, because a cabin, with four portholes (!), for the observer was fitted below the pilot's seat. 62 built. In early aircraft, the wing was on top of the fuselage, later it was raised to give a better view. Type: Blackburn Function: reconaissance Year: 1925 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 335kW Napier Lion IIB Speed: 196km/h Ceiling: 4725m Range: Armament: Blenheim, Bristol Development of the model 142 civil transport, that was faster than the R.A.F. fighters when it appeared. Much used during the first years of WWII. The Blenheim was used as bomber, nightfighter, reconaissance aircraft and close-support aircraft. The Blenheim was very vulnerable to enemy fighters. 4422 built. Type: Blenheim Mk.I Function: bomber Year: 1937 Crew: 3 Engines: 2 * 618kW Bristol Mercury VIII Wing Span: Length: Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: Speed: 418km/h Ceiling: 8300m Range: 1755km Armament: Bloodhound, Bristol Two-seat fighter-reconaissance biplane. Four built, one with a turbo-charged Bristol Orion engine and three with Jupiters. B.N.1, Nieuport Fighter designed by the British Nieuport company, a branch of the well-known French aircraft manufacturer. A biplane fighter. Three were built, but only one flown. Type: B.N.1 Function: fighter Year: 1918 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * Bentley BR.2 Speed: 204km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 3*mg7.7mm Bobolink, Boulton-Paul Biplane fighter, the first aircraft designed by Boulton & Paul. The Bobolink was a two-bay biplane with N struts; the pilot could drop the fuel tanks in an emergency. The Sopwith Snipe was preferred. One built. Type: Bobolink Function: fighter Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 172kW Bentley B.R.2 Wing Span: 8.84m Length: 6.10m Height: 2.54m Wing Area: 24.71m2 Empty Weight: 557kg Max.Weight: 904kg Speed: 201km/h Ceiling: 5945m Endurance: 3h 15m Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Bollingbroke, Bristol Development of the Blenheim with a longer nose. Later the name was adopted for all Blenheims built in Canada. Bolton, Boulton-Paul P.15 Developed as a steel-framed version of the Bourges, but also incorporated some other changes. No production. Type: Bolton Function: reconaissance-bomber Year: 1922 Crew: Engines: 2 * Napier Lion Wing Span: Length: Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Bombay, Bristol High-wing monoplane bomber with fixed landing gear, entered service in September 1939. Used as transport during WWII. Around 50 built. Type: Bombay Function: bomber / transport Year: 1935 Crew: 3 Engines: 2 * 753kW Bristol Pegasus XXII Wing Span: 29.18m Length: 21.11m Height: 5.94m Wing Area: 124.49m2 Empty Weight: 6260kg Max.Weight: 9072kg Speed: 310km/h Ceiling: 7620m Range: 3590km Armament: 907kg 2*mg7.7mm Load: 24 seats Boston, Douglas RAF designation for the US A-20 light bomber. Type: Boston Mk.III Function: bomber Year: 1942 Crew: 4 Engines: 2 * 1600hp Wright GR-2600-A5B Speed: 490km/h Ceiling: 7400m Range: 1650km Armament: 8*mg 905kg Botha, Blackburn B-26 Reconaissance bomber and torpedo aircraft, a twin-engined shoulder-wing aircraft. The Botha was grossly underpowered and had a bad safety record. Its operational career was only five months; but it was used as trainer until 1944, despite a bad reputation. 580 built. Type: Botha Mk. I Function: reconaissance / bomber Year: 1940 Crew: 4 Engines: 2 * 694kW Bristol Perseus X Wing Span: 17.98m Length: 15.58m Height: 4.46m Wing Area: 48.12m2 Empty Weight: 5366kg Max.Weight: 8369kg Speed: 401km/h Ceiling: 5335m Range: 2044km Armament: 3*mg7.7mm 907kg Bourges, Boulton-Paul P.7 Biplane fighter-bomber, a small twin-engined aircraft. Only three were built, all with different engines. Type: Bourges Function: fighter-bomber Year: Crew: Engines: 2 * 320hp A.B.C. Dragonfly Speed: 124mph Ceiling: Range: Armament: Braemar, Bristol A massive four-engined triplane, intended to bomb Berlin. The end of WWI made the production of the Braemar unnecessary. Type: Braemar I Function: bomber Year: 1918 Crew: Engines: 4 * 230hp Siddeley Puma Speed: 170km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Brandon, Bristol One built, an ambulance aircraft developed from the civil Ten-Seater transport. 1925. Brigand, Bristol Long-range attack aircraft and torpedo bomber, destined to replace the Beaufighter. Used wings and tail of the Buckingham. Small production series after WWII (156 built) and exclusively used in the british colonies. The last piston-engined bomber of the RAF. Type: Brigand B. Mk I Function: attack Year: 1949 Crew: 3 Engines: 2 * 2470hp Bristol Centaurus 57 Wing Span: 22.05m Length: 14.15m Height: Wing Area: 66.70m2 Empty Weight: 11611kg Max.Weight: 17690kg Speed: 576km/h Ceiling: 7930m Range: 4506km Armament: 4*g20mm, 1360kg Bristol 101 Two-seat fighter. One built. 1928. Bristol 118 Two-seat utility biplane. 1931. Bristol 123 Rather ugly biplane fighter, powered by the disastrous steam-cooled R.R. Goshawk engine. One built. Type: 123 Function: fighter Year: 1934 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * R.R. Goshawk III Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: 4*mg7.7mm Bristol 133 Monoplane fighter. The ugly 133 had an inverted gull wing with large fairings for the retractable undercarriage, the first one in a British fighter. It showed promise but the prototype was lost by accident. One built. Type: 133 Function: fighter Year: 1934 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 620hp Bristol Mercury Speed: 418km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 4*mg7.7mm Bristol 138 High-altitude experimental monoplane. Height record of 164440m. One built. Type: 138 Function: experimental Year: 1936 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 370kW Bristol Pegasus PE.65 Speed: 198km/h Ceiling: Range: Bristol 146 Clean low-wing monoplane fighter. The superior Hurricane was already in service. One built. Type: 146 Function: fighter Year: 1938 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * Bristol Mercury IX Speed: 462km/h Ceiling: 11600m Range: Armament: 8*mg7.7mm Bristol 150 Design for a twin-engined three-seat torpedo bomber. Enlarged to become the type 152 Beaufort. Bristol 172 Design for a high-speed bomber with four jet engines, 1946. Cancelled. Bristol 174 Reduced-scale research aircraft for the model 172. Cancelled. Bristol 176 Reduced-scale research aircraft for the model 172. Cancelled. Bristol 182 The Bristol 182R was designed for the 'Blue Rapier' project that asked for an unmanned, catapult-launched bomber. The project was cancelled while the two prototypes were under construction. Type: 182R Function: jet bomber, unmanned Year: 1951 Crew: 0 Engines: 2 * 3500lb Bristol BE.22 Wing Span: Length: Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: Speed: 600mph Ceiling: Range: 400mls Armament: 5000lb Bristol 188 The Bristol 188 was designed as a research aircraft for the Avro 730 programme (itself cancelled). It had a very narrow fuselage, two enormous jet engines, a T-tail and a small, thin wing; it was constructed of stainless steel. Engine problems and extremely high fuel consumption made the 188 unsuitable for its research role; it was incapable of reaching Mach 2, and certainly could not maintain this speed for a considerable time! The programme was abandoned after only 50 hours of flying. Two built. Type: 188 Function: experimental Year: 1961 Crew: 1 Engines: 2 * 6350kg De Havilland Gyron Junior DGJ.10R Wing Span: 35ft 1in Length: 77ft 8in Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: B.S.1, de Havilland A neat reconaissance biplane. One built. Type: B.S.1 Function: reconaissance Year: 1913 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 75kW Gnome Speed: 147km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Buccaneer, Blackburn / Hawker Siddeley Low-altitude attack aircraft of extremely strong construction, originally designed for the RN but later, after all carriers were retired, used by the RAF. It is intended to keep them in service into the mid-90's; its longevity is due to its high subsonic speed at low altitude. The Buccaneer is a mid-wing aircraft; its appearance is determined by an area-ruled fuselage, circular engine bays flanking the fuselage, and a bulged rotating bomb bay door. Type: Buccaneer S.2B Function: attack Year: 1965 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 5105kg R.R. RB.168 Spey Mk.101 Wing Span: 13.41m Length: 19.33m Height: 4.97m Wing Area: 47.82m2 Empty Weight: 13608kg Max.Weight: 28123kg Speed: M0.92 Ceiling: 12190m Range: 6440km Armament: 7260kg Buckingham, Bristol Designed as a fast, light twin-engined bomber. Delivery was delayed because the engines were unavailable. Handling was poor, and performance unimpressive. The operational need for them had disappeared when they were delivered. The Buckingham was mainly used as fast transport. 123 built. Type: Buckingham B Mk.I Function: bomber Year: 1944 Crew: 4 Engines: 2 * 1880kW Bristol Centaurus VII Wing Span: 21.89m Length: 14.27m Height: 5.33m Wing Area: 65.77m2 Empty Weight: 10905kg Max.Weight: 17259kg Speed: 531km/h Ceiling: 7620m Range: 5118km Armament: 10*mg7.7mm 1814kg Buckmaster, Bristol Trainer version of the Buckingham. Gun turret eliminated, and some changes to the fuselage. Type: Buckmaster Function: trainer Year: 1945 Crew: Engines: 2 * 2585hp Bristol Centaurus 57 Speed: 563km:h Ceiling: 9150m Range: Armament: 4*g20mm 1*mg12.7mm Buffalo, Sopwith Two-seat army-Cooperation aircraft. 1918. Bugle, Boulton-Paul Twin-engined biplane, a development of the Bolton / Bourges series. Seven built. Type: Bugle Mk.I Function: bomber-reconaissance Year: 1923 Crew: Engines: 2 * 400hp Bristol Jupiter Wing Span: Length: Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Bull, Blackburn Trainer. Two built. Bulldog, Bristol Biplane fighter. The Bulldog didn't have a good performance; it was slower than the Hart light bomber. But the RAF didn't have the money to buy and maintain more high-performance fighters; a Bulldog cost 4600 pounds and a Hawker Fury 5400; in the early 30s most RAF fighters were Bulldogs. Type: Bulldog IIA Function: fighter Year: 1930 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 360kW Bristol Jupiter VIIF Wing Span: 10.34m Length: 7.62m Height: 3.00m Wing Area: 28.47m2 Empty Weight: 998kg Max.Weight: 1583kg Speed: 280km/h Ceiling: 8230m Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 4*b9kg Bulldog, BAe / Scottish Aviation / Beagle Two-seat monoplane trainer. The Bulddog was first ordered by Sweden; later it was also ordered by the RAF. About 300 built. Type: Bulldog T Mk.1 Function: trainer Year: 1973 Crew: 2-3 Engines: 1 * 150kW Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 Wing Span: 10.06m Length: 7.09m Height: 2.28m Wing Area: 12.02m2 Empty Weight: Max.Weight: Speed: 241km/h Ceiling: 4875m Range: 1000km Armament: 290kg Bulldog, Sopwith Two-seat fighter biplane. Performance was inadequate. Two built. Type: Bulldog Function: fighter Year: 1917 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 200hp Clerget 11Eb Speed: 175km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 4*mg7.7mm Bullet, Vickers FB19 Mediocre biplane fighter, built in small numbers. Type: Bullet Function: fighter Year: 1916 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 110hp Le Rhone Speed: 98mph Ceiling: 10000ft Range: Armament: 1*mg7.7mm Bullfinch, Bristol Two-seat reconaissance aircraft of one-seat fighter. Three built. Bullpup, Bristol Basically a scaled-down Bulldog. One built. Type: Bullpup Function: fighter Year: 1928 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 335kW Bristol Mercury II Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Buzzard, Martinsyde F4 Biplane fighter, a large and powerful aircraft for its time. Never entered service. Development of the F.3. Type: Buzzard Function: fighter Year: 1918 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 305hp Hispano-Suiza 8F Speed: 145mph Ceiling: 7320m Range: 650km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm --C-------------------------------------------------------------------------- C, Franco-British Aviation Type: C Function: reconaissance Year: 1915 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 95kW Clerget Speed: 110km/h Ceiling: 3500m Range: 300km Armament: 1*mg7.7mm Calcutta, Short Three-engined biplane flying boat. Cambridge, Airspeed Low-wing monoplane trainer. Two built. Type: Cambridge Function: trainer Year: 1941 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 730pk Bristol Mercury VIII Speed: 381km/h Ceiling: 7560m Range: 1095km Camel, Sopwith A compact biplane fighter. The Camel was a very effective fighter but had, due to its large rotary engine and the concentrartion of all weight in the front fuselage, vicious handling characteristics. It scored more victories than any other fighter: 1294. 5490 built. Also employed as carrier aircraft, in the smaller 2F.1 version. The 2.F1 was also used a parasite fighter carried by airships. Type: Camel F.1 Function: fighter Year: 1917 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 95kW Clerget 9B Wing Span: 8.53m Length: 5.72m Height: 2.6m Wing Area: 21.34m2 Empty Weight: 421kg Max.Weight: 658kg Speed: 182km/h Ceiling: 5800m Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Campania, Fairey First aircraft designed for carrier use. Used until 1919. 62 built. Type: Campania Function: reconaissance Year: 1917 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 250kW R.R. Eagle VIII Speed: 129km/h Ceiling: 1675m Range: Armament: Canberra, English Electric Jet bomber. Some Canberras are still in service, mainly in training and electronic warfare roles. Production began in 1949 and continued until 1961; in the U.S. Martin built the aircraft as the B-57. The Canberra is an impeccably streamlined aircraft, with a straight mid-wing section inboard of the engines and tapered wings outboard. At the time of its introduction it was safe from interception by fighters. British production was 974. Type: Canberra B.2 Function: bomber Year: 1950 Crew: 3 Engines: 2 * 2948kg R.R. Avon 101 Wing Span: Length: Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: Speed: 917km/h Ceiling: 14630m Range: 4275km Armament: 2722kg Type: Canberra PR MK.9 Function: reconaissance Year: Crew: Engines: 2 * 5103kg R.R. RA 24 Avon Mk.206 Wing Span: 20.68m Length: 20.32m Height: 4.75m Wing Area: 97.08m2 Empty Weight: 13608kg Max.Weight: 26082kg Speed: 881km/h Ceiling: 17700m Range: 8170km Armament: Chesapeake, Vought This rather uninspiring name was assigned to a version of the SB2U dive bomber, originally ordered by France but transferred to Britain in October 1940. It was a monoplane of old-fashioned structure, underpowered and vulnerable, quickly relegated to training tasks only. Type: Chesapeake Mk.I Function: dive bomber Year: 1941 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 825hp P&W R-1535-SB4-G Speed: 402km/h Ceiling: 8075m Range: 2165km Armament: 5*mg7.62mm 3*b227kg Chinook, Boeing The Boeing C-47 Chinook tandem rotor medium transport helicopter. Chipmunk, de Havilland Canada Two-seat primary trainer, replacing the Tiger Moth. A clean two-seat monoplane witg fixed undercarriage. 1292 built. Type: Chipmunk Function: Year: 1946 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 108kW D.H. Gipsy Major 8 Speed: 222km/h Ceiling: 4877m Range: 480km Chitral, Handley Page Renamed as Clive. Clive, Handley Page Transport version of the Hinaidi/Hyderabad. Cloud, Saro Amphibian, used as trainer by the RAF. Type: Cloud Function: trainer Year: 1933 Crew: Engines: 2 * 253kW Armstrong Siddeley Double Mongoose Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Cobham, Sopwith Twin-engined fighter-reconaissance aircraft. Comet, de Havilland D.H.106 The RAF bought 10 Comet Mk.1 aircraft, transport versions of the airliner, modified with round windows after the accidents with the type. They were followed by eight Mk.2s and three aircraft with special electronic equipment. Commando, Westland The Commando is a transport development of the Sea King. Radar, ASW equipment, floats and rotor and tail folding systems were removed. Type: Commando Mk. 2 Function: transport Year: 1975 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 1238kW R.R. Gnome H.1400-1 Speed: 208km/h Ceiling: 3000m Range: 1230km Load: 28 seats, 3628kg Cork, Phoenix Biplane flying boat. Type: Cork Function: Year: Crew: 5 Engines: 2 * 360hp R.R. Eagle Speed: 106mph Ceiling: Range: Armament: 5*mg7.7mm b1040lb Cornell, Fairchild British designation for the U.S. PT-19 trainer. Corsair, Vought The F4U Corsair was used on carriers by the RN when the USN still considered the aircraft only fit for land-based service. The Mk.II with clipped wing tips was even used from small escort carriers! Type: Corsair Mk.II Function: fighter Year: 1943 Crew: Engines: 1 * 2000hp P&W R-2800-8 Speed: 631km/h Ceiling: 11310m Range: 2790km Armament: 6*mg12.7mm 2*b453kg COW Gun Fighter, Vickers Pusher biplane, fitted with an 1.5lb COW gun angled upward 55 degrees. Crane, Cessna The Cessna T-50 twin-engined low-wing monoplane, used as trainer by the RCAF. In US military service this aicraft was known as AT-8, AT-17, UC-78 or JRC. Cromarty, Short Biplane flying boat with two R.R. Condor pusher engines. 1921. The first Short-designed flying boat. Cuckoo, Sopwith T.1 Torpedo bomber. Too late for WWI, only a few embarked on the HMS Argus. 150 built. Type: Cuckoo Function: torpedo bomber Year: 1918 Crew: Engines: 1 * 145kW Sunbeam Arab Speed: 158km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 1*t450kg --D-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dakota, Douglas British name for the Douglas C-47. Of course the British name is far more famous than the official U.S. designation. Danecock, Hawker Version of the Woodcock, for Denmark. Dankok, Hawker Danecock license-built in Denmark. Twelve built, in service until 1937. Dantorp, Hawker Version of the Horsley for Denmark. Two built, licence production did not proceed. Dart, Blackburn Biplane torpedo bomber. The fuselage sloped sharply downwards to an engine with a trustline angled upward. The Dart was ugly, but efficient. Type: Dart Function: torpedo bomber Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 330kW Napier Lion V Speed: 177km/h Ceiling: 4500m Range: 410km Armament: 1*torpedo Dauntless, Douglas British name for the SBD Dauntless dive-bomber. Defender, Britten-Norman Military version of the Islander STOL-transport. Type: BN-2B Defender Function: utility Year: 1971 Crew: 1 Engines: 2 * 224kW Lycoming IO-540-K1B5 Speed: 283km/h Ceiling: 5240m Range: 2770km Load: 9 seats, msl, b, r, mg Defiant, Boulton Paul Two-seat fighter with the four-gun armament concentrated in a powered turret. The Defiant was a fine aircraft, but the concept was bad and the weight of the gun turret detoriated performance. After the initial succes heavy losses followed; it was then used as a night fighter for some time and later as a target tug. 1064 built. Type: Defiant Mk. II Function: fighter Year: 1940 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 954kW R.R. Merlin XX Wing Span: 11.99m Length: 10.77m Height: 3.45m Wing Area: 23.23m2 Empty Weight: 2849kg Max.Weight: 3821kg Speed: 504km/h Ceiling: 9250m Range: 748km Armament: 4*mg7.7mm Delta I, Fairey FD1 Experimental fighter, built in 1951. A small aircraft with a delta wing. One built. Delta II, Fairey FD2 Delta-winged research aircraft. Two built. Type: Delta II Function: experimental Year: 1954 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 4765kg R.R. Avon R.A.28 Speed: 1910km/h Ceiling: Range: 1340km Demon, Hawker Two-seat fighter development of the Hart -- an easy answer to the RAF requirement for a fighter capable of intercepting the Hart. 234 were built, and were in service until 1938. It was difficult for the gunner to aim his gun, due to the fast airstream, and his effectiveness was limited. Later many were equipped with partially enclosed gun 'turrets' of metal shields. Type: Demon Function: fighter Year: 1933 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 430kW R.R. Kestrel II Speed: 290km/h Ceiling: 7500m Range: 290km/h Armament: 3*mg7.7mm Derby, de Havilland DH27 Single-engined bomber biplane. Destroyer, Vickers EFB.1 See EFB.1 Devon, de Havilland D.H.104 Military version of the Dove transport. D.H.1, Airco Pusher-prop fighter. Most were used for the home defence. Around 100 built. Type: D.H.1 Function: fighter / reconaissance Year: 1915 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 90kW Beardmore Speed: 141km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: D.H.2, de Havilland WWI biplane fighter with a pusher engine. This arrangment provided a means to mount a fixed forward-firing gun before the advent of interrupt gear. The DH2 ended the 'Fokker scourge' because it had better performance than the Fokker E.III. Type: D.H.2 Function: fighter Year: 1915 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 100hp Gnome Monosoupape Speed: 1941 Ceiling: 4420m Range: 2h 45m Armament: 1*mg7.7mm D.H.3, Airco Three-seat long-range bomber with two pusher engines. Two built. Type: D.H.3 Function: bomber Year: 1915 Crew: 3 Engines: 2 * 120hp Beardmore Speed: 153km/h Ceiling: Range: 8h Armament: 2*mg7.7mm D.H.4, de Havilland Biplane bomber. The DH4 was fast, versatile and well-armed. After WWI many went on in civil service. 6295 built; of these 4846 were built in the U.S.. Type: D.H.4 Function: bomber Year: 1917 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 275kW R.R. Eagle Speed: 230km/h Ceiling: 6700m Range: 700km Armament: 2-4*mg7.7mm 209kg D.H.5, Airco Fighter biplane. The wings were backstaggered to give the pilot better visibility, but its performance at altitude wasn't good. Many used as trainers. About 550 built. Type: D.H.5 Function: fighter Year: 1917 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 80kW Le Rhone Speed: 160km/h Ceiling: 4900m Range: 2h 45m Armament: 1*mg7.7mm D.H.6, Airco The DH6 was designed as trainer but employed for maritime reconaissance and ASW, because the Avro 504 had been selected as standard trainer. Type: D.H.6 Function: trainer / reconaissance Year: 1917 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 65kW R.A.F. 1a Speed: 106km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: D.H.9, de Havilland Replacement for the DH4, with the cockpits brought close together to eliminate the communications problem of the D.H.4. The DH9 was unsuccesful due to its unreliable engine; the reengined DH9A was a worthy sucessor to the DH4. The 'Ninak' soldiered on until 1931. DH9's also pioneered many airlines. Type: D.H.9A Function: bomber/reconaissance Year: 1918 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 400hp Liberty 12 Speed: 123mph Ceiling: 17750ft Range: 5h 15m Armament: 2*mg7.7mm D.H.10 Amiens, de Havilland Twin-engined biplane bomber, a development of the DH3. Production aircraft had tractor engines. Too late for WWI; only 223 built. It was a relatively light and fast bomber. Type: D.H.10 Function: bomber Year: 1918 Crew: 4 Engines: 2 * 295kW Liberty 12 Speed: 200km/h Ceiling: 5180m Range: 965km Armament: 2-4*mg7.7mm b408kg D.H.67, de Havilland Photoreconaissance aircraft with two 480hp Jupiter VIII engines. D.H.72, de Havilland Three-engined night bomber. D.H.77, de Havilland Lightweight monoplane fighter first flown in 1929. One built. Type: D.H.77 Function: fighter Year: 1929 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 225kW Napier Rapier I Speed: 325km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: D.H.86, de Havilland Four engined development of the D.H.84 Dragon, built to requirement of the Australian governement. A number were operated by various military services. 62 built. Type: D.H.86B Function: transport / trainer Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 4 * 150kW D.H. Gipsy Six I Wing Span: 19.66m Length: 14.05m Height: 3.96m Wing Area: 59.55m2 Empty Weight: 2943kg Max.Weight: 4649kg Speed: 267km/h Ceiling: 5300m Range: 1300km D.H.87 Hornet Moth, de Havilland Cabin biplane. 165 built. Type: D.H.87B Function: liaison Year: 1935 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 95kW D.H. Gipsy Major I Wing Span: 9.73mm Length: 7.61m Height: 2.01m Wing Area: 20.44m2 Empty Weight: 563kg Max.Weight: 885kg Speed: 200km/h Ceiling: 4510m Range: 998km Digby, Douglas British name for the U.S. Boeing B-18 Bolo bomber. Dolphin, Sopwith 5F1 The Dolphin was very different form earlier Sopwith designs: it had backstagger on its biplane wings, and a liquid-cooled engine. It was armed with two Vickers and two Lewis guns, but the latter were often removed. If unpopularity was undeserved. 1532 built. Type: Dolphin I Function: fighter Year: 1918 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 200hp Hispano-Suiza 8E Speed: 206km/h Ceiling: 6400m Range: Armament: 2-4*mg7.7mm Dominie, de Havilland D.H.89 The Mk.I was a navigation trainer version of the Dragon Rapide. The Dominie Mk.II was a liaison aircraft. Type: Dominie Function: trainer Year: 1934 Crew: Engines: 2 * 150kW D.H. Gipsy Queen Speed: 250km/h Ceiling: 5100m Range: 920km Dominie, BAe Military trainer version of the BAe.125 (See there). 1964. Don, de Havilland Trainer monoplane, 30 built. Type: trainer / liaison Function: Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 385kW D.H. Gipsy King I Speed: 304km/h Ceiling: 7100m Range: 1400km Dormouse, De Havilland Two-seat reconaissance-fighter biplane. 1923. Dragon, Sopwith A development of the Snipe with an 340hp ABC Dragonfly engine. The RAF ordered 11000 Dragonfly engines, but had to cancel all of them when the engine proved to be a failure. The Dragon was one of the many victims. Around 200 built before production was halted, never assigned to active service. Type: Dragon Function: Year: 1919 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 360hp A.B.C. Dragonfly Ia Speed: 241km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Dragon, de Havilland D.H.86 This was the precursor of the D.H.86 and D.H.89; it did not have the pointed wingtips of these aircraft. A few were equipped with machineguns for 'policing' colonial areas. 202 built. Type: D.H.84 Dragon Function: attack / transport Year: 1933 Crew: Engines: 2 * 97kW D.H. Gipsy Major I Wing Span: 14.43m Length: 10.52m Height: 3.30m Wing Area: 34.93m2 Empty Weight: 1060kg Max.Weight: 2041kg Speed: 216km/h Ceiling: 4420m Range: 880km Load: 6-8 seats Dragonfly, de Havilland 67 built. A smaller verion of the Dragon Rapide. Type: Dragonfly Function: liaison Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 95kW D.H. Gipsy Major I Speed: 232km/h Ceiling: 5500m Range: 1500km Load: 3 seats Dragonfly, Westland British Sikorsky S-51 helicopter, licence-built by Westland. Dragon Rapide, de Havilland D.H.89 Elegant twin-engined biplane transport, in fact a smaller, twin-engined version of the D.H.86 to replace the original D.H.84 Dragon. 727 built. A number were used as trainers and light transports by the RAF. Type: Dragon Rapide Function: transport Year: 1934 Crew: 1 Engines: 2 * 200hp D.H. Gipsy Six Speed: 253km/h Ceiling: 5100m Range: 895km Load: 1040kg, 8 seats --E-------------------------------------------------------------------------- E1/44, Gloster Single-engined jet aircraft. Its performance did not justify production as a fighter. Three built. Type: E1/44 Function: experimental fighter Year: 1948 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * R.R. Nene Speed: 998km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: E28/39, Gloster A small low-wing monoplane, the first British jet aircraft. Two built. Type: E28/39 Function: experimental Year: 1941 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 798kg Power Jets W.2/500 Wing Span: 8.84m Length: 7.72m Height: 2.82m Wing Area: 13.61m2 Empty Weight: 1309kg Max.Weight: 1700kg Speed: 750km/h Ceiling: 9755m Range: Eagle, British Aircraft 42 built. Type: Eagle II Function: liaison Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 95kW D.H. Gipsy Major Speed: 238km/h Ceiling: 4800m Range: 1050km Armament: EAP, BAe Technology demonstrator for the EFA. Twin-engined canard delta. The British industry really wants to build the EFA; it would be the first indigeneous fighter since the Lightning. Type: EAP Function: experimental Year: 1986 Crew: 1 Engines: 2 * 7700kg Turbo-Union RB199-34R Mk 104D Speed: M2+ Ceiling: Range: Armament: EFA, Eurofighter See Eurofighter 2000. EFB.1 Destroyer, Vickers Two-seat, single-engined pusher biplane, fitted with a Vickers gun in the front cockpit. The EFB.1 had a 60kW Wolseley engine and heavily staggered wings. It never flew, destroying itself on attempted take-off... 1913. EFB.2, Vickers Pusher biplane, armed with a belt-fed Vickers machine gun in the front nacelle. The gun mount was entirely impractical. 1913, one built. EFB.3, Vickers Pusher biplane, again armed with a belt-fed Vickers machine gun in the front nacelle. The original gun mount was improved but still impractical, and soon replaced by a more conventional mount. The EFB.3 used ailerons instead of wing warping, however. The EFB.3 became the prototype for the FB.5. One built, 1913. EFB.5, Vickers Designation applied at one time to the FB.5. EH 101, Eurocopter Known as the Merlin in British military service. Envoy, Airspeed Twin-engined monoplane transport. The RAF used a small number. South-African Envoys were modified as bomber, with a bomb load and a gun turret. Type: AS.6 Envoy Function: transport Year: 1934 Crew: Engines: 2 * 350pk Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah IX Speed: 338km/h Ceiling: 6800m Range: 1045km Load: 7 seats Eurofighter 2000 The European Fighter Aircraft, a medium-sized multi-role fighter to replace the Phantom and the last Starfighters. Type: Eurofighter 2000 Function: fighter Year: 1994 Crew: 1 Engines: 2 * 90kN Eurojet EJ200 Wing Span: 10.50m Length: 14.50m Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: 9750kg Max.Weight: 17000kg Speed: 1845km/h Ceiling: Range: 1112km Armament: 1*g27mm b,r,msl Expeditor, Beech The U.S. Beech model 18. --F-------------------------------------------------------------------------- F, Felixstowe The Felixstowe F series of flying boats were developments of the American Curtiss H series. The biggest difference was a fuselage with improved floating characteristics. Later models had a longer wing span. The F.5L was in service with the US Navy until the late 1920s. Type: F.3 Function: reconaissance Year: 1917 Crew: 4 Engines: 2 * 250kW R.R. Eagle VIII Speed: 143km/h Ceiling: 1830m Range: Armament: 4*mg7.7mm 417kg Type: F.5 Function: reconaissance Year: 1918 Crew: Engines: 2 * 261kW Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII Wing Span: 31.60m Length: 15.01m Height: 5.72m Wing Area: 130.90m2 Empty Weight: 4128kg Max.Weight: 5752kg Speed: 142km/h Ceiling: 2075m Range: 7h Armament: 4*mg7.7mm 417kg F.1, Sopwith Official designation for the 'Camel'. F.2, Bristol Better known as the 'Bristol fighter' or 'Brisfit'. A two-seat biplane fighter that achieved great succes in WWI, after it was found out that it should be flown just like a single-seat fighter. Yet it was very different from most fighters of this conflict, being large and powerful. After the war it was used as army cooperation aircraft. 5308 built. Type: F.2B Mk.IV Function: fighter Year: 1917 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 205kW R.R. Falcon III Wing Span: 11.96m Length: 7.87m Height: 2.97m Wing Area: 37.62m2 Empty Weight: 975kg Max.Weight: 1474kg Speed: 198km/h Ceiling: 5490m Range: Armament: 2-3*mg7.7mm 110kg F.2, Fairey A twin-engined, three-seat fighter biplane. One built. Type: F.2 Function: fighter Year: 1917 Crew: 3 Engines: 2 * 190hp R.R. Falcon Speed: 150km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm F3, Blackburn Unusual biplane fighter. The upper wing was positioned at shoulder height of the fuselage, and the lower wing well below it; the space between fuselage and lower wing was occupied by the radiator. It was never flown. F.3, Martinsyde Fast and maneuvrable fighter. But the R.R. Falcon engines were all assigned the the Bristol F2B Fighter. Only six built. Type: F.3 Function: fighter Year: 1917 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 275hp R.R. Falcon III Speed: 208km/h Ceiling: Range: Load: F3A, Bristol Delopment of the TTA with gunner nacelles on the upper wing. F5/34, Gloster Monoplane fighter. The RAF was already commited to the Spitfire and Hurricane, and no production of the F5/34 was undertaken. Two built. Type: F5/34 Function: fighter Year: 1936 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 618kW Bristol Mercury IX Speed: 508km/h Ceiling: 9750m Range: Armament: 8*mg7.7mm F7/30, Westland Biplane fighter with the engine placed behind the pilot, between the wings. Performance was very disappointing. Type: F7/30 Function: fighter Year: 1934 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * R.R. Goshawk III Speed: 185mph Ceiling: Range: Armament: 4*mg7.7mm F9/37, Gloster A big twin-engined fighter. It was adapted from an earlier turreted fighter design, and as a consequence had a strange armament layout: three 20mm guns were fitted behind the cockpit, pointing around 15 degrees up; the two in the lower fuselage were aligned at the same angle. One built with Bristol Taurus and one with R.R Peregrine engines; no production. Type: F9/37 Function: fighter Year: 1939 Crew: 1 Engines: 2 * 1050hp Bristol Taurus Speed: 580km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 5*g20mm F20/27, Vickers Biplane fighter with an 450hp Bristol Jupiter VII engine. Precursor of the Fury biplane. F20/27, Westland Monoplane fighter, in appearance not unlike the Boeing P-26 but a less advanced, earlier design. One built. Type: F20/27 Function: fighter Year: 1929 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * Bristol Mercury Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm F20/27, Hawker Single-seat fighter, one built. Type: F20/27 Function: fighter Year: 1928 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 335kW Bristol Jupiter VII Speed: 305km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm F29/27, Westland Monoplane fighter. Fitted with a COW gun angled 55 degrees up. Development of the F20/27. 485hp Bristol Mercury IIIA engine. Fairey III Naval reconaissance floatplane. The first Fairey III appeared in 1919; the line continued for many, many years. Type: IIIF Function: reconaissance Year: 1926 Crew: 2-3 Engines: 1 * 425kW Napier Lion XIA Wing Span: 13.94m Length: 10.82m Height: 4.26m Wing Area: 41.20m2 Empty Weight: 1779kg Max.Weight: 2858kg Speed: 209km/h Ceiling: 6095m Range: 3-4 h Armament: Fairey Long Range Monoplane Two built. Type: Long Range Monoplane Function: experimental Year: 1928 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 390kW Napier lion XIA/NS Speed: Ceiling: Range: 8850km Armament: Falcon, Dassault Target-towing for the RAF and the RN is down by Flight Refuelling, a civil contracter that operates a number of Dassault Falcon 20's with U.S. civil registrations. Fantome, Fairey Single-seat fighter, a development of the Firefly. Four built. Type: Fantome Function: fighter Year: 1935 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 925hp Hispano-Suiza 12Ycrs Speed: 435km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 1*g20mm 2*mg7.7mm Fawn, Fairey Single-engined light day bomber. The unspectacular performance and general uselesness of the Fawn were not only due to official specifications; they were in agreement with them. Type: Fawn Mk.II Function: bomber Year: 1924 Crew: 2-3 Engines: 1 * 470hp Napier Lion Speed: 114mph Ceiling: 13850ft Range: 650mls Armament: 3*mg7.7mm b460lb FB.5, Vickers Popularly known as 'Gun Bus', a pusher biplane that equipped the first British fighter units in 1915. A forward-firing, flexible Lewis gun was aimed by the observer. A poor performer that was quickly retired when the Fokker monoplanes appeared. Type: F.B.5 Function: fighter Year: 1914 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 100hp Gnome Monosoupape Wing Span: 11.1m Length: 8.3m Height: 3.4m Wing Area: 35.5m2 Empty Weight: 553kg Max.Weight: 930kg Speed: 113km/h Ceiling: 2740m Range: 380km Armament: 1-2*mg7.7mm FB.9, Vickers Improved version of the F.B.5. Wings and nacelle were refined, and the aircraft was known to the RFC as the 'Streamline Vickers'. Performance improvements were minimal. Most FB.9s were dual-control trainers, the combat career of the FB.9 was limited to a few months in 1916. Type: F.B.9 Function: fighter/trainer Year: 1916 Crew: Engines: 1 * 75kW Gnome Monosoupape Wing Span: 10.3m Length: 8.7m Height: 3.5m Wing Area: 31.26m2 Empty Weight: 447kg Max.Weight: 858kg Speed: 132km/h Ceiling: 3353m Range: 5hrs Armament: 1*mg7.7mm FB.11, Vickers Three-seat heavy fighter biplane. The RFC ordered the construction of several multi-gunners fighters during WWI, and then decided that it was a bad idea. FB.12, Vickers WWI biplane fighter with pusher engine. Few built, because pusher fighters were outdated. Type: F.B.12 Function: fighter Year: 1916 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 110hp Gnome Monosoupape Speed: 150km/h Ceiling: 4400m Range: Armament: 1*mg7.7mm FB.14, Vickers Single-engined, two-seat tractor biplane. Around 100 built. 1916. FB.16, Vickers Single-engined fighter, a tractor biplane. No production. Type: F.B.16H Function: fighter Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 300hp Hispano-Suiza Speed: 147mph Ceiling: Range: Armament: FB.19, Vickers Tractor biplane. Considered unfit for combat, and used as trainer. Type: F.B.19 Function: fighter Year: 1916 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 80kW Le Rhone 9J Speed: 157km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: FB.25, Vickers Two-sa night fighter. A pusher biplane. 1917. FB.26, Vickers WWI biplane fighter with pusher engine. Four built. The concept was outdated. Type: FB26 Function: fighter Year: 1917 Crew: Engines: 1 * 200hp Hispano-Suiza Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: 3*mg7.7mm F.E.2, Royal Aircraft Factory Pusher fighter, with the gunner seated in front of the pilot, far forward in the nacelle. The F.E.2 was one of the firts aircraft to fly with a machine gun, on July 24, 1912. From 1917 onwards it was used as bomber. Around 1000 built. F.E. means 'Farman Experimental', 'Farman' being used as generic name for pusher biplanes. Type: F.E.2b Function: fighter Year: 1915 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 120kW Beardmore Speed: 150km/h Ceiling: 3300m Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm F.E.3, Royal Aircraft Factory Pusher biplane, fitted with a 1lb COW gun. The tail was not, as usual in pusher biplanes, carried on a large frame fitted around the propeller; instead, the tail boom passed through the hollow propeller shaft! Type: F.E.3 Function: fighter Year: 1913 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 100hp Chenu Speed: 121km/h Ceiling: 1525m Range: Armament: F.E.6, Royal Aircraft Factory Development of the F.E.3. One built. Type: F.E.6 Function: fighter Year: 1914 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 120hp Austro-Daimler Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: F.E.8, Royal Aircraft Factory WWI biplane fighter with pusher engine. Obsolete when it entered service. Last pusher fighter in service. 295 built. Type: F.E.8 Function: fighter Year: 1916 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 100hp Gnome Monosoupape Speed: 151km/h Ceiling: 4420m Range: Armament: 1*mg7.7mm F.E.9, Royal Aircraft Factory Pusher biplane, intended to replace the F.E.2b. The pusher fighter concept was outdated. Three built. Type: F.E.9 Function: fighter Year: 1917 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 200hp Hispano-Suiza Speed: 169km/h Ceiling: 4725m Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm F.E.10, Royal Aircraft Factory Type: F.E.10 Function: fighter Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: F.E.12, Royal Aircraft Factory Renamed N.E.1 Ferret, Fairey Reconaissance biplane, a development of the Fairey III. 1925. Three built. Firebrand, Blackurn B-37 Designed as a carrier fighter powered by a Napier Sabre engine, then modified as a strike aircraft carrying a large torpedo, and powered by a Bristol Centaurus radial. The bulky Firebrand was, in general, a failure. Still it had a service life from 1946 to 1953. Type: Firebrand TF.5 Function: attack/fighter Year: 1946 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 1840kW Bristol Centaurus IX Wing Span: 15.63m Length: 11.81m Height: 4.04m Wing Area: 35.58m2 Empty Weight: 5368kg Max.Weight: 7938kg Speed: 560km/h Ceiling: 8690m Range: 1200km Armament: 4*g20mm, t840kg or 2*b454kg Firecrest, Blackburn B-48 A redesigned Firebrand, smaller and with a somewhat better performance. The cockpit was raised and an inverted gull, laminar-flow wing was used, improving the view from the cockpit. It was a mediocre aircraft, and only two were built. Type: Firecrest Function: fighter-bomber Year: 1947 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 2047kW Bristol Centaurus 59 Speed: 611km/h Ceiling: 31600ft Range: 900mls Armament: Firefly, Fairey Biplane fighter. Not built for the RAF, but equipped an important part of the Belgian Air Force until May 1940. Type: Firefly Function: Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Firefly, Fairey Two-seat reconaissance fighter. The concept of the two-seat fighter may have been mistaken, but the Firefly was a versatile aircraft, taking part not only in WWII but also in the Korean war. The last of the 1702 built was delivered in 1956. Type: Firefly FR Mk. I Function: fighter Year: 1943 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 1280kW R.R. Griffon IIB Speed: 513km/h Ceiling: 8500m Range: 2100km Armament: 4*g20mm, 907kg Type: Firefly AS Mk.5 Function: ASW aircraft Year: Crew: Engines: 1 * 1678kW R.R. Griffon 74 Wing Span: 12.55m Length: 8.51m Height: 4.37m Wing Area: 30.66m2 Empty Weight: 4388kg Max.Weight: 7301kg Speed: 621km/h Ceiling: 8655m Range: 2092km Armament: 4*g20mm 907kg Firefly, Slingsby Primary trainer. The USAF recently ordered 113 Firefly's to replace the T-41 Mescalero, and the RAF 20 to replace the Bulldog. Type: Firefly T67M260 Function: trainer Year: 1991 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 260hp Textron Lycoming AEIO-540-D4A5 Speed: 281km/h Ceiling: Range: 652km F.K.1, Armstrong Whitworth Small, underpowered single-seat fighter. One built. Type: F.K.1 Sissit Function: fighter Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 37kW Gnome Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: F.K.2, Armstrong Whitworth Precursor of the F.K.3, an improved B.E.2c redesigned for easier production. One built. Type: F.K.2 Function: reconaissance Year: Crew: Engines: 1 * 51kW Renault Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: F.K.3, Armstrong Whitworth Reconaissance biplane, a development of the F.K.2 with a more powerful, but also much heavier engine. Most used as trainers. Around 500 built. Type: F.K.3 Function: Year: 1915 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 70kW R.A.F. Ia Speed: 143km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 1-2*mg7.7mm F.K.5, Armstrong Whitworth Heavy fighter. One built. Type: F.K.5 Function: fighter Year: Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm F.K.6, Armstrong Whitworth One built. Improved F.K.5 Type: F.K.6 Function: 1916 Year: 1916 Crew: Engines: 1 * 135kW R.R. Speed: 160km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: F.K.7, Armstrong Whitworth Precursor of the F.K.8. One built. F.K.8, Armstrong Whitworth Reconaissance biplane, also used as bomber. The 'Big Ack' was used with some succes until the end of WWI. Around 1500 built. Type: F.K.8 Function: reconaissance Year: 1917 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 160hp Beardmore Speed: 158km/h Ceiling: 3692m Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm, 72kg F.K.9, Armstrong Whitworth Quadruplane fighter, with low performance and numerous design faults. One built. Type: F.K.9 Function: fighter Year: 1916 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 75kW Clerget Speed: 160km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: F.K.10, Armstrong Whitworth Improvment of the F.K.9. Performance was insuficcient. Twelve built. Type: F.K.10 Function: reconaissance Year: 1916 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 95kW Clerget Speed: 153km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Fleet Shadower, Airspeed A.S. 39 Built to a requirement for an aircraft capable of shadowing enemy fleets at night, that demanded a slow-flying, silent aircraft with a long range. A high-wing aircraft with fixed landing gear, an obervation post in the nose, and four small engines distributed along the wing to generate lift. No production. Type: Fleet Shadower Function: observation Year: Crew: 3 Engines: 4 * 130hp Pobjoy Niagara V Speed: 202km/h Ceiling: 4480m Range: Armament: Fleet Shadower, General Aircraft G.A.L. 38 Very similar to the Airspeed aircraft with an identical name. A visible difference is that the main wheels are fitted to sponsons instead of struts. No production. Type: Fleet Shadower Function: observation Year: 1940 Crew: 2 Engines: 4 * 130hp Pobjoy Niagara V Speed: 185km/h Ceiling: 1830m Range: 1595km Armament: Fleetwing, Fairey Development of the Fox. A two-seat fighter reconaissance biplane. One built. 1929. Flycatcher, Fairey Standard shipboard fighter during the '20s and the early '30s, a compact, rugged biplane. The Flycatcher was the last fighter to take off from platforms fitted on gun turrets. 193 built. Type: Flycatcher Function: fighter Year: 1923 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 315kW Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar IV Speed: 215km/h Ceiling: 6125m Range: 500km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Folland 43/37 Aircraft specially developed for the in-flight testing of big engines, mainly the Napier Sabre and Bristol Centaurus. The Bristol Hercules was used for ferrying flights. Type: 43/37 Function: experimental Year: 1940 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 2000hp Napier Sabre I Speed: 266mph Ceiling: Range: Armament: Fortress, Boeing British name for the U.S. B-17 Flying Fortress bomber. The RAF bought some early B-17B's, and gained valuable expereince by using them for daylight high-altitude attacks. The RAF experience considerably influeced the further development of the B-17. Fox, Fairey The Fox biplane bomber was faster than the contemporary RAF fighters. It was originally designed around the Curtiss D-12 liquid-cooled engine, built in the UK as the Fairey Felix. It was later fitted with the R.R. Kestrel. The RAF bought only 28. The Fox was bought by, and eventually built in, Belgium. Type: Fox IA Function: bomber Year: 1925 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 360kW R.R. Kestrel Wing Span: Length: Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: Speed: 260km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 208kg Fox Moth, de Havilland D.H.83 The Fox Moth was a biplane transport built up from D.H.82 Tiger Moth components, with a large cabin behind the engine, and the pilot's cockpit moved aft. 154 built. Type: D.H.83 Fox Moth Function: transport Year: 1932 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 97kW D.H. Gipsy Major Wing Span: 9.41m Length: 7.85m Height: 2.86m Wing Area: 24.25m2 Empty Weight: 499kg Max.Weight: 939kg Speed: 182km/h Ceiling: 3870m Range: 580km Load: 5 seats Fremantle, Fairey A long-range reconaissance aircraft with a wing span of 21.08m. The Fremantle was a single-engined seaplane intended for a flight round the world. This was never done, maybe because an U.S. team had already done this with the Douglas Worlde Cruiser. 1924. Fulmar, Fairey Two-seat reconaissance fighter, a development of the P4/34 light bomber. The Fulmar was inferior to modern single-seat fighters, but it was a reliable, sturdy aircraft with long range. At least it provided the RN with a monoplane fighter. 600 built. Type: Fulmar Mk. I Function: fighter Year: 1940 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 1080hp R.R. Merlin VIII Wing Span: 14.14m Length: 12.24m Height: 4.27m Wing Area: 31.77m2 Empty Weight: 3955kg Max.Weight: 4853kg Speed: 412km/h Ceiling: 6830m Range: 1340km Armament: 9*mg7.7mm, 2*b113kg Fury, Hawker The classic fighter design by Sidney Camm. The Fury was a beautifully streamlined biplane fighter, that reintroduced liquid cooled engines for fighters; its layout and construction were based on that of the Hart bomber. Superb handling and high speed made the Fury one of the most popular combat aircraft of the RAF. Type: Fury Mk.II Function: fighter Year: 1936 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 477kW R.R. Kestrel VI Wing Span: 9.14m Length: 8.15m Height: 3.10m Wing Area: 23.41m2 Empty Weight: 1240kg Max.Weight: 1637kg Speed: 360km/h Ceiling: 9000m Range: 435km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Fury, Hawker Monoplane fighter, using the wing of the Tempest, but smaller and lighter. The wing panels were joined on the centreline rather than bolted to a centre section, reducing span. Production aircraft had a Bristol Centaurus engine, but the Napier Sabre and R.R. Griffon were also tested. The RAF was already commited to the jet engine, and showed no interest, but Iraq bought 57. The RN used the naval version, the Sea Fury, for some time. Type: Fury Mk. I Function: fighter Year: 1944 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 2300hp Bristol Centaurus XII Wing Span: Length: Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: Speed: 750km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 4*g20mm --G-------------------------------------------------------------------------- G4/31, Fairey Bomber and reconaissance aircraft, 1934. Bristol Pegasus or Armstrong Siddeley Tiger engine. One built. G.100, Martinsyde Nicknamed 'Elephant' because of its size. A failure as fighter, but a good ground attack aircraft. Type: G.100 Function: attack Year: 1916 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 120hp Beardmore Speed: 152km/h Ceiling: 4270m Range: Armament: 1-2*mg7.7mm, 102kg G.102, Martinsyde Development of G.100 with 160hp Beardmore engine. GAL 56, General Aircraft Tailless glider built to investigate the characteristics of such aircraft. Three built, all with different wing platforms. The two-seat GAL 56 was fitted with large fin and rudder endplates on the wingtips; the crew was seated in a short nacelle. The flying qualities of the GAL 56 were horrendous. GAL 61, General Aircraft Tailless glider. The GAL 61 was a flying wing design without fins or rudders. Gambet, Gloster Wooden biplane fighter. The Japanese built 150 as the Nakajima A1N. Type: A1N1 Function: fighter Year: 1929 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * Nakajima (Bristol) Jupiter IV Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Gamecock, Gloster A development of the Grebe, the Gamecock equipped the RAF during the late 20's. The Gamecock was a small fighter, with a very short fuselage. Its service life were relatively brief. Type: Gamecock I Function: fighter Year: 1925 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 317kW Bristol Jupiter VI Wing Span: 9.08m Length: 5.99m Height: 2.95m Wing Area: 24.53m2 Empty Weight: 875kg Max.Weight: 1299kg Speed: 250km/h Ceiling: 6700m Range: 610km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 4*b9kg Gannet, Fairey Shipboard ASW aircraft. The Gannet was a compact mid-wing monoplane. The engine was divided in two parts, each driving one of the contra-rotaing propellers; one half could be stopped to reduce fuel consumption. 346 built. Type: Gannet A.S.4 Function: ASW Year: 1956 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 3035hp Armstrong Siddeley Double Mamba 101 Wing Span: Length: Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: Speed: 481km/h Ceiling: 7620m Range: 1510km Armament: 907kg Gannet, Grumman Name given initially to the Grumman F6F Hellcat. Later the RN adopted the American name. Ganymede, Grahame-White Long-range day bomber. A twin-tail design with one pusher and two tractor engines. Type: Function: Year: Crew: Engines: 3 * 270hp Sunbeam Maori Speed: 105mph Ceiling: Range: Armament: Gauntlet, Gloster Often considered the best British biplane fighter. The later Gladiator was more powerful, but less agile. 228 were built for the RAF, and 17 more in Denmark. Type: Gauntlet I Function: fighter Year: 1934 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 470kW Bristol Mercury VIS-2 Wing Span: 9.99m Length: 8.05m Height: 3.12m Wing Area: 29.26m2 Empty Weight: 1256kg Max.Weight: 1801kg Speed: 370km/h Ceiling: 10200m Range: 740km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 4*b90kg Gazelle, Aerospatiale-Westland Utility helicopter of French origin. Gipsy Moth, de Havilland Type: Gipsy Moth Function: liaison / trainer Year: Crew: 1-2 Engines: 1 * 88kw D.H. Gipsy II Speed: 169km/h Ceiling: 4420m Range: 515km Armament: Gladiator, Gloster Last British biplane fighter, a development of the Gauntlet. The Gladiator was used during WWII in theatres were the RAF could not afford better equipment. The famous story about the three Gladiators called Faith, Hope and Love that defended Malta is incorrect: there were seven aircraft involved. Around 260 were built. Type: Gladiator II Function: fighter Year: 1936 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 830hp Bristol Mercury IX Wing Span: 9.83m Length: 8.36m Height: 3.53m Wing Area: 30.01m2 Empty Weight: 1562kg Max.Weight: 2206kg Speed: 414km/h Ceiling: 10210m Range: 710km Armament: 4*mg7.7mm Gnat, Folland Light jet fighter. The Gnat had good performance, but with a limited weapons load. The RAF used it as a trainer; it also used to be the aircraft of the 'Red Arrows' acrobatic team. Combat versions were successful in India, that used it in its war with Pakistan, and built an improved version, the 'Ajeet'. Finland also bought 13, that were in service until 1972. Type: Gnat T.1 Function: trainer Year: 1962 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 18.8kN Bristol Orpheus 101 Wing Span: 7.32m Length: 9.68m Height: 2.93m Wing Area: 16.26m2 Empty Weight: 2331kg Max.Weight: 3915kg Speed: 1024km/h Ceiling: 14600m Range: 1850km Armament: 455kg Gnatsnapper, Gloster Small single-seat fighter biplane. Goldfinch, Gloster Basically an all-metal development of the Gamecock. No production, becasue the Bristol Bulldog was preferred. Type: Goldfinch Function: fighter Year: 1926 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 335kW Bristol Jupiter VIIF Speed: 275km/h Ceiling: 8225m Range: Armament: Goral, Gloster Two-seat multi-purpose biplane, using many parts of the DH9A, including the wings. No production. 1926. Gorcock, Gloster Three built. Single-seat fighter with Napier Lion engine. Gordon, Fairey A development of the IIIF, intended to replace it. The Gordon was very similar in appearance and construction, but had better performance because of its radial engine. Nevertheless it certainly wasn't spectacular. 207 built, of which 178 as constructed as Gordons and the rest converted from IIIFs on the production line. Type: Gordon Function: reconaissance / bomber Year: 1930 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 385kW Armstrong Siddelay Panther IIa Wing Span: 13.94m Length: 11.20m Height: 4.32m Wing Area: 40.69m2 Empty Weight: 1588kg Max.Weight: 2679kg Speed: 233km/h Ceiling: 6700m Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 227kg Goring, Gloster Two-seat torpedo bomber. No production. The name was written _without_ "umlaut"! Grebe, Gloster Post-WWI biplane fighter, a very small and nimble aircraft. 133 built. In service until 1928. Type: Grebe II Function: fighter Year: 1923 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 400hp Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar IV Speed: 240km/h Ceiling: 7010m Range: 610km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 4*b9kg Greyhound, Austin A clean two-seat fighter biplane. Type: Greyhound Function: fighter Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 320hp A.B.C. Dragonfly Speed: 130mph Ceiling: Range: Armament: Grouse, Gloster Prototype of the Grebe, with an Bentley BR2 engine. 1923. Guan, Gloster Single-seat fighter with Napier Lion engine. Three built. Gun Bus, Vickers F.B5 See F.B.5 Gun Bus, Sopwith Pusher-prop fighter, developed from a floatplane. A bomber version was built too. Around 40 built. Type: Gun Bus Function: fighter Year: 1914 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 150hp Sunbeam Speed: 129km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 1*mg7.7mm Gurndard, Short S.10 Shipboard reconaissance fighter, suitable for catapult operation from cruisers. The competing Hawker Osprey was selected for production. Type: Gurnard Function: fighter Year: 1929 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 525hp R.R. Kestrel II.S Speed: 258km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm --H-------------------------------------------------------------------------- H.126, Hunting Research aircraft, designed to test the high-lift qualities of blown flaps. 60% of the exhaust of the jet engine was ducted to the trailing edge of the wing; a small fraction was also ducted to jet control nozzles. The H.126 had fixed landing gear and the complex, high-set wing was supported by struts. One built. Type: H.126 Function: experimental Year: 1963 Crew: Engines: 1 * 4850lb Bristol Siddeley Orpheus 805 Wing Span: 45ft 4.75in Length: 44ft 5in Height: 15ft 6in Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Halifax, Handley Page Heavy bomber, less known than the Lancaster but almost as important. It was built both with R.R. Merlin liquid-cooled and Bristol Hercules radial engines. It was a mid-wing aicraft with twin fins and rudders and a fuselage of rectangular cross-section. 6176 were built; Halifaxes flew 75532 missions during WWII. Also used as glider tug and transport. Type: Halifax Mk. III Function: bomber Year: 1944 Crew: 7 Engines: 4 * 1615hp Bristol Hercules XVI Speed: 454km/h Ceiling: 7315m Range: 1658km Armament: 9*mg7.7mm 5890kg Hamble Baby, Fairey Development of the Sopwith Baby. Hamilcar, General Aircraft Large glider, capable of carrying a 7-ton tank, two 'Bren gun carriers', or other large equipment. Used with some succes in Overlord. The Mk. X had two 965hp Bristol Mercury 31 engines to assist the take-off or fly the aircraft out after unloading. 412 built. Type: Hamilcar Function: glider Year: 1942 Crew: 2 Engines: --- Speed: 240km/h Ceiling: Range: Load: 7950kg Hampden, Handley Page Medium bomber, used during the first part of WWII. Typical design with a short fuselage and a big tail boom, carrying twin tail fins. Nicknamed 'Flying Suitcase'. Its defensive armament was totally inadequate, and heavy losses were suffered on day bomber missions. Whitdrawn in 1942. 1432 built. Type: Hampden Mk. I Function: bomber Year: 1939 Crew: 4 Engines: 2 * 740kW Bristol Pegasus XVIII Speed: 410km/h Ceiling: 7300m Range: 3000km Armament: 4*mg7.7mm 1814kg Handcross, Handley-Page Torpedo bomber. Handley Page 0/100 First British heavy bomber, built for the RNAS. 46 built. Type: 0/100 Function: bomber Year: 1916 Crew: Engines: 2 * 18kW R.R Eagle II Speed: 140km/h Ceiling: 2600m Range: 1120km Armament: 4*mg7.7mm 800kg Handley Page 0/400 Heavy night bomber, develompment of the 0/100. 550 built. Type: 0/400 Function: bomber Year: 1916 Crew: 4 Engines: 2 * 260kW R.R. Eagle VIII Speed: 160km/h Ceiling: 2600m Range: Armament: 3-5*mg7.7mm 748kg Handley Page V/1500 Heavy bomber, intended to bomb Berlin but too late for WWI. Type: V/1500 Function: bomber Year: 1918 Crew: 4 Engines: 4 * 280kW R.R. Eagle IV Speed: 150km/h Ceiling: 3350m Range: Armament: 3390kg 6*mg7.7mm Hardy, Hawker Tropicalized general-purpose variant of the Hart, intended for politional operations in Iraq. 47 built, by Gloster. Type: Hardy Function: attack / general purpose Year: 1934 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 436kW R.R. Kestrel IB Wing Span: 11.35m Length: 8.94m Height: 3.17m Wing Area: 32.33m2 Empty Weight: 1148kg Max. Weight: 2066kg Speed: 296km/h Ceiling: 6510m Range: 756km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 236kg Harrier, Hawker/BAe For a long time this was the only operational western VTOL aircraft. It is a small ground-attack aircraft. VTOL operation is achieved by the four swivelling nozzles of the R.R. Pegasus engine. The basic concepts dates back to 1960, but production still continues. Adopted by the USMC as the AV-8. Later versions have enlarged wings, wing root extensions, and longer noses for additional electronics. Type: Harrier GR.3 Function: attack Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 8752kg R.R. Pegasus Mk.103 Wing Span: 7.70m Length: 13.87m Height: 345m Wing Area: 18.68m2 Empty Weight: 5579kg Max.Weight: 11340kg Speed: 1186km/h Ceiling: 15240m Range: 5560km Armament: 2268kg Harrow, Handley Page High-wing monoplane bomber with fixed landing gear, very similar in appearance to the Bombay. Type: Harrow Mk.II Function: bomber Year: 1935 Crew: Engines: 2 * 680kW Bristol Pegasus XX Speed: 320km/h Ceiling: 7000m Range: 2950km Armament: 4*mg7.7mm 1350kg Hart, Hawker Single-engined biplane bomber. When it appeared, the Hart was faster than contemporary fighter. The design showed wat could be achieved by aerodynamic refinement and was very influential. The Hart had a close-cowled liquid-cooled engine, a well-shaped fuselage and slightly swept biplane wings. Over 950 built. Type: Hart Function: bomber Year: 1929 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 390kW R.R. Kestrel IB Wing Span: 11.35m Length: 8.94m Height: 3.17m Wing Area: 32.33m2 Empty Weight: 1148kg Max. Weight: 2066kg Speed: 295km/h Ceiling: 6500m Range: 760km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 225kg Hartbees, Hawker Development of the Hart for the South African Air Force. Except for a few pattern aircraft, the Hartbees was also built in South Africa. Type: Hartbees Function: bomber Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 453kW R.R. Kestrel VFP Wing Span: 11.35m Length: 9.02m Height: 3.17m Wing Area: 32.33m2 Empty Weight: 1429kg Max. Weight: 2171kg Speed: 283km/h Ceiling: 6705m Range: 3h 10min Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Harvard, North American The U.S. AT-6 trainer. Hastings, Handley Page Military version of the civil Hermes transport. Type: Hastings Function: transport Year: 1947 Crew: 5 Engines: 4 * 1230kW Bristol Hercules 106 Speed: 560km/h Ceiling: 8100m Range: 6800km Armament: 9200kg, 50seats Havoc, Douglas RAF name for a nightfighter development of the U.S. A-20 bomber. The USAF did nearly the same; it created to P-70 nightfighter version of the A-20. Some Havocs were fitted with large searchlights in the nose, to illuminate targets for Hurricane fighters. Hawfinch, Hawker 1927 fighter prototype. Type: Hawfinch Function: fighter Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 450hp Bristol Jupiter VII Speed: 171mph Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Hawk, BAe Jet trainer. A low-wing, single engined trainer of fairly common appearance. BAe managed to sell the Hawk to the USN as the T-45 Goshawk. There is also a single seat attack 'fighter' called Hawk 200. Type: Hawk T.1 Function: trainer Year: 1976 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 23.75kN R.R.-Turbomeca RT.172-06-11 Adour 151 Wing Span: 9.39m Length: 11.17m Height: 3.99m Wing Area: 16.69m2 Empty Weight: 3647kg Max.Weight: 7750kg Speed: 1000km/h Ceiling: 15240m Range: 3090km Armament: 2567kg Hector, Hawker Army-cooperation aircraft with the Hind fuselage and new unswept biplane wings. 178 built. Type: Hector Function: reconaissance / bomber Year: 1937 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 600kW Napier Dagger IIIMS Wing Span: 11.26m Length: 9.09m Height: 3.17m Wing Area: 32.14m2 Empty Weight: 1537kg Max. Weight: 2227kg Speed: 301km/h Ceiling: 7315m Range: 2h 25min Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 2*b51kg Hedgehog, Hawker Fleet reconaissance biplane. Type: Hedgehog Function: reconaissance Year: Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 420hp Bristol Jupiter VI Wing Span: Length: Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Hellcat, Grumman The U.S. F6F Hellcat shipboard fighter in RN service. It was used mostly in the Pacific, from escort carriers. Type: F6F-3 Hellcat Mk. I Function: fighter Year: 1943 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 2000hp P&W R-2800-10 Speed: 605km/h Ceiling: 10820m Range: 1320km Armament: 6*mg12.7mm Helldiver, Curtiss The RN equipped one squadron with the SB2C Helldiver dive bomber. When they found out about the aircraft's unpleasant characteristics, the Helldivers were quickly shipped back to the US. Type: SB2C-1C Function: dive bomber Year: 1944 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 1700hp Wright R-2600-8 Speed: 452km/h Ceiling: 7375m Range: 1790km Armament: 2*g20mm 2*mg7.62mm 1*b453kg Hendon, Fairey Monoplane night bomber with fixed undercarriage and open cockpits. The Hendon Mk.II had enclosed cockpits. The RAF bought 14, 76 more were cancelled. Type: Hendon II Function: bomber Year: 1936 Crew: 5 Engines: 2 * 440kW R.R. Kestrel VI Speed: 250km/h Ceiling: 6580m Range: Armament: 3*mg7.7mm 755kg Hendy Heck, Parnall Seven built. Type: Hendy Heck Function: liaison Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 150kW D.H. Gipsy Six 2 Speed: 298km/h Ceiling: 5100m Range: 1000km Load: 2 seats. Hengist, Slingsby Attack glider, able of carrying 18 troops. 1942. 18 built. Henley, Hawker Clean two-seat monoplane bomber, that used the tail and wing panels of the Hurricane. The Henley was used mainly for target towing. Around 200 built. Type: Henley Function: target tug Year: 1937 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 768kW R.R. Merlin II Wing Span: 14.59m Length: 11.10m Height: 4.46m Wing Area: 31.77m2 Empty Weight: 2726kg Max. Weight: 3846kg Speed: Ceiling: 8230m Range: 1529km Hercules, Lockheed The C-130 Hercules, used by the RAF in transport and tanker roles. Hereford, Handley Page Re-engined variant of the Hampden. Never operational; many converted to Hampdens. Type: Hereford Mk.I Function: bomber Year: Crew: Engines: 2 * 740kW Napier Dagger VIII Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Heron, de Havilland DH.114 Four-engined transport, a development of the twin-engined Dove. Type: Heron 2D Function: transport Year: 1952 Crew: 2 Engines: 4 * 186kW D.H. Gipsy Queen 30-2 Wing Span: 21.79m Length: 14.78m Height: 4.75m Wing Area: 46.36m2 Empty Weight: 3697kg Max.Weight: 6123kg Speed: 294km/h Ceiling: 5640m Range: 1473km Load: 15-17 seats. Heron, Grob 115D-2 Five operated by Shorts for the RN, as part of the Naval Flying Grading Flight. Heyford, Handley Page Biplane bomber, most important British bomber of the mid '30s. The fuselage was attached to the upper wing, the lower wing to the landing gear. Bombs were carried on the lower wing. The Heyford with its massive strut-bracing was not exactly an advanced design, but it was effective. Type: Heyford Mk.IA Function: bomber Year: 1930 Crew: 4 Engines: 2 * 420kW R.R. Kestrel IIIS Speed: 220km/h Ceiling: 6400m Range: Armament: 3*mg7.7mm 1400kg Hinaidi, Handley-Page A Hyderabad with radial engines. The Bristol Jupiter radials were lighter; to restore the balance the wings were slightly swept back. Hind, Hawker The Hind was a stopgap replacement for the Hart, differing from the latter only by its more powerful engine and some refinements. Nevertheless it was used by the RAF and other airforces in significant numbers. Export models often had radial engines. Type: Hind Function: bomber Year: 1934 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 477kW R.R. Kestrel V Wing Span: 11.35m Length: 9.02m Height: 3.32m Wing Area: 32.33m2 Empty Weight: 1475kg Max. Weight: 2403kg Speed: 301km/h Ceiling: 8045m Range: 692km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 2*b250lb Hippo, Sopwith Two-seat fighter, a backstaggered biplane with a deep fuselage. The Hippo was considered inferior the the Bristol F.2B. One built. Type: Hippo 3F.2 Function: fighter Year: 1918 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 200hp Clerget 11EB Speed: 185km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Hispano-Suiza Triplane, Sopwith Fighter, not related to the famous Triplane of this manufacturer. Two built. Type: Hispano-Suiza Triplane Function: fighter Year: 1916 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 200hp Hispano-Suiza Speed: 193km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 1*mg7.7mm Hornet, Hawker Prototype of the Fury. 360kW R.R F XIS engine. Hornet, de Havilland High-performance twin-engined fighter, based on Mosquito experience, but smaller. 211 built for the RAF, kept in service until 1955 because it had better range than jet fighters. Type: Hornet F Mk. 3 Function: fighter Year: 1944 Crew: 1 Engines: 2 * 2070hp R.R. Merlin 130/131 Wing Span: Length: 11.18m Height: 4.32m Wing Area: 33.54m2 Empty Weight: 5842kg Max.Weight: 9480kg Speed: 759km/h Ceiling: 10670m Range: 4028km Armament: 4*g20mm, 907kg Horsa, Airspeed Assault glider used in many WWII airborne attacks, including the landing on Sicily and Normandy. The Horsa was a wooden high-wing aircraft, that was used on a large scale in the invasion of Sicily, Normandy and Germany. 3655 built. Type: Horsa Mk. I Function: glider Year: 1942 Crew: 1 Engines: none Wing Span: 26.8m Length: 20.40m Height: 5.90m Wing Area: 102.5m2 Empty Weight: 3800kg Max.Weight: 7030kg Speed: 160km/h Ceiling: Range: Load: 20-25 seats Horsley, Hawker The Horsley was designed as a biplane day bomber for the RAF. In the terminology of the day it was a 'medium' bomber. During the production the construction changed from wood to metal. The RAF bought over 120. Some were also sold to Greece. Type: Horsley Mk.II Function: bomber / torpedo bomber Year: 1928 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 495kW R.R. Condor IIIA Wing Span: 12.71m Length: 11.84m Height: 4.17m Wing Area: 64.38m2 Empty Weight: 2159kg Max. Weight: 3538kg Speed: 201km/h Ceiling: 4265m Range: 10hr Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 680kg Hotspur, General Aircraft Designed as a small troop-carrying glider; used mainly for training. Hotspur, Hawker A design for a two-seat fighter, competing with the Defiant. It was a redesigned Henley. It was never fitted with the four-gun turret. One built. Type: Hotspur I Function: fighter Year: 1938 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 1025hp R.R. Merlin II Speed: 316mph Ceiling: 28000ft Range: Armament: Hound, de Havilland D.H.65 Multi-purpose biplane, 1926. Hoverfly, Vought-Sikorsky The U.S. Sikorsky R-4 and R-6 in British service. H.P.21, Handley Page Two built. Naval fighter monoplane, designed for the US Navy. The USN cancelled the contract. Type: H.P.21 Function: fighter Year: 1921 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 170kW Bentley BR2 Speed: 235km/h Ceiling: 6400m Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm H.P.88, Handley Page Test aircraft with the 'crescent' wing of the Voctor bomber. 1951. H.P.115, Handley Page Test aircraft. The 115 had a sharp-edged 74.7 degree swept delta wing; the engine was fitted on top of the wing, the short fuselage extended below it, and the landing gear was fixed. It was designed to test the behaviour of the delta wing at low speeds. Type: H.P.115 Function: experimental Year: 1961 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 862kg Bristol Siddeley Viper 9 Wing Span: Length: 50ft 4in Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: HS.125, Hawker Siddeley Twin-engined business jet. HS.748, Hawker Siddeley See Andover. Hudson, Lockheed RAF designation for the U.S. A-28 and A-29. Hunter, Hawker A progressive development of the P.1081 as swept-wing subsonic fighter, one of the most beautiful fighters ever built. The Hunter provided the RAF with a long-awaited transsonic fighter, but it was especially long-lived as trainer and ground attack aircraft. Many airforces are still using the Hunter. 1985 built. Type: Hunter FGA.9 Function: fighter-bomber Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 45.1kN R.R. Avon Mk. 207 Wing Span: 10.26m Length: 13.98m Height: 4.01m Wing Area: 32.42m2 Empty Weight: 6532kg Max.Weight: 11158kg Speed: 1144km/h Ceiling: 15240m Range: 2970km Armament: 4*g30mm 907kg Hurricane, Hawker The Hurricane combined a biplane structure with a monoplane layout. The fuselage was a braced steel tube construction, with wooden frames and fabric covering. It was inferior to the best contemporary fighters, but sturdy, reliable and easy to produce in quantity. Most RAF fighters during the Battle of Britain were Hurricanes. Later models were used as ground attack aircraft. 14533 were built, a number in Canada with Packard Merlin engines. Type: Hurricane Mk. I Function: fighter Year: 1937 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 1030hp R.R. Merlin III Wing Span: Length: Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max. Weight: Speed: 520km/h Ceiling: 10900m Range: 965km Armament: 8*mg7.7mm Type: Hurricane Mk. IIB Function: fighter Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 1280hp R.R. Merlin XX Wing Span: 12.19m Length: 9.82m Height: 3.99m Wing Area: 23.92m2 Empty Weight: 2495kg Max. Weight: 3311kg Speed: 550km/h Ceiling: 11125m Range: 772km Armament: 12*mg7.7mm 2*b227kg Hyderabad, Handley-Page Bomber development of the W.8b passenger transport. The Hyderabad was a rectangular biplane with a stepped nose. It was ugly and not very advanced, 44 were built, plus 33 radial-engined Hinaidis. Type: Hyderabad I Function: bomber Year: 1926 Crew: 4 Engines: 2 * 450hp Napier Lion IIB Speed: 120mph Ceiling: 14000ft Range: 500mls Armament: 3*mg7.7mm 1100lb --I-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inflexible, Beardmore Rather ugly bomber, with a rectangular fuselage and constant-chord surfaces. One built. Type: Inflexible Function: bomber Year: 1928 Crew: Engines: 3 * 485kW R.R. Condor II Speed: 175km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Iris, Blackburn Large biplane flying-boat, the first flying boat built by Blackburn. The prototype was of wooden construction, but it was later converted to incorporate a metal fuselage. Only four were built. Type: Iris III Function: reconaissance Year: 1926 Crew: 5 Engines: 3 * 503kW R.R. Condor IIIB Wing Span: 29.57m Length: Height: 7.77m Wing Area: 207.07m2 Empty Weight: 8640kg Max.Weight: 13376kg Speed: 190km/h Ceiling: 3230m Range: 1290km Armament: 3*mg7.7mm 907kg --J-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jaguar, Sepecat French/British low-altitude ground attack aircraft. The French and British air forces each bought around 200; the Jaguar also did well on the export market. Type: Jaguar GR.1 Function: attack Year: 1973 Crew: 1 Engines: 2 * 35.7kN R.R.-Turbomeca Adour Mk.104 Speed: M1.6 Ceiling: 14020m Range: 4210km Armament: 2*g30mm 4765kg Javelin, Gloster The Javelin combined a delta wing with a T-tail. Development was slow, but the Javelin became an effective all-wheater interceptor. 436 built. Type: Javelin FAW.9 Function: fighter Year: 1956 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 5580kg Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire Sa.7R Wing Span: Length: Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: Speed: 1094km/h Ceiling: 15850m Range: 2200km Armament: 2*g30mm 4*msl Jet Provost, Hunting/Percival/BAC Straight-wing jet trainer, using the wings and tail of the Provost. Over 500 were built. Type: Jet Provost T.5 Function: trainer Year: 1969 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 1135kg R.R. Bristol Viper 202 Wing Span: 10.77m Length: 10.36m Height: 3.10m Wing Area: 19.85m2 Empty Weight: Max.Weight: 4173kg Speed: 710km/h Ceiling: 11200m Range: 1450km Armament: 2*mg7.62mm Jetstream, Handley-Page Small twin-turboprop transport. Used as trainer by the RAF and RN. Type: Jetstream Function: transport Year: Crew: Engines: 2 * 671kW Garrett TPE331-10 Wing Span: 15.85m Length: 14.36m Height: 5.32m Wing Area: 25.08m2 Empty Weight: 3450kg Max.Weight: 6600kg Speed: 488km/h Ceiling: 9630m Range: 779km Armament: Jockey I, Vickers Low-wing, cantilever monoplane fighter. The Jockey was an advanced design, but the single prototype crashed and no orders followed. Type: Jockey I Function: fighter Year: 1930 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 530hp Bristol Jupiter VIIF Speed: 350km/h Ceiling: 9450m Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm --K-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kadet, Kirby Glider. Kangaroo, Blackburn Heavy bomber. Only 16 were employed in WWI, mainly for sea patrol. Type: Kangaroo Function: bomber Year: 1918 Crew: 4 Engines: 2 * 190kW R.R. Falcon II Speed: 160km/h Ceiling: 3200m Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 830kg Kestrel, Hawker VTOL technology test aircraft for the Harrier, developed from the P.1127. The Kestrel had a new wing, and more powerful engine, revised intakes, and other changes. The 15 built were flown by a 'tripartite' squadron, based on an agreement between Britain, Germany and the USA. Type: Kestrel FGA.1 Function: experimental Year: 1961 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 7000kg Bristol Pegasus 5 Speed: 1100km/h Ceiling: 18300m Range: 560km Armament: Kingfisher, Vought British name for the U.S. OS2U-3 reconaissance floatplane. Kite, Kirby Single-seat glider, a development of the Grunau Baby. Used as trainer by the RAF. The RAF also performed test to see if this all-wood (with exception of the control rods and cables) aircraft would show up on radar. It did. Kittyhawk, Curtiss British name for the Curtiss model 87 fighter, equivalent to the USAAF P-40 D,E (Mk.I), F (MkII), K,M (Mk.III), and N (Mk.IV). --L-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lancaster, Avro 683 The most used British heavy bomber of WWII, Lancasters flew 156000 missions. The Lancaster was a development of the unsatisfactory twin-engine Manchester. It had a rectangular fuselage, mid-set wing and twin tail fins and rudders. It was able to carry very heavy bombs and bulky 'special' weapons; with modifications to the bomb-bay even 10.000kg bombs were carried. 7378 built. Type: Lancaster Mk. I Function: bomber Year: 1942 Crew: 7 Engines: 4 * 1280hp R.R. Merlin XX Wing Span: 31.1m Length: 21.1m Height: 6.1m Wing Area: 120m2 Empty Weight: 16750kg Max.Weight: Speed: 460km/h Ceiling: 7470m Range: 4800km Armament: 10*mg7.7mm b9980kg Leopard Moth, de Havilland 133 built. Type: Leopard Moth Function: liaison Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 95kW D.H. Gipsy Major Speed: 220km/h Ceiling: 6500m Range: 1150km Load: 2 seats Lerwick, Saro General purpose monoplane flying boat. 21 built. Type: Lerwick Function: utility Year: 1939 Crew: 6 Engines: 2 * 1025kW Bristol Hercules II Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Liberator, Consolidated The U.S. B-24 heavy bomber. Used as a naval patrol aircraft because of its long range that made it possible to cover the entire Atlantic ocean, eliminating the 'gap' that was left by the shorter-ranged Sunderland. Lightning, English Electric The layout of the Lightning was unusual: two engines above each other, sharp-edged nose intake, 60 degrees wing sweep. It was a good dogfighter, with a speed, acceleration and climb that were difficult to match. Armament and fuel capacity were limited, however, and the Lightning found few export orders. Retired in 1988. Type: Lightning F.6 Function: fighter Year: 1960 Crew: 1 Engines: 2 * 72.6kN R.R. Avon 302-C Wing Span: 10.62m Length: 16.84m Height: 5.97m Wing Area: 42.59m2 Empty Weight: 12719kg Max.Weight: 18900kg Speed: 2271km/h Ceiling: 18300m Range: 2500km Armament: 3630kg Lightning, Lockheed The U.S. twin-engined P-38 Lightning fighter. For some reason the first RAF Lightnings lacked the superchargers, so they were probably the worst Lightnings ever built; their USAAF designation was P-322. Lincock, Blackburn F.2 Single-seat biplane fighter. 1928. Eight built. Lincoln, Avro Heavy bomber developed from the Lancaster, bigger and longer-ranged. It was developed for a British campaing in the far East, but was never used in this role because of the end of WWII. It compared unfavourably with more modern designs like the B-29, but was kept in service until 1963. It was used in combat over Kenya and Malaya, and one was shot down on its way to Berlin in 1957. 604 built. Type: Lincoln B Mk. I Function: bomber Year: 1944 Crew: 7 Engines: 4 * 1750hp R.R. Merlin 85 Speed: 513km/h Ceiling: 9300m Range: 5760km Armament: 6*mg12.7mm 6350kg Lodestar, Lockheed RAF name for the Lockheed model 18 transport, equivalent to the C-59 (Mk.I) or C-60 (Mk.II). London, Saunder-Roe Biplane flying boat. Type: London I Function: reconaissance Year: 1937 Crew: 6 Engines: 2 * Speed: 250km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 3*mg7.7mm Long-Range Monoplane, Fairey This was a long-range monoplane designed to set distance records. One 57hrs flight was made in 1933, from Cranwell to Walvisbaai (South-Africa). L.R.T.Tr, Sopwith Three-seat triplane, heavy fighter with a teardrop-shaped nacelle fitted on the upper wing, above the fuselage, for a gunner with a 7.7mm gun. One built. Type: L.R.T.Tr Function: fighter Year: 1916 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 250hp R.R. Eagle I Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Lynx, Westland Multi-purpose helicopter, employed by the Army and the RN and also exported. Type: Lynx AH Mk. I Function: helicopter Year: 1972 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 620kW R.R. Gem BS.360-07-26 Speed: 300km/h Ceiling: 3660m Range: 610km Armament: 2000kg Lysander, Westland A slow-flying high-wing monoplane. The Lysander was designed to cooperate with the ground forces; this proved to be a bad concept, for the Lysander was too lightly armed to be much help and too slow too survive. But it was good liaison aircraft, and became famous as the aircraft that was used to secretly fly people to and from occupied Europe. 1652 built. Type: Lysander Function: liaison Year: 1938 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 655kW Bristol Mercury XII Speed: 370km/h Ceiling: 8080m Range: 800km Armament: 3*mg7.7mm 16*b9kg --M-------------------------------------------------------------------------- M.1, Bristol Fast monoplane fighter. 129 built, but never used in combat because of the prejudice against monoplanes. Type: M.1C Function: fighter Year: 1917 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 110hp Le Rhone 9J Wing Span: 9.37m Length: 6.24m Height: 2.37m Wing Area: 13.47m2 Empty Weight: 406kg Max.Weight: 611kg Speed: 209km/h Ceiling: 6100m Range: Armament: 1*mg7.7mm M-18, Miles Two-seat monoplane trainer with open cockpits, fixed landing gear. The M.18 was not produced in series. Type: M-18 Function: trainer Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 150hp D.H. Cirrus Major Speed: 208km/h Ceiling: 3810m Range: M-20, Miles Emergency fighter, designed for quick production should the RAF have a shortage of fighters. The M-20 was an all-wood monoplane with fixed landing gear, using many parts of the Master trainer. It was designed and built in only 65 days and had good performance, but the R.A.F. did not need the M.20. Later the M.20 was considered as an expendable shipboard fighter. Two built. Type: M-20/4 Function: fighter Year: 1940 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 1460hp R.R. Merlin XX Speed: 333mph Ceiling: 32800ft Range: 1200mls Armament: 8*mg7.7mm M-24, Miles Emergency fighter modification of the Master trainer. 23 built. Type: M-24 Function: fighter Year: Crew: Engines: 1 * 500kW R.R. Kestrel 30 Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: 6*mg7.7mm M-28, Miles Low-wing trainer and liaison monoplane. Twin fins and rudders. Type: M-28 Mk. III Function: trainer Year: Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * D.H. Cirrus Major III Speed: 251km/h Ceiling: Range: 656km Armament: M-35, Miles Single-seat tandem monoplane with a pushe propeller at the tail. Aerodynamic prototype for a shipboard fighter design. Type: M-35 Function: experimental Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 130hp Gipsy Major Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: M-39B, Miles Twin-engined tandem-wing (or canard) monoplane. Aerodynamic prototype fpr a fast bomber design. Type: M-39B Function: experimental Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 2 * 130hp D.H. Gipsy Major Speed: Ceiling: Range: Magister, Miles M.14 Two-seat monoplane trainer. Open cocpits, fixed landing gear. 1293 built. Type: Magister Function: trainer Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 130hp D.H. Gipsy Major Speed: 232km/h Ceiling: 5490m Range: 610km Armament: Manchester, Avro 679 Twin-engined heavy bomber. Manchester was basically a good aircraft, but the Vulture engine was unreliable and dangerous, Only 43 Manchesters were built. The Manchester is only remembered because of its four-engined development, the Lancaster. Type: Manchester Mk.I Function: bomber Year: 1940 Crew: 7 Engines: 2 * 1290kW R.R. Vulture I Wing Span: 27.46m Length: Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: Speed: 425km/h Ceiling: 5800m Range: 2600km Armament: 6*mg7.7mm 4695kg Manchester, Avro Twin-engined biplane bomber, a development of the Pike. Type: Manchester I Function: bomber Year: Crew: 3 Engines: 2 * 320hp A.B.C. Dragonfly Speed: 128mph Ceiling: Range: Armament: Manx, Handley-Page Experimental tailless monoplane. Round fuselage, backswept wings fitted with wingtip fins and rudders. Type: Manx Function: experimental Year: 1943 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 140hp D.H. Gipsy Major Speed: 240km/h Ceiling: 4575m Range: Armament: Marathon, Miles / Handley Page Small-four engined transport, used as trainer by the RAF. Type: Marathon Function: transport Year: 1946 Crew: 3-5 Engines: 4 * 340hp D.H. Gipsy Queen 70-3 Speed: 323km/h Ceiling: 5500m Range: 935km Load: 18-22 seats Marauder, Martin RAF name for the U.S. B-26 bomber. Mars, Gloster This was the Nieuport Nighthawk, with the 230hp Bentley BR2 replacing the unreliable ABC Dragonfly engine. Most versions of the Mars carried other names in RAF service, like Nighthawk and Nightjar. Martinet, Miles M-25 Target-tug monoplane. 1793 built. Type: Martinet Function: target tug Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 870hp Bristol Mercury 30 Speed: 356km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Martlet, Grumman Small monoplane naval fighter, the U.S. F4F Wildcat. They were called Martlets in British service, until it was decided to adopt the American name. The Martlet Mk. IV was similar to the F4F-4 except for the Wright R-1820-40B engine. Type: F4F-4 Function: fighter Year: 1941 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 1200hp P&W R-1830-86 Speed: 515km/h Ceiling: 10370m Range: 2050km Armament: 6*mg12.7mm Maryland, Martin Twin-engined bomber, assigned the U.S. designtaion A-22 for contractual purposes, but only used by the RAF and Armee de l'Air. The Maryland had a cramped fuselage and was inadequately armed. 255 built. Type: Maryland II Function: bomber Year: 1939 Crew: Engines: 2 * 883kW P&W R-1830-S3C4G Speed: 451km/h Ceiling: 7925m Range: 1740km Armament: 6*mg7.7mm 907kg Master, Miles Advanced trainer. The Mk.I had a R.R. Kestrel engine, the Mk.II a Bristol Mercury and the Mk. III a P&W Wasp Junior. The Mk.I was underpowered, but later models emulated the handling characteristics of contemporary fighters quite well. 3302 built. Type: Master IA Function: trainer Year: 1939 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 715hp R.R. Kestrel XXX Speed: 364km/h Ceiling: 8500m Range: 800km Armament: 1*mg7.7mm MB1, Martin-Baker Type: MB1 Function: fighter Year: 1934 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: MB2, Martin-Baker Simplicity was the key to the design of the MB2. It was an angular monoplane with fixed landing gear, easy to build and maintain. Handling characteristics were unpleasant. The RAF decided that it needed fighters, but not that urgently... One built. Type: MB2 Function: fighter Year: 1938 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 805hp Napier Dagger III Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: 8*mg7.7mm MB3, Martin-Baker Very advanced single-seat fighter. Test flights were marred by engine problems; development was halted when the only prototype crashed. Type: MB3 Function: fighter Year: 1942 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * Napier Sabre Speed: 667km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 6*g20mm MB5, Martin-Baker The MB5 was praised for its performance, agility, handling and engineering quality. But with other high-performance fighters already in prodcution and jet-engined fighters nearing completion, the MB5 remained a prototype. Type: MB5 Function: fighter Year: 1944 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 2340hp R.R. Griffon 83 Speed: 740km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 4*g20mm Mentor, Miles 45 built. Type: Mentor Function: trainer Year: Crew: Engines: 1 * 150kW D.H. Gipsy Six Speed: 251km/h Ceiling: 4200m Range: Armament: Merlin, Miles M-4 Four built. Type: Merlin Function: liaison Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 150kW D.H. Gipsy Six Speed: 250km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 4 seats Merlin, European Helicopter The E.H.101 helicopter, an Anglo-Italian design to replace the Sea King. Type: Merlin Function: ASW/utility helicopter Year: Crew: 4 Engines: 3 * 1278kW G.E. T700-GE-401A Speed: 296km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Messenger, Miles M-38 Monoplane liaison aircraft, a development of the M-28. Triple tailfins and rudders. 80 built. Type: Messenger Function: liaison Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 140hp D.H. Gipsy Major ID Speed: 187km/h Ceiling: 5185m Range: Load: 3 seats Meteor, Gloster The first allied jet fighter. Its combat use in WWII was limited to intercepting V-1's. The flexible design allowed a long development history after the war, and the Meteor introduced jet engines to many airforces. A two-seat night fighter with a long radar nose was also built, entering service in 1950. Around 3875 built; the last were retired from service in 1961. Type: Meteor F Mk. III Function: fighter Year: 1944 Crew: 1 Engines: 2 * 1700lb R.R. Welland Speed: 795km/h Ceiling: 13400m Range: 2160km Armament: 4*g20mm Midge, Folland A lower-powered (7.3kN Armstrong Siddeley Viper 101) aerodynamic prototype of the Gnat. One built. Mitchell, North American RAF name for the U.S. B-25 medium bomber. Mohawk, Curtiss RAF name for the Hawk 75A, export version of the U.S. P-36 fighter. Mohawk, Miles One built. Type: Mohawk Function: liaison Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 185kW Menasco Buccaneer B6S Speed: 306km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Monarch, Miles Eight built. Type: Monarch Function: liaison Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 95kW D.H. Gipsy Major Speed: 225km/h Ceiling: Range: Load: 2 seats Monitor, Miles M-33 High-speed target tug. A clean shoulder wing-monoplane. The Mk.II for the RN was able to simulate dive-bombing attacks. Type: Monitor TT Mk. II Function: target tug Year: 1944 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 1750hp Wright R-2600-31 Speed: 576km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Mosquito, de Havilland Wooden twin-engined aircraft, in service during WWII as bomber, fighter and recce aircraft. One of the best and most versatile aircraft of WWII. The Luftwaffe never had a nightfighter capable to intercept the fast, unarmed Mosquito night bombers. Type: Mosquito FB Mk. VI Function: fighter-bomber Year: 1943 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 1250hp R.R. Merlin XXI Wing Span: 16.51m Length: 12.47m Height: 4.65m Wing Area: 42.18m2 Empty Weight: 6486kg Max.Weight: 10115kg Speed: 611km/h Ceiling: 11000m Range: 1940km Armament: 4*g20mm 4*mg7.7mm 905kg Type: Mosquito NF.II Function: nightfighter Year: 1942 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 1075kW R.R. Merlin 23 Speed: 595km/h Ceiling: 11000m Range: 2740km Armament: 4*g20mm 4*mg7.7mm Moth, de Havilland The DH.60 Moth was the precursor of a large family of biplane light aircraft. First flown in 1925, it was an immediate success. Some were used as trainers by various air forces. Type: D.H. 60HG Gipsy Moth Function: liaison Year: 1928 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 75kW D.H. Gipsy I Wing Span: 9.14m Length: 7.29m Height: 2.68m Wing Area: 22.57m2 Empty Weight: 417kg Max.Weight: 748kg Speed: 164km/h Ceiling: 4420m Range: 515km Armament: Moth Minor, de Havilland D.H.94 Low-wing trainer monoplane, with two open cockpits in tandem. Over 40 were delivered to the RAAF, and 71 to civilian users. Type: D.H.94 Function: trainer Year: 1937 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 67kW D.H. Gipsy Minor Wing Span: 11.15m Length: 7.44m Height: 1.93m Wing Area: 15.05m2 Empty Weight: 446kg Max.Weight: 703kg Speed: 190km/h Ceiling: 5030m Range: 483km Armament: M.R.1, Bristol All-metal development of the Bristol F2 Fighter. Metal construction was employed for its better resistance to a tropical climate. Two built. 1917. Type: M.R.1 Function: fighter Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 170hp Wolseley Viper Speed: 110mph Ceiling: Range: Armament: Mustang, North American The U.S. P-51 Mustang fighter was designed for the RAF, and initial production went almost entirely to Britain. Type: Mustang Mk.I Function: fighter Year: 1942 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 845kW Allison V-1710-39 Speed: 628km/h Ceiling: 9750m Range: 1700km Armament: 4*mg7.7mm 4*mg12.7mm --N-------------------------------------------------------------------------- N.2B, Short Seaplane bomber. Type: N.2B Function: bomber Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 275hp Sunbeam Maori Speed: 90mph Ceiling: Range: Armament: N.9, Fairey Biplane seaplane. Type: N.9 Function: reconaissance Year: 1917 Crew: Engines: 1 * 190hp R.R. Speed: 78mph Ceiling: Range: Armament: N.16, Westland Seaplane. Type: N.16 Function: reconaissance fighter Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 150hp Bentley BR.1 Speed: 108mph Ceiling: Range: Armament: N.17, Westland Seaplane, a version of the N.16. Nautilus, Blackburn The Nautilus was one of the fighters that were tested, around 1930, to replace the Flycatcher. None of them was ordered. The Nautilus was a well-streamlined single-seat biplane with a liquid-cooled engine. N.E.1, Royal Aircraft Factory A development of the F.E.9 for nocturnal use. Building a specialized night fighter may have been a good idea, but developing it from the obsolete and disappointing F.E.9 was not. Six built. Type: N.E.1 Function: fighter Year: 1917 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 200hp Hispano-Suiza Speed: 153km/h Ceiling: 5335m Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Nighthawk, Nieuport Late WWI fighter biplane. 220kW ABC Dragonfly engine. Type: Nighthawk Function: fighter Year: 1919 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 320hp A.B.C. Dragonfly Speed: 243km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Nighthawk, Pemberton-Billing P.B.31E Development of the P.B.29. The Nighthawk was a twin-engined quadruplane with an enclosed cockpit, and fitted with an 1 1/2 lb recoilless gun. Enduration of 18hr; intended for anti-airship patrol. One built. Type: Nighthawk Function: fighter Year: 1917 Crew: 3 Engines: 2 * 100hp Anzani Speed: 121km/h Ceiling: 3050m Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 1*g Nightjar, Nieuport Naval fighter development of the Nighthawk. Built by Gloster. Some were converted Nighhawks. 12 built. Type: Nightjar Function: fighter Year: 1920 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 172kW Bentley BR2 Wing Span: 8.53m Length: 5.59m Height: 2.74m Wing Area: 25.08m2 Empty Weight: 801kg Max.Weight: 982kg Speed: 193km/h Ceiling: 4570m Range: 2hrs Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Nimrod, Hawker Naval adaptation of the Fury biplane, with a longer range. It replaced the Flycatcher. Type: Nimrod Mk.II Function: fighter Year: 1934 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 453kW R.R. Kestrel VFB Wing Span: 10.23m Length: 8.09m Height: 3m Wing Area: 27.96m2 Empty Weight: 1413kg Max.Weight: 1841kg Speed: 311km/h Ceiling: 8535m Range: 1h 40min Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Nimrod, BAe Development of the Comet airliner as naval reconaissance and ASW aircraft. The fuselage was shortened, and enlarged by addition of an unpressurized bulge, creating a '8' cross-section, to make room for the additional equipment. The AEW Nimrod programme to provide the RAF with an AWACS aircraft was a failure, but the basic aircraft proved a very effective ASW platform. Type: Nimrod MR.1 Function: reconaissance / ASW Year: 1969 Crew: 12 Engines: 4 *54kN R.R. RB168-20 Spey 250 Wing Span: 35.00m Length: 38.63m Height: 9.98m Wing Area: 197.04m2 Empty Weight: 39009kg Max.Weight: 87090kg Speed: 926km/h Ceiling: 13000m Range: 9265km Armament: 6120kg Nomad, Northrop RAF name for the U.S. A-17 attack aircraft. Norn, Hawker Renamed Nimrod. (biplane). --O-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Osprey, Hawker Reconaissance-fighter development of the Hart biplane bomber. About 130 built. Type: Osprey Mk.III Function: fighter Year: 1932 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 470kW R.R. Kestrel II Wing Span: 11.28m Length: 8.94m Height: 3.17m Wing Area: 31.50m2 Empty Weight: 1545kg Max.Weight: 2245kg Speed: 270km/h Ceiling: 7165m Range: Armament: Overstrand, Boulton-Paul Twin-engined biplane bomber, development of the Sidestrand. The Overstrand was the first RAF bomber with a fully enclosed, powered gun turret, in the nose. It also had an enclosed cockpit for the pilot, and could carry 50% more bombs. 24 built. Type: Overstrand Function: bomber Year: 1934 Crew: 5 Engines: 2 * 432kW Bristol Peagsus IIM.3 Wing Span: 21.95m Length: 14.02m Height: 4.72m Wing Area: 91.04m2 Empty Weight: 3600kg Max.Weight: 5443kg Speed: 246km/h Ceiling: 6680m Range: 880km Armament: 726kg 3*mg7.7mm Oxford, Airspeed A.S. 10 Twin-engined monoplane trainer developed form the Envoy civil transport. The 4411 Oxfords built, mostly during WWII, also served as light transports and liaison aircraft. 8751 built. Type: Oxford Mk. I Function: crew trainer Year: 1938 Crew: 3 Engines: 2 * 335hp Armstrong Cheetah X Speed: 291km/h Ceiling: 5850m Range: 1545km Armament: --P-------------------------------------------------------------------------- P4/34, Fairey Single-engined day bomber intended as successor to the Battle. Smaller and more refined. No production, but it was the basis for the Fulmar. P.46, Percival See Youngman-Baynes P.92/P2, Boulton-Paul Half-scale testbed for a projected fighter with cannon armament and two R.R. Vulture engines. The P.92 would have had a gun turret with four 20mm cannon. P.111, Boulton-Paul Small delta-wing research aircraft with a flat elliptical fuselage. Wing tips and the fin tip could be removed to test several configurations. One built. Type: P.111A Function: experimental Year: 1950 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 2313kg R.R. Nene 3 R.N.2 Wing Span: 10.21m Length: 7.95m Height: 3.82m Wing Area: 18.58m2 Empty Weight: 2948kg Max.Weight: 4354kg Speed: M0.98 Ceiling: Range: Armament: P.120, Boulton-Paul Development of the P.111 with a high-set triangular tailplane. This was the configuration of the Gloster Javelin, and the P.120 was built to test it. The P.120 was considered pleasnt to fly, in contrast to the 'twitchy' P.111. P.531, Saunders-Roe Prototype of the Westland Scout. P.1040, Hawker Prototype of the Sea Hawk. 22.21kN R.R. Nene engine. P.1052, Hawker A swept-wing test aircraft, using the Sea Hawk fuselage with a new wing. Two built. Type: P1052 Function: experimental Year: 1948 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 22.21kN R.R. Nene RN2 Speed: 1097km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: P.1072, Hawker One built. Modified P.1040 wit a rocket engine in the extreme tail. Type: P.1072 Function: fighter Year: 1950 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 8.89kN Armstrong Siddeley Snarler 1 * 5000lb R.R. Nene Mk.2 Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: 4*g20mm P.1081, Hawker A modification of the second P1052, with a straight-trough jet pipe. One built. Type: P1081 Function: experimental Year: 1950 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * R.R. Nene Speed: M 0.98 Ceiling: Range: Armament: P.1127, Hawker The P.1127 was a VTOL technology demonstrator aircraft. The P.1127 had a relatively low-powered Bristol BE 53 engine, precursor of the R.R. Pegasus, and a small delta wing. Four built. Type: P.1127 Function: experimental Year: 1960 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 11300lb Bristol BE53 Wing Span: Length: Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: P.1154, Hawker Proposed supersonic VTOL strike fighter, designed in reply to a 1960 NATO requirement. Cancelled in 1964. Panther, Parnall Humpbacked shipboard reconaissance aircraft. It was fitted with flotation bags and a hydrovane. The fuselage was folded to starboard for storage. Type: Panther Function: reconaissance Year: 1920 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 230hp Bentley BR2 Speed: 108mph Ceiling: 14500ft Range: Armament: 1*mg7.7mm Partridge, Boulton Paul The Partidge had a slightly assymetrical fuselage and angular constant-chord wings to simplify construction. Prototype only. Type: Partridge Function: fighter Year: 1927 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * Speed: 270km/h Ceiling: 8850m Range: Armament: P.B.23, Pemberton-Billing Single-seat pusher biplane. Type: P.B.23E Function: fighter Year: 1915 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 80hp Le Rhone Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: 1*mg7.7mm P.B.25, Pemberton-Billing Known as the Scout. P.B.29, Pemberton-Billing Twin-engined quadruplane, intended for anti-airship patrols at night. One built. Type: P.B.29E Function: fighter Year: 1915 Crew: 3 Engines: 2 * 90hp Austro-Daimler Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: 1*mg7.7mm P.B.31, Pemberton-Billing Sea Nighthawk. Pembroke, Hunting Percival Small twin-engined high-wing transport aircraft. The RAF bought 44, and six that were equipped for cartography. Type: Pembroke Function: transport Year: 1953 Crew: Engines: 2 * 405kW Alvis Leonides Speed: Ceiling: Range: Load: 8 seats Perth, Blackurn Development of the Iris. It was the largest biplane flying boat to serve with the RAF. The Perth had a closed cockpit and a more corrosion-resistant fuselage. Four built. Type: Perth Function: reconaissance Year: 1934 Crew: 5 Engines: 3 * 825hp R.R. Buzzard IIMS Wing Span: 29.57m Length: 21.34m Height: 8.06m Wing Area: 233.27m2 Empty Weight: 9492kg Max.Weight: 17237kg Speed: 212km/h Ceiling: 3505m Range: 2414km Armament: 1*g37mm 3-4*mg7.7mm b907kg Peto, Parnall Shipboard aircraft for submarines, developed in the 1920s. Phantom, McDonnell Douglas The F-4M and F-4K were developments of the F-4 Phantom II for the RN using many British parts, including the R.R. Spey engines. The Spey is larger than the J-79 and this results in a generally inferior performance. Phoenix, Heston Type: Phoenix Function: liaison Year: Crew: Engines: 1 * 150kW D.H. Gipsy Six II Speed: 241km/h Ceiling: 4700m Range: 805km Load: 4 seats Pike, Avro 523 Twin-engined escort and anti-airship fighter. Two built. Type: Pike Function: fighter Year: Crew: 3 Engines: 2 * 150hp Sunbeam Speed: 156km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Pintail, Fairey Amphibious two-seat fighter-reconaissance aircraft. Only three were built. the Pintail had a very deep fuselage, filling the gadp between the wings. Type: Pintail Function: fighter Year: Crew: 2 Engines: Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Pipit, Parnall Shipboard fighter. A neat all-metal biplane, but both prototypes were lost as result of flutter. Type: Pipit Function: fighter Year: 1929 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 495hp R.R. F.XI Speed: 278km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Pioneer, Scotish Aviation Prestwick Small high-wing STOL aircraft. The RAF used around 40 of them. Type: Pioneer 2 Function: transport Year: 1950 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 520hp Alvis Leonides 501/3 Speed: 195km/h Ceiling: 7010m Range: 675km Load: 4 seats Pitcairn-Larsen PA-39 U.S. built autogiro. Seven ordered by the RAF. Type: PA-39 Function: Year: Crew: Engines: 1 * 175hp Warner Super Scarab 165D Speed: 100mph Ceiling: Range: Armament: Plover, Parnall Single-seat shipboard fighter. Only 18 built before it was superseded by the superior Flycachter. Type: Plover Function: fighter Year: 1923 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 320kW Bristol Jupiter Speed: 228km/h Ceiling: 7000m Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Prawn, Parnall Small flying boat built in 1930. The Prawn used a redundant engine for the R101 airship, placed in the bow; to have enough water clearance the engine was rotated slightly upward for take-off. Prentice, Percival Monoplane trainer, replacing the Tiger Moth in 1946. More than 300 built, despite poor handling characteristics that were never totally remedied. Type: Prentice T.1 Function: trainer Year: 1946 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 251HP D.H. Gipsy Queen 32 Speed: 230km/h Ceiling: 5490m Range: 637km Prince, Pembroke Called Pembroke in RAF service; see there. Proctor, Percival Liaison and training aircraft. Low-wing monoplane with fixed landing gear. Type: Proctor Mk. IV Function: liaison Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 208hp D.H. Gipsy Queen Speed: 256km/h Ceiling: 4270m Range: 800km Load: 3 seats Provost, Percival Low-wing monoplane trainer with fixed landing gear. The Provost replaced the Prentice as as basic trainer. 461 built. Type: Provost T.1 Function: trainer Year: 1950 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 550hp Alvis Leonides 126 Wing Span: 10.72m Length: 8.74m Height: 3.72m Wing Area: 19.88m2 Empty Weight: 1520kg Max.Weight: 1996kg Speed: 322km/h Ceiling: 7620m Range: 1040km Pterodcatyl V, Hill - Westland Two-seat fighter prototype. The Pterodactyl was a tailless sesquiplane. One built. Type: Pterodactyl V Function: fighter Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 440kW R.R.. Goshawk Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Puma, Aerospatiale/Westland SA330 Tactical transport helicopter. Type: SA330L Function: transport helicopter. Year: Crew: Engines: Turbomeca Turmo IVC Speed: 271km/h Ceiling: Range: 572km Load: 16 seats Pup, Sopwith Single-seat fighter, forerunner of the Camel. 1770 built. Type: Pup Function: fighter Year: 1916 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 80hp Le Rhone 9C Speed: 179km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 1*mg7.7mm Puss Moth, de Havilland D.H.80 High-wing cabin monoplane. About 284 built. Type: Puss Moth Function: liaison Year: 1930 Crew: 2-3 Engines: 1 * 88kW D.H. Gipsy III Wing Span: 11.20m Length: 7.62m Height: 2.13m Wing Area: 20.62m2 Empty Weight: 574kg Max.Weight: 930kg Speed: 206km/h Ceiling: 5300m Range: 480km Armament: P.V.2, Port Victoria Sesquiplane anti-airship fighter. The upper wing was at shoulder-height of the circular fuselage, the lower wing was halfway the floats and the fuselage. One built. Type: P.V.2 Function: fighter Year: 1916 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 100hp Gnome Monosoupape Speed: 153km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 1*g P.V.2bis, Port Victoria Fighter development of the P.V.2. The upper wing was raised to above the fuselage. One built. Type: P.V.2bis Function: fighter Year: 1917 Crew: 1 Engines: Speed: 150km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 1*mg7.7mm PV3, Hawker Development of the Fury biplane with the R.R. Goshawk engine. Its performance was insufficient. One built. Type: PV3 Function: fighter Year: 1934 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 700hp R.R. Goshawk B41 Speed: 224mph Ceiling: Range: Armament: 4*mg7.7mm P.V.4, Port Victoria Pusher sesquiplane on floats, with the gunner in the front cockpit. Unsatisfactory. One built. Type: P.V.4 Function: fighter Year: 1917 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 110hp Clerget Speed: 130km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 1*mg7.7mm P.V.5, Port Victoria Single-seat fighter seaplane. Development of the P.V.2bis. One built. Type: P.V.5 Function: fighter Year: 1917 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 150hp Hispano-Suiza Speed: 151km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 1*mg7.7mm 2*b30kg P.V.5a, Port Victoria Single-seat fighter seaplane. A more conventional design than the P.V.5. One built. Type: P.V.5a Function: fighter Year: 1918 Crew: 1 Engines: 1* 200hp Hispano-Suiza Speed: 164km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: P.V.7, Port Victoria Very small single-seat fighter, intended as a shipboard anti-airship fighter. Inadequate performance and the A.B.C. Gnat was (of course) a unreliable engine. Type: P.V.7 Function: fighter Year: 1917 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 35hp A.B.C. Gnat Speed: 143km:h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 1*mg7.7mm P.V.8, Port Victoria Design competing with the P.V.7. It was much better than the P.V.7, but the engine was the same troublesome A.B.C. Gnat. Type: P.V.8 Function: fighter Year: 1917 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 35hp A.B.C. Gnat Speed: 151km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 1*mg7.7mm P.V.9, Port Victoria Sequiplane single-seat fighter seaplane. In May 1918 it was considered to best seaplane fighter available, but there was no service requirement for it. Type: P.V.9 Function: fighter Year: 1917 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 150hp Bentley B.R.1 Speed: 177km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm --Q-------------------------------------------------------------------------- --R-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ram, Royal Aircraft Factory A.E.3 See A.E.3. Rangoon, Short Reconaissance version of the civil Calcutta biplane flying boat. Type: Rangoon Function: reconaissance Year: 1931 Crew: Engines: 3 * Speed: 185km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: R.E.5, Royal Aircraft Factory Biplane reconaissance aircraft, unarmed and slow. Type: R.E.5 Function: reconaissance Year: 1914 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 120hp Beardmore Speed: 125km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 27kg R.E.7, Royal Aircraft Factory Biplane bomber and reconaissance aircraft. 250 built. Type: R.E.7 Function: bomber Year: 1915 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 150hp RAF 4a Speed: 137km/h Ceiling: 1980m Range: Armament: 1*mg7.7mm, 152kg R.E.8, Royal Aircraft Factory Reconaissance biplane. The R.E.8 had a lot of bad characteristics and few good ones, sturdiness being one of the latter. Nevertheless used in large numbers. 4077 built. Type: R.E.8 Function: reconaissance Year: 1916 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 110kW R.A.F. Speed: 165km/h Ceiling: 4100m Range: Armament: 2-3*mg7.7mm 120kg Reliant, Stinson The U.S. built Stinson Reliant high-wing liaison aircraft. Ripon, Blackburn Carrier-borne torpedo-bomber and reconaissance aircraft, development of the Swift/Dart/Velos family. The Ripon was a conventional biplane. 123 built. Type: Ripon IIA Function: reconaissance Year: 1928 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 425kW Napier Lion XIA Wing Span: 13.67m Length: 11.2m Height: 3.91m Wing Area: 63.45m2 Empty Weight: 1930kg Max.Weight: 3359kg Speed: 203km/h Ceiling: 3050m Range: 1705km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 690kg Roc, Blackburn B-25 Fighter development of the Skua, armed with a four-gun turret. This shipboard equivalent to the Defiant suffered not only from a bad tactical concept but also from having riduculous performance for a fighter. After a few months it was relegated to training duties. 136 built. Type: Roc Function: fighter Year: 1940 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 665kW Bristol Perseus XII Wing Span: 14.02m Length: 10.85m Height: 3.68m Wing Area: 28.8m2 Empty Weight: 2278kg Max.Weight: 3606kg Speed: 315km/h Ceiling: 5400m Range: 1300km Armament: 4*mg7.7mm 110kg Rota, Cierva Autogiros of the Cierva C30 and C40 series used by the RAF during WWII. One of their functions was radar calibration. 178 built. Type: Rota Function: autogiro Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 140hp Armstrong Siddeley Genet Major IA Speed: 177km/h Ceiling: 2440m Range: 465km Armament: Rotabuggy, Hafner A tail and a rotor were fitted to a jeep, and the whole contraption was towed into air. It was never released from its towing aircraft, because of stability problems. Nevertheless, plans were made to fit a rotor to a Valentine tank! Type: Rotabuggy Function: glider Year: 1942 Crew: 1 Speed: 240km/h Rotaplane, Hafner Glider rotaplane, carrying one armed paratrooper. Never used. Type: Rotaplane Function: rotor glider Year: Crew: 1 Engines: none Speed: 150km/h Ceiling: Range: R.R.F. 25, Robey Peters Large biplane 'aircruiser' for anti-airship patrol. Two nacelles were fitted under the upper wing, for two gunners. the port nacelle had a 7.7mm Lewis and the starboard nacelle a big 2lb Davis recoilless gun. Two built. Type: R.R.F 25 Function: fighter Year: 1916 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 250hp R.R. Eagle Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: 1*mg7.7mm 1*g2lb --S-------------------------------------------------------------------------- S.1, Martinsyde Observation biplane. Considered inferior to the Bristol Scout and Sopwith Tabloid, but used until 1915. Around 60 built. Type: S.1 Function: reconaissance Year: 1914 Crew: Engines: 1 * 60kW Gnome Speed: 153km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: S2A, Bristol Two-seat development of the Bristol Scout. Few built. Used as trainers. S9/30, Fairey Reconaissance aircraft, 1934. S.18, Short All-metal, gull-wing flying boat. The S.18 was more modern than its biplane competitors, but the R.R. Goshawk engine may have contributed to its demise. One built. Type: S.18 Function: reconaissance Year: 1933 Crew: 5 Engines: 2 * R.R. Goshawk VIII Speed: 241km/h Ceiling: 4450m Range: 1370km Armament: 3*mg7.7mm b454kg S.26, Short Development of the civil Empire flying-boat; three built. One survived WWII. Type: S.26 Function: reconaissance / transport. Year: 1939 Crew: 5-7 Engines: 4 * 1015kW Bristol Hercules IV Speed: 290km/h Ceiling: 6100m Range: 5150km Armament: S.31, Short This was a half-scale flying model of the Stirling, powered by Niagara Pobjoy IV engines. S.81, Short Float biplane with a pusher engine. Sage 1 Biplane bomber Type: Function: Year: Crew: Engines: 2 * 190hp R.R. Speed: 93mph Ceiling: Range: Armament: Sage 2 A very small two-seat fighter with an eclosed cockpit. The cockpit was a fairing between the fuselage and the upper wing. A hole in the upper wing allowed the observer to use his gun while standing. One built. Type: Sage 2 Function: fighrer Year: 1916 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 100hp Gnome Monosoupape Speed: 180km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Sage 3 Biplane trainer. Type: Sage 3 Function: Year: 1916 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 75hp R.R. Hawk Speed: 72mph Ceiling: Range: Armament: Sage 4 Patrol seaplane. Type: Sage 4a Function: reconaissance Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 150hp Hispano Speed: 93mph Ceiling: Range: Armament: Salamander, Sopwith Ground attack development of the Camel/Snipe, with little structural commonality with either. 419 built, but these were never assigned to active service. Type: TF2 Salamander Function: attack Year: 1918 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 170kW Bentley BR2 Speed: 201km/h Ceiling: 4000m Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 4*b11kg Sarafand, Short Big biplane flying boat. One built. Type: Sarafand Function: patrol Year: 1932 Crew: 10 Engines: 6 * 825hp R.R. Bussard Speed: 250km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: S.B.3, Short ASW aircraft. S.B.5, Short The S.B.5. was actually a low-speed flying model of the Lightning Mach 2 fighter, built to investigate the aerodynamics of the 60 degrees swept wing and tail configuration of the latter. The S.B.5 was flown with 50, 60 and 69 degrees wing sweep, with and without drooped leading edge, with a T-tail and a low-set tailplane. It was rather ugly, had a fixed undercarriage and was seriously undepowered, but contributed significantly to research. Type: S.B.5 Function: experimental Year: 1952 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 3500lb R.R. Derwent 8 Speed: Ceiling: Range: S.C.1, Short An experimental VTOL aircraft. The S.C.1 was built as light as possible; it had a short, fat fuselage and a delta wing. Five RB-108 engines were fitted, one for horizontal propulsion and four as lift engines. Two built. Type: S.C.1 Function: experimental Year: 1957 Crew: 1 Engines: 5 * 906kg R.R. RB-108 Wing Span: 23ft 6in Length: 25ft 6in Height: Wing Area: Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Scapa, Supermarine Biplane flying boat, an all-metal development of the Southampton. 14 built. Type: Scapa Function: reconaissance Year: 1935 Crew: Engines: 2 * 391kW R.R. Kestrel IIIS Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Schneider, Sopwith A development of the Tabloid. Single-seat float biplane armed with an upward-angled gun. Used by the anti-airship defence, also carried aboard light cruisers. 136 built. Type: Schneider Function: fighter Year: 1914 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 100hp Gnome Monosoupape Speed: 143km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Scimitar, Armstrong-Whitworth A.W.35 Single-seat biplane fighter. Five built. Type: Scimitar Function: fighter Year: 1934 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 540kW Armstrong Siddeley Panther XI Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm b Scimitar, Supermarine 525 Naval fighter, a swept-wing development of the model 508 and 529. Only 75 production aircraft were built; they remained in service until 1969. Type: Scimitar F Mk.1 Function: fighter Year: 1958 Crew: 1 Engines: 2 * 5100kg R.R. Avon RA28 Mk.202 Wing Span: 11.33m Length: 16.84m Height: 5.28m Wing Area: 45.05m2 Empty Weight: Max.Weight: Speed: 1186km/h Ceiling: 14020m Range: 2290km Armament: 4*g20mm 48*r 3620kg Scooter, Sopwith Single-engined parasol monoplane. Scout, Alcock A.1 Single-seat fighter biplane designed by John Alcock, better known as the pilot of the first transatlantic flight in 1919. Scout, Bristol Single-seat biplane, used until 1916 as reconaissance arcraift and fighter, in the last role with a synchronized gun. Early in the war the RFC units were not homogenous; instead, most units had a few Scouts. Type: Scout D Function: reconaissance Year: 1915 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 60kW Le Rhone Wing Span: 8.33m Length: 6.02m Height: 2.59m Wing Area: 18.59m2 Empty Weight: 345kg Max.Weight: 567kg Speed: 161km/h Ceiling: 4900m Range: Armament: 1*mg7.7mm Scout, Parnall Single-seat anti-airship fighter. The single gun fired 45 degrees upwards. Two built. Type: Scout Function: fighter Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 260hp Sunbeam Maori Speed: 182km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Scout, Pemberton-Billing P.B.25 Pusher biplane, a development of the P.B.23. Poor performance, bad flying characteristics, outdated concept. Twenty built. Type: P.B.25 Function: fighter Year: 1917 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 100hp Gnome Monosoupape Speed: 143km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 1*mg7.7mm Scout, Westland Utility and anti-tank helicopter. Ow in service for over 30 years. Type: Scout Function: utility Year: 1961 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 505kW R.R. Bristol Nimbus Speed: 210km/h Ceiling: 5200m Range: 510km Load: 4 seats S.E.2, Royal Aircraft Factory Single-seat scout, a development of the unarmed B.S.1. Used until 1915. One built. Type: S.E.2 Function: fighter Year: 1914 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 60kW Gnome Speed: 137km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*rifle S.E.4, Royal Aircraft Factory Biplane fighter, a streamlined aircraft with many advanced features. Type: S.E.4 Function: fighter Year: 1914 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 100hp Gnome Monosoupape Speed: 210km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: S.E.4a, Royal Aircraft Factory Biplane fighter, unrelated to the S.E.4. Four built. Type: S.E.4a Function: Year: 1915 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 80 hp Gnome Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: S.E.5, Royal Aircraft Factory A development of the less succesful S.E.5, the S.E.5a was probably the best British fighter of WWI. Armament consisted of one Vicker gun on the engine cowling and one Lewis gun on the upper wing, probably representing the two competing ideas about fighter armament in the RFC. 5205 built. Type: S.E.5a Function: fighter Year: 1917 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 150kW Wolseley Viper W4A Speed: 225km/h Ceiling: 5950m Range: 550km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Sea Balliol, Boulton-Paul Navalized Balliol. About 30 built. Sea Devon, de Havilland D.H.104 Version of the De Havilland Dove for the Royal Navy. Seafang, Supermarine Naval derivative of the Spiteful. 18 built, some of which were never flown. Type: Seafang F. Mk. 32 Function: fighter Year: 1946 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * R.R. Griffon 89 Wing Span: 10.67m Length: 10.30m Height: 3.82m Wing Area: 19.51m2 Empty Weight: 3629kg Max.Weight: 4740kg Speed: 764km/h Ceiling: 12500m Range: 1170km Armament: 4*g20mm Seafire, Supermarine Naval development of the Spitfire. The Seafire was not the ideal carrier fighter and especially landings were difficult; but its performance compensated the disadvantages. The Seafire had a short range, but its fast climb and agility made it a very good fleet defense fighter. The last Seafire version Mk 47 was used in the Korean war, and retired in 1952. Type: Seafire Mk. IIC Function: fighter Year: 1942 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 1340hp R.R. Merlin 45 Speed: 536km/h Ceiling: 9750m Range: 1215km Armament: 4*g20mm, 4*mg7.7mm Type: Seafire F Mk. 47 Function: fighter Year: 1947 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 2350hp R.R. Griffon 88 Wing Span: 11.25m Length: 10.46m Height: 3.88m Wing Area: 22.63m2 Empty Weight: 3938kg Max.Weight: 5742kg Speed: 727km/h Ceiling: 13135m Range: 1515km Armament: 4*g20mm 3*b227kg Seaford, Short S-45 Enlarged development of the Sunderland. Type: Seaford Function: patrol Year: Crew: Engines: 4 * Bristol Hercules 100 Speed: 389km/h Ceiling: 3960m Range: 4980km Armament: 2*g20mm 6*mg12.7mm 4*mg7.7mm Seafox, Fairey Biplane floatplane, a catapult aircraft carried by cruisers. 64 built. Used until 1943. Type: Seafox Function: reconaissance Year: 1937 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 395hp Napier Rapier VI Wing Span: 12.19m Length: 10.81m Height: 3.68m Wing Area: 40.32m2 Empty Weight: 1726kg Max.Weight: 2458kg Speed: 200km/h Ceiling: 3350m Range: 708km Armament: 1*mg7.7mm Sea Fury, Hawker Carrier fighter derivative of the Fury monoplane. It was soon decided to use the Sea Fury as a fighter-bomber, the Seafire F.47 having taken the role of interceptor. Sea Furies flew many attack sorties in the Korean War, and one became the first piston-engined fighter to shoot down a MiG-15! It was also sold to the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, Cuba Burma, and Pakistan. Type: Sea Fury FB Mk.11 Function: fighter Year: 1948 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 1880kW Bristol Centaurus 18 Wing Span: 11.70m Length: 10.57m Height: 4.84m Wing Area: 26.01m2 Empty Weight: 4191kg Max.Weight: 5670kg Speed: 736km/h Ceiling: 11000m Range: 1225km Armament: 4*g20mm 907kg Sea Gladiator, Gloster Naval adaptation of the Gladiator. For some time, the RN had no own air arm; the RAF provided shipboard aircraft, often adapted land aircraft. Not that the FAA (Fleet Air Arm), when reestablished, showed much more imagination. Seagull, Supermarine Biplane reconaissance amphibian. The type was unsatisfactory, but the Seagull V development earned fame under the name of Walrus. The commonality between the two aircraft was almost nil, the Seagull having an open cockpit, six sets of wings struts, a liquid-cooled tractor engine, and a round fuselage cross-section. Type: Seagull III Function: observation Year: 1921 Crew: Engines: 1 * 335kW Napier Lion V Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Seagull, Supermarine Single-engined, monoplane amphibian. The Seagull was a remarkably clean design. The Griffon engine was mounted on a pylon, that also carried the wing and incorporated a coolant radiator and a cockpit for the observer. The tailpane was strongly dihedralled and had three fins. Two built. Type: Seagull Function: reconaissance Year: 1948 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 1353kW R.R. Griffon 29 Wing Span: Length: Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: 6999kg Speed: 418km/h Ceiling: Range: 1230km Armament: Sea Harrier, BAe Naval version for the Harrier for use on small carriers. The Sea Harrier is a multi-role aircraft, more suitable for air-to-air combat than the Harrier. The most visible change is the addition of air-to-air radar in the nose (Blue Fox in the Mk.1, Blue Vixen in the Mk.2). The Sea Harrier played a decisive role in the 1982 Falkland war. Type: Sea Harrier FRS.1 Function: fighter Year: 1980 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 95.6kN R.R. Pegasus 104 Wing Span: 7.70m Length: 14.50m Height: 3.71m Wing Area: 18.68m2 Empty Weight: 5897kg Max.Weight: 11884kg Speed: 185km/h Ceiling: 15250m Range: Armament: 3630kg Sea Hawk, Hawker Elegantly streamlined straight-wing jet fighter for carriers. The Sea Hawk had air intakes in the wing roots. The jet pipe was bifurcated to create more room in the aft fuselage, with jet nozzles just aft of the wing. The Sea Hawk was built for the Royal Navy, the Dutch MLD and the German Marineflieger, and India. Type: Sea Hawk FGA Mk.6 Function: fighter-bomber Year: 1948 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 2449kg R.R. Nene 103 Wing Span: 11.89m Length: 12.09m Height: 2.64m Wing Area: 25.83m2 Empty Weight: 4409kg Max. Weight: 7348kg Speed: 969km/h Ceiling: 13600m Range: 2250km Armament: 4*g20mm 910kg Sea Hornet, de Havilland D.H. 98 Naval fighter derivative of the Hornet. The two-seat nightfighter version had a most remarkable pointed nose. Type: Sea Hornet NF Mk. 21 Function: fighter Year: 1946 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 1495kW R.R. Merlin 134/135 Speed: 690km/h Ceiling: 12800m Range: 2400km Armament: 4*g20mm 2*b454kg Sea Hurricane, Hawker Naval fighter derivative of the Hurricane. The Mk.I were not flown from carriers, but catapult-launched from so-called CAM ships to give convoys some protection against German Fw 200 reconaissance aircraft; the aircraft was then of course lost after landing on the sea. Unofficially these were known as 'Hurricats'. Later models were capable carriers fighters, but lacked the performance to combat the best land-based fighters. Type: Sea Hurricane Mk. IIC Function: fighter Year: 1942 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 1435hp R.R. Merlin XX Wing Span: 12.19m Length: 9.83m Height: 3.99m Wing Area: 23.92m2 Empty Weight: 2667kg Max.Weight: 3674kg Speed: 550km/h Ceiling: 10940m Range: 1460km Armament: 4*g20mm Sea King, Westland Westland licence-builds the Sikorsky SH-3 helicopter, and also produces its own developments. Also the engines are developments of the G.E. T58 installed in the SH-3. Typical for British-built Sea Kings is the radar bulge on top of the fuselage, behind the engines and rotor mast. Type: Sea King HAS Mk.5 Function: ASW Year: 1961 Crew: 5 Engines: 2 * 1238kW R.R. Gnome H.1400-1 Rotor Span: 18.90m Length: 22.15m Height: 4.85m Disc Area: 280.59m2 Empty Weight: 6201kg Max.Weight: 9525kg Speed: 208km/h Ceiling: 3000m Range: 1230km Load: 22 seats, 2948kg Seal, Fairey Version of the Gordon for the FAA. Sea Mosquito, de Havilland Naval adaptation of the Mosquito with folding wings and new landing gear. No prodcution. Type: Sea Mosquito TR Mk.33 Function: fighter-bomber Year: 1944 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 1635hp R.R. Merlin 25 Speed: 608km/h Ceiling: Range: 2690km Armament: 4*g20mm 4*b500lb 8*r60lb Seamew, Curtiss The SO3C-2C reconaissance floatplane in British service. Seamew, Short Light ASW aircraft, 1953. A mid-wing monoplane with fixed landing gear and a blunt nose, providing good visibility. Sea Otter, Supermarine Biplane amphibian for reconaissance and SAR. The Sea Otter was the last biplane to enter RAF service, and the only one to do so during WWII. 290 built. Type: Sea Otter Function: reconaissance Year: 1944 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 870hp Bristol Mercury 30 Speed: 241km/h Ceiling: 4900m Range: 1200km Armament: 3*mg7.7mm Sea Prince, Percival Navy version of the Pembroke. Sea Vampire, de Havilland Naval development of the Vampire. In 1949 the RN experimented with belly landings to shorten landing runs, using specially reinforced aircraft. Sea Venom, de Havilland Naval version of the Venom. Type: Sea Venom FAW Mk.22 Function: fighter Year: 1959 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 2402kg De Havilland Ghost 105 Wing Span: 13.08m Length: 11.15m Height: 2.60m Wing Area: 25.99m2 Empty Weight: Max.Weight: 7167kg Speed: 927km/h Ceiling: 12040m Range: Armament: 4*g20mm 8*r27kg Sea Vixen, de Havilland D.H. 110 Twin-engined swept-wing naval jet fighter. The Sea Vixen had twin tail booms, an asymmetrically placed cockpit and other oddities. It had been originally designed as a land-based all-weather fighter, was rejected by the RAF but adopted by the Royal Navy. 146 built. Type: Sea Vixen F(AW) Mk.2 Function: fighter Year: 1964 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 4540kg R.R. Avon 208 Wing Span: 15.54m Length: 17.02m Height: 3.28m Wing Area: 60.2m2 Empty Weight: Max.Weight: 18858kg Speed: 1110km/h Ceiling: 14600m Range: 1600km Armament: 28*r 1350kg Sedbergh, Slingsby T.21 Two-seat training seaplane. The Sedbergh was a a parasol wing aircraft with side-by-side seating. Designed during the war, it was rejected by the Air Ministry; but a redesigned model entered service with Air Training Command in 1947. 218 built. Type: Sedbergh Mk.1 Function: glider trainer Year: 1947 Crew: 2 Engines: none Wing Span: 54ft Length: 26ft 9in Height: Wing Area: 260.5ft2 Empty Weight: 600lb Max.Weight: 1050lb Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Sentry, Boeing The Boeing E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft. The RAF initially wanted to have an indigenous AEW aircraft, a development of the Nimrod. But the avionics development failed, and the Sentry was chosen. Shackleton, Avro 696 Development of the Lincoln for maritime reconaissance. Last RAF combat aircraft with piston engines. The RAF celebrated the 40th anniversary of the first flight of the Shackleton, in 1989, with a fly-past of five _operational_ Shackletons. The AEW version carried an AN/APS-20 radar, developed originally during WWII, and was finally replaced by the Boeing E-3 Sentry in 1991! 188 built. Type: Shackleton M.R.3 Function: recconaissance Year: 1955 Crew: 10 Engines: 4 * 2450hp R.R. Griffon 57A Speed: 486km/h Ceiling: 6100m Range: 6780km Armament: 2*g20mm, 4536kg Shark, Blackburn B-6 Torpedo-bomber and reconaissance biplane, operating as landplane (carrier-borne) and seaplane. Replacement by the Swordfish began in 1938, but a few were still in service in the beginning of WWII. 270 built. Type: Shark Mk.II Function: reconaissance / torpedo-bomber Year: 1935 Crew: 2-3 Engines: 1 * 567kW Armstrong Siddeley Tiger VI Empty Weight: 1832kg Max.Weight: 3651kg Speed: 241km/h Ceiling: 4875m Range: 1006km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 907kg Shetland, Short S-35 Big long-range flying boat, too late for service in WWII. Two built, the second of which was the prototype for a commercial version with 70 seats. Type: Shetland Function: patrol Year: 1944 Crew: Engines: 4 * 2500hp Bristol Centaurus XI Wing Span: 45.82m Length: 33.53m Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: Speed: 427km/h Ceiling: Range: 7440km Armament: 13619kg Shirl, Short Torpedo-bomber biplane. Large flotation bags were carried above the double mainwheels;in other respects it was a common biplane. Type: Shirl Function: 1918 Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 375hp R.R. Eagle VIII Speed: 99mph Ceiling: Range: Armament: Short 74 Two-seat carrier-borne floatplane. 18 built. Short 166 Biplane torpedo bomber. Type: 166 Function: Year: Crew: Engines: 1 * 130hp Salmson Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Short 184 The 184 was the first aircraft to sink a ship with a torpedo, in 1915. The 900 built were used durin the rest of WWI in a number of roles. Float biplane. Type: 184 Function: torpedo bomber Year: 1915 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 240hp Sunbeam Speed: 140km/h Ceiling: 2740m Range: Armament: 1*mg7.7mm, 118kg Short 320 Long-range torpedo-bomber biplane on floats. Used until the end of WWI. Only one crew member could be carried if a torpedo was fitted. Type: 320 Function: torpedo bomber Year: 1915 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 310hp Sunbeam Cossack Speed: 72mph Ceiling: 3000ft Range: Armament: 1*mg7.7mm 1*1000lb torpedo Short 827 Succesfull float biplane. Type: 827 Function: reconaissance - bomber Year: 1915 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 150hp Sunbeam Nubian Speed: 98km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 1*mg7.7mm b Short 830 Version of the 827. Short Bomber Landplane development of the 184. The 83 built were used from October 1916 until April 1917. Type: Bomber Function: bomber Year: 1916 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 250hp R.R. Eagle III Speed: 125km/h Ceiling: 2900m Range: Armament: 1*mg7.7mm, 410kg Shorts 330 Twin-engined, high-wing commuter aircraft. Used by a number of air forces as utility aircraft, including by the USAF (C-23). Type: 330-200 Function: transport Year: 1984 Crew: 3 Engines: 2 * 893kW P&WC PT6A-45R Wing Span: 22.76m Length: 17.69m Height: 4.95m Wing Area: 42.1m2 Empty Weight: 6680kg Max.Weight: 10387kg Speed: 352km/h Ceiling: Range: 1240km Freight: 3400kg, 30 seats Sidestrand, Boulton-Paul Twin-engined medium bomber biplane. The Sidestrand was a relatively clean biplane, with excellent handling. 20 built, of which three were converted to Sidestrand Mk.V, later renamed Overstrand. Type: Sidestrand III Function: bomber Year: 1928 Crew: 3-4 Engines: 2 * 35kW Bristol Jupiter VIIIF Wing Span: 21.92m Length: 14.02m Height: 4.52m Wing Area: 91.04m2 Empty Weight: 2726kg Max.Weight: 4627kg Speed: 225km/h Ceiling: 7315m Range: 805km Armament: 3*mg7.7mm b476kg Sidney, Blackburn Reconaissance flying boat, 1930. One built. Singapore, Short Twin-engined biplane flying boat. The Navy's first all-metal flyng boat. Type: Singapore Mk.III Function: reconaissance Year: 1935 Crew: Engines: 4 * 560hp R.R. Kestrel Speed: Ceiling: Range: 1610km Armament: Siskin, Armstron Withworth Sesquiplane fighter. The mk.III was completely redesigned, with an all-metal construction. Main RAF fighter in the late '20s, with nearly 350 built. Type: Siskin Mk IIIA Function: Fighter Year: 1925 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 420hp Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar IV Speed: 250km/h Ceiling: 8300m Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm, Skeeter, Cierva / Saunders-Roe / Westland Two-seat observation helicopter. 74 built. Type: Skeeter AOP Mk. 10 Function: observation Year: 1958 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 200hp D.H. Gipsy Major Speed: 162km/h Ceiling: Range: 260mls Armament: Skua, Blackburn B-24 A rugged monoplane dive bomber. Advanced in concept, it was nevertheless nearing obsolescence when it entered service. The Skua was a low-wing monoplane with a distinctive 'greenhouse' cockpit. Originally intended to act also as two-seat fighter, it was clearly unsuitable for that role. The German cruiser Koenigsberg had the dubious honour, on 10 April 1940, to be the first warship sunk by aircraft --- 16 Skuas. 192 built. Removed from first-line service in 1941. Type: Skua II Function: dive bomber Year: 1938 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 664kW Bristol Perseus XII Wing Span: 14.07m Length: 10.85m Height: 3.81m Wing Area: 28.98m2 Empty Weight: 2490kg Max.Weight: 3732kg Speed: 362km/h Ceiling: 5820m Range: 1220km Armament: 5*mg7.7mm 1*b227kg 8*b14kg Skyship 600, Westinghouse One airship bought by the RAF for testing. Snail, Sopwith Late WWI fighter prototype. The ABC Wasp engine was a failure, and the Snail was abandoned. Three built, two with conventional structure and one with a plywood monocoque fuselage. Type: Snail Function: fighter Year: 1918 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 170hp A.B.C. Wasp I Speed: 185km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2-3*mg7.7mm Snapper, Sopwith Late WWI fighter prototype, a biplane with an ABC Dragonfly engine. Three built. Last Sopwith fighter. Type: Snapper Function: fighter Year: 1919 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 320hp A.B.C Dragonfly I Speed: 225km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Snark, Sopwith Late WWI fighter prototype, a triplane with an ABC Dragonfly engine. Three built. Type: Snark Function: fighter Year: 1918 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 320hp A.B.C. Dragonfly I Speed: 209km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 6*mg7.7mm Snipe, Sopwith The Snipe was a replacement for the Camel, designed around the new Bentley BR.2 engine. The performance of the Snipe was not much better than that of the Camel, but it had improved handling and visibility. The 497 built became the most important British single-seat fighters, serving until the mid-twenties. Type: Snipe Function: fighter Year: 1918 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 230hp Bentley BR2 Speed: 195km/h Ceiling: 6000m Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 4*b11kg Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter The 1 1/2 Strutter was the first British fighter with a synchronized gun. It was used as bomber and reconaissance aircraft after its usefulness as fighter had disappeared. Around 1500 built in the UK, and alledgedly 4500 in France. Type: 1 1/2 Strutter Function: fighter Year: 1916 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 95kW Clerget Speed: 161km/h Ceiling: 4570m Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 60kg Sopwith 807 Floatplane. 75kW Gnome engine. Some were sent to Africa to attack the cruiser Koningsberg, but was unable to lift bombs or torpedos in the hot conditions. Southampton, Supermarine Biplane flying boat. Type: Southampton Mk.II Function: reconaissance Year: Crew: 5 Engines: 2 * 602hp Napier Lion Speed: 174km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 3*mg7.7mm b498kg Sparrow, Handley Page Transport version of the Harrow. Sparrowhawk, Gloucestershire Development of the Nieuport Nighthawk, sold to the Japanese Fleet. Type: Sparrowhawk I Function: fighter Year: 1921 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 170kW Bentley BR2 Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Spearfish, Fairey Monoplane torpedo bomber. The Spearfish was a large aircraft with an internal weapons bay, carrying a remotely-controlled gun turret. Five built. Type: Spearfish Function: torpedo bomber Year: 1946 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 2585hp Bristol Centaurus 57 Speed: 482km/h Ceiling: Range: 1440km Armament: 4*mg12.7mm 2000lbs Sperrin, Short The Sperrin was a very conventional bomber, and only considered as a backup design in case there would be trouble with the V-bombers. Two built. Type: Sperrin Function: bomber Year: Crew: Engines: 4 * 2950kg R.R. Avon RA-3 Speed: 910km:h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Spider, Avro 531 Biplane fighter. The Spider had a complex arrangement of V-struts, without bracing wires. It was a good fighter, but the Snipe was already in production. Type: Spider Function: fighter Year: 1918 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 180hp Bentley BR2 Speed: 193km/h Ceiling: 5970m Range: 400km Armament: 1*mg7.7mm Spiteful, Supermarine Supermarine's last piston-engined fighter, looking much like a Spitfire but completely redesigned, with a straight-tapered wing, wide-track undercarriage, and better visibility, but lacking the praised handling characterics of the Spitfire. Only 18 built. Type: Spiteful F Mk.14 Function: fighter Year: 1945 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * R.R. Griffon 69 Wing Span: 10.67m Length: 10.03m Height: 4.08m Wing Area: 19.51m2 Empty Weight: 3334kg Max.Weight: 4513kg Speed: 777km/h Ceiling: 12800m Range: 908km Armament: 4*g20mm Spitfire, Supermarine An uncompromised, fast and maneuvrable fighter. The remarkable thin elliptical wing made the Spitfire capable of very high speeds. It served as first-line fighter throughout WWII in increasingly fast and powerful versions, first with the Merlin, later with the Griffon engine. The Spitfire was continously changed to meet all kinds of treats and demands, as low- and high altitude fighter, tropicalized, navalized, or equipped as unarmed photo-reconaissance aircraft. Probably the most famous military aircraft ever. 20351 built. The RAF retired its last Spitfires -- PR Mk. 19 recce aircraft -- in 1954. Type: Spitfire Mk. I Function: fighter Year: 1938 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 1030hp R.R. Merlin II Wing Span: Length: Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: Speed: 571km/h Ceiling: 10360m Range: 805km Armament: 8*mg7.7mm Type: Spitfire Mk. IX Function: fighter Year: 1942 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 1565hp R.R. Merlin 61 Wing Span: 11.23m Length: 9.47m Height: 3.86m Wing Area: 22.48m2 Empty Weight: 2556kg Max.Weight: 4309kg Speed: 656km/h Ceiling: 13400m Range: 700km Armament: 2*g20mm 4*mg7.7mm Type: Spitfire Mk. XIV Function: fighter Year: 1944 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 2050hp R.R. Griffon 65 Wing Span: 11.23m Length: 9.96m Height: 3.86m Wing Area: 22.48m2 Empty Weight: 2994kg Max.Weight: 3856kg Speed: 721km/h Ceiling: 13560m Range: 1368km Armament: 2*g20mm 4*mg7.7mm b225kg Springbok, Shorts Two-seat all-metal biplane, ordered in 1922. The Springbok was intended as Army-cooperation aircraft for tropical climates. SR.53, Saunders-Roe Mixed power fighter. The SR.53 was intended as a point defence interceptor with a rocket engine for high performance and a small turbojet for cruise. The SR.53 had a cropped delta planform and a T-tail; the jet engine was placed above the rocket engine. It was felt that the SR.53 was too small to be practical, and the design was developed into the SR.177. Two built. Type: SR.53 Function: fighter Year: 1957 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 744kg Armstrong Siddeley Viper 1 * 3630kg D.H. Spectre HTP Speed: 2135km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament:b 2*msl SR.177, Saunders-Roe Mixed-power fighter, developed from the SR.53. Similar in planform, but with a much deeper fuselage. The jet engine was now placed under the rocket engine, and more powerful. Future looked good, with interest from the RAF, RN and Germany, when the 1957 defence White Paper cancelled the RAF version, and cancellation of the RN version by the Defence Minister four months later. Type: SR.177 Function: fighter Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * De Havilland Gyron Junior 1 * De Havilland Spectre Wing Span: Length: Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: SR.A/1, Saunders-Roe Jet-engined flying boat fighter. The requirement for such aircraft proved to be imaginary, but the SRA/1 had good performance, despite its bulkiness. Three built. Type: SRA/1 Function: fighter Year: 1947 Crew: 1 Engines: 2 * 1746kg Metropolitan-Vickers F2/4 Beryl Speed: 824km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 4*g20mm SS18, Gloster Prototype of the Gauntlet. SS19, Gloster More developed form of the SS18. SS37, Gloster Prototype of the Gladiator. S.S.A., Bristol Armoured version of the Scout, designed by Coanda for the French government. Pilot, fuel and oil tanks, and engine were protrected by a steel 'bathtub'. One built. 1914. Stag, de Havilland D.H.9AJ Multi-purpose biplane, 1926. Stanrear, Supermarine Development of the Southampton. 58 built. Type: Stanrear Function: reconaissance Year: Crew: Engines: 2 * 645kW Bristol Pegasus X Speed: 268km/h Ceiling: 5600m Range: 1600km Armament: 3*mg7.7mm 454kg Starling, Armstrong Whitworth 1927 fighter prototype. Stirling, Short S.29 First of the RAF's four-engined heavy bombers. Soon replaced by the Lancaster and Halifax, and used as targer tug. The shortcomings of the Stirling were mostly due to faulty specifications, e.g. the low operational ceiling was the consequence of letting the wing span be determined by the doors of the available hangars! The Stirling Mk.V was a transport version. 2375 built. Type: Stirling Mk. III Function: bomber Year: 1940 Crew: 7 Engines: 4 * 1640hp Bristol Hercules VI Speed: 435km/h Ceiling: 5200m Range: 3250km Armament: 8*mg7.7mm 8170kg Streamline Vickers See FB.9 Strikemaster, BAC 167 Development of the Jet Provost with enhanced ground-attack capability. The 167 carries a four times larger load than the Jet Provost. 146 were sold, most to third-world airforces. Type: Strikemaster Function: trainer / attack Year: 1968 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 1547kg R.R. Viper 535 Wing Span: 11.23m Length: 10.27m Height: 3.34m Wing Area: 19.85m2 Empty Weight: 2810kg Max.Weight: 5216kg Speed: 775km/h Ceiling: 13400m Range: 2225km Armament: 2*mg7.62mm 1360kg Sturgeon, Short Naval liaison and target tug aircraft. Originally intended as reconaissance bomber, but this requirement was dropped when WWII ended. Sunbeam, Short Reconaissance flyong boat. Sunderland, Short S-25 Long-range patrol flying boat, based on the pre-WWII series of civil 'Empire' flying boats. One of the most succesfull flying boats of WWII. 749 built. Type: Sunderland III Function: patrol Year: Crew: Engines: 4 * 1065hp Bristol Pegasus XVIII Speed: 336km/h Ceiling: 4880m Range: 2850km Armament: 8*mg7.7mm bombs, depth charges, etc. Supermarine 224 The predecessor of the Spitfire, and opposite to it in any way. The 224 was an heavy, ugly and dissapointing monoplane with a thick inverted gull wing and a trousered undercarriage. The importance of the 224 is that R.J. Mitchell learnt how NOT to design a fighter. One built. Type: 224 Function: fighter Year: 1934 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 600hp R.R. Goshawk III Wing Span: 13.97m Length: 8.97m Height: 3.63m Wing Area: 27.40m2 Empty Weight: 1552kg Max.Weight: 2151kg Speed: 367km/h Ceiling: 11825m Range: Armament: 4*mg7.7mm Supermarine 508 Test aircraft. The 508 had two jet engines, a straight wing and a V-tail. The 508 was a development of the unbuilt 505 design for a fighter without undercarriage, intended for belly landings on a 'flexible' carrier deck! One built. Type: 508 Function: experimental Year: 1951 Crew: 1 Engines: 2 * 2948kg R.R. Avon RA.3 Wing Span: Length: Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: (4*g20mm) Supermarine 510 Swept-wing test aircraft using the fuselage of the Attacker. Type: 510 Function: experimental Year: 1948 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 5100lb R.R. Nene Wing Span: 9.66m Length: 11.61m Height: 2.68m Wing Area: 25.36m2 Empty Weight: Max.Weight: 5534kg Speed: 982km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Supermarine 517 This was the 510, modified with a movable rear fuselage to vary the tail incidence. Supermarine 525 Swept-wing development of the 508/529. The 525 had 50 degrees wing sweep and a conventional tail. It was the precursor of the Scimitar. Type: 525 Function: experimental Year: 1954 Crew: 1 Engines: 2 * 7500lb R.R. Avon RA.7 Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Supermarine 528 Development of the 510. Supermarine 529 A slightly improved 508, in fact the modified second prototype of the 508. One built. Type: 529 Function: fighter Year: 1952 Crew: 1 Engines: 2 * 2948kg R.R. Avon RA3 Wing Span: 12.50m Length: Height: Wing Area: 31.59m2 Empty Weight: 9373kg Max.Weight: 10244kg Speed: 977km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: (4*g20mm) Supermarine 535 A modified 510 with a tricycle undercarriage and other refinements. Type: 535 Function: experimental Year: 1950 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * R.R. Nene Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Swallow, British Aircraft 134 built. Type: Swallow II Function: liaison Year: 1927 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 66kW Pobjoy Cataract III Speed: 180km/h Ceiling: 5180m Range: 675km Swallow, de Havilland DH-108 Tailless experimental swept-wing jet aircraft. The DH-108, flown by John Derry, was the British first aircraft to fly faster than the speed of sound -- against the will of its pilot. Geoffrey de Havilland had been killed in an earlier attempt. Type: Swallow Function: experimental Year: 1948 Crew: 1 Engines: Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Swallow, Sopwith Parasol monoplane, using the Camel fuselage with a new wing. Performance was inadequate; one built. Type: Swallow Function: fighter Year: 1918 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 110hp Le Rhone OJ Speed: 182km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Swift, Blackburn T.1 Single-seat torpedo bomber. Type: Swift Function: torpedo bomber Year: 1920 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 335kW Napier Lion IB Speed: 171km/h Ceiling: Range: 560mk Armament: Swift, Supermarine Fighter development of the Supermarine 535. The career of the Swift, the first British swept-wing jet fighter, was spoiled by handling and engine problems. The Swift F Mk.1 fighter was quickly abandoned by the RAF. Later around 50 FR Mk.5 photo-recce aircraft served a short period. The last version Swift Mk.7, armed with Fireflash AAMs was a very modern and effective weapons system, but only 12 were built. Total production 167. Type: Swift FR Mk.5 Function: reconaissance / fighter Year: 1952 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 4130kg R.R. Avon 108 Wing Span: 9.85m Length: 12.88m Height: 4.02m Wing Area: 30.44m2 Empty Weight: 6094kg Max.Weight: 9831kg Speed: 1148km/h Ceiling: 13960m Range: 1014km Armament: 2*g30mm 910kg Swordfish, Fairey By far the most succesful and famous biplane fighting aircraft of WWII. The 'Stringbag' served throughout the war as torpedo bomber, ASW aircraft, minelaying aircraft, ground attack aircraft and trainer, and was extremely succesfull, escpecially when writing history with the famous attack on Tarente, 11 November 1940. But of course the RN should never have gone to war with a biplane torpedo bomber! 2391 built. Type: Swordfish Mk. II Function: torpedo bomber Year: 1936 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 560kW Bristol Pegagus 30 Wing Span: 13.92m Length: 11.12m Height: 3.93m Wing Area: 56.39m2 Empty Weight: 2359kg Max.Weight: 4196kg Speed: 224km/h Ceiling: 3780m Range: 1240km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 730kg Sycamore, Bristol 171 Light helicopter, a fairly conventional design, suitable for many roles. Type: Sycamore HR.14 Function: 1951 Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 410kW Alvis Leonides 73 Rotor Span: 14.81m Length: 14.07m Height: 3.71m Disc Area: 172.22m2 Empty Weight: 1728kg Max.Weight: 2540kg Speed: 205km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 4 seats --T-------------------------------------------------------------------------- T1/37, Heston Trainer monoplane prototype. The bulky T1/37 was unsatisfactory. Two built. Type: T1/37 Function: Year: 1938 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 190hp D.H. Gipsy Queen Speed: 146mph Ceiling: Range: Armament: T.7B, Blackburn Carrier-borne torpedo bomber. Built by Mitsubishi as the B2M. T-VIII W, Fokker Twin-engined floatplane, designed as torpedo bomber for the Dutch Navy. After May 1940, some T-VIII W were flown to England and used, with Dutch crews, for sea reconaissance; others were in German service... Type: T-VIII W Function: torpedo bomber Year: 1940 Crew: 3-4 Engines: 2 * Wright R-975-E3 Speed: 285km/h Ceiling: 6800m Range: 2750m Armament: 2*mg7.9mm 600kg T.20, Slingbsy Parasol-wing, two-seat training glider. Tested by the RAF Training Command in 1944, but rejected. The single prototype was later fitted with research equipment, and towed behind the carriers Pretoria Castle and Illustrious to investigate the turbulence and airflow behind them. Type: T.20 Function: trainer Year: 1944 Crew: 2 Engines: 0 Wing Span: 54ft 6in Length: 24ft 3in Height: Wing Area: 290ft2 Empty Weight: 509lb Max.Weight: 1000lb Speed: Ceiling: T.24, Slingsby Parasol-wing, two-seat training glider. Three built. Type: T.24 Function: trainer Year: 1946 Crew: 2 Engines: 0 Wing Span: 54ft 4in Length: 28ft 8.5in Height: Wing Area: 266ft2 Empty Weight: 794lb Max.Weight: 1200lb Speed: Ceiling: Range: T.188, Bristol See Bristol 188. Tabloid, Sopwith Won the Schneider Cup race of 1914, and subsequently adopted as recaissance aircraft. Around 40 built. Type: Tabloid Function: reconaissance Year: 1914 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 80hp Gnome Speed: 148km/h Ceiling: Range: Tabor, Tarrant Large triplane bomber with a wing span of 131ft, larger than a Lancaster or B-17. This monstrosity was destroyed while taking off for its first flight; because two engines were placed between the upper wings, far above the center of gravity, the Tabor nosed over. Type: Tabor Function: bomber Year: 1919 Crew: 5 Engines: 6 * 500hp Napier Lion Speed: 177km/h Ceiling: 3962m Range: 1900km Armament: 2100km Tadpole, Armstrong Whithworth The Tadpole was a reconaissance modification of the DH.9A, with a strongly modified aft fuselage, incorporating a belly gondola with fore and aft windows. Type: Tadpole Function: reconaissance Year: 1920 Crew: Engines: 1 * Wing Span: Length: Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Tarpon, Grumman Name originally assigned to the Avenger. T.B.8, Bristol Two-seat trainer/reconaissance aircraft. 1913. TC.33, Gloster Biplane troop transport. Performance was disappointing, one built. Type: TC.33 Function: transport Year: 1932 Crew: Engines: 4 * 580hp R.R. Kestrel Speed: Ceiling: Range: 1930km Load: 30 seats Tempest, Hawker Development of the Typhoon with a new, thinner wing, a longer fuselage, and an all-round vision canopy. Finding a satisfactory engine proved to be a problem, but some 400 Tempest Mk. Vs were built with a Napier Sabre II engine before the war ended, and these proved to be excellent all-round fighters. The Tempest II (Bristol Centaurus) and Tempest VI (Sabre VI) were post-war developments. 1418 built. Type: Tempest Mk. II Function: fighter Year: 1944 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 1860kW Bristol Centaurus 5 Wing Span: 41ft 0in Length: 34ft 5in Height: 14ft 6in Wing Area: 302ft2 Empty Weight: 8900lb Max.Weight: 13560lb Speed: 710km/h Ceiling: 11300m Range: 1320km Armament: 4*g20mm 820kg Type: Tempest Mk. V Function: fighter Year: 1943 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 1626kW Napier Sabre II Wing Span: 12.50m Length: 10.26m Height: 4.90m Wing Area: 28.06m2 Empty Weight: 4802kg Max.Weight: 6142kg Speed: 686km/h Ceiling: 11125m Range: 1190km Armament: 4*g20mm Thunderbolt, Republic The U.S. P-47 Thunderbolt fighter. Tiger Moth, de Havilland One of the most famous biplane trainers. The RAF used the Tiger Moth for 15 years. Type: Tiger Moth II Function: trainer Year: 1932 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 130hp D.H. Gipsy Major Wing Span: Length: Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: Speed: 175km/h Ceiling: 4150m Range: 490km Armament: 8*b9.7kg Titania, Fairey Large four-engined biplane flying boat. 1925. Tomahawk, Curtiss The Curtiss Hawk 81A, more or less equivalent to the USAAF P-40C. Tomtit, Hawker Two-seat training biplane. Only 31 were built: 25 for the RAF and some for Canada and New Zealand. Type: Tomtit Function: trainer Year: 1932 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 112kW Armstrong Siddeley Mongoose IIC Wing Span: 8.71m Length: 2.54m Height: Wing Area: 22.09m2 Empty Weight: 499kg Max.Weight: 794kg Speed: 200km/h Ceiling: 5945m Range: Tornado, Hawker The Tornado was a parallel design to the Typhoon, with a different engine installation. The troublesome R.R. Vulture engine also caused its abandonment. One was converted to test the Bristol Centaurus radial. Three built. Type: Tornado Function: fighter. Year: 1939 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 2210hp Bristol Centaurus CE.4S Wing Span: 14ft 11in Length: 31ft 11in Height: 14ft 8in Wing Area: 283ft2 Empty Weight: 8030lb Max.Weight: 10320lb Speed: 402mph Ceiling: 32800ft Range: Armament: 12*mg7.7mm Tornado, Panavia Multi-role aircraft developed and built in cooperation with Germany and Italy. A compact twin-engined variable-geometry aircraft. There are strike-attack (IDS), air defence (ADF) and electronic warfare versions. Type: Tornado F Mk.3 Function: fighter Year: 1986 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 8530kg Turbo-union RB199-34R Mk.104 Wing Span: 13.91m/8.60m Length: 18.08m Height: 5.95m Wing Area: 30.00m2/ Empty Weight: 14501kg Max.Weight: 27987kg Speed: 2333km/h Ceiling: 21335m Range: 3600km Armament: 1*g27mm msl Type: Tornado GR.1 Function: attack Year: 1982 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 71.4kN Turbo-union RB199-34R Mk.101 Speed: 1480km/h Ceiling: 15240m Range: 3890km Armament: 2*g27mm 8980kg Traveller, Beech The USAAF UC-43. Triplane, Austin Single-engined triplane fighter. Triplane, Sopwith Fighter triplane. The brief but spectacular succes of the Triplane initiated the design of a number of triplane fighters, amongst them the famous Fokker Dr.I. 144 built. Type: Triplane Function: fighter Year: 1916 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 130hp Clerget Speed: 187km/h Ceiling: 6250m Range: Armament: 1*mg7.7mm Triple Tractor, Short A two-seat tractor biplane. It could be used with wheels or floats. One was built with two engines, the second engine driving two propellers in Wright Flyer-style. Type: Triple-Tractor Function: Year: 1912 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Tristar, Lockheed The RAF is the only military user of the Tristar airliner. It had some of them converted to tanker/transport aircraft. TSR.2, BAC A compact attack and strike aircraft. Its abandonment is still regretted. The TSR.2 was a big aircraft with a high wing loading, optimized for low-level flying; it was loaded with special equipment for its mission. The F-111 was ordered to replace it, but later cancelled; the RAF finally adopted the Buccaneer as strike aircraft. Type: TSR-2 Function: attack Year: 1964 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 136kN Bristol Siddeley Olympus 22R Speed: M2.5 Ceiling: Range: 6880km Armament: TTA, Bristol Twin-engined fighter. Two built, 1916. 2*120hp Beardmore, three 7.7mm guns. Tucano, Shorts Version for the RAF of the Brazilian Tucano turboprop trainer, with a more powerful engine and some structural modifications. Replaced the Jet Provost. Type: Tucano T.1 Function: trainer Year: 1987 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 1100hp Garrett TPE331-12B Speed: 514km/h Ceiling: 10365m Range: 1742km Armament: Tutor, Avro 621 Biplane trainer, of steel tube construction with fabric covering. The Tutor was an excellent prilmary trainer. 795 were built, replacing the Avro 504; many were exported or sold to civil customers. Type: Tutor Function: trainer Year: 1932 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 240hp Armstrong Siddeley Lynx Speed: 196km/h Ceiling: 4940m Range: 400km Twin, Blackburn Twin-fuselage, twin-engined seaplane. Intended to attack Zeppelins with incendiary darts. 1915. Twin Hotspur, General Aircraft. To create a larger glider to Hotspur fuselage weere joined by a new wing centre section. Type: Twin Hotspur. Function: glider Year: Crew: 1 Engines: Speed: 240km/h Ceiling: Range: Load: 16 seats TwinPioneer, Scottish Aviation Twin-engined STOl transport. Type: Pioneer 1 Function: transport Year: 1955 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 560hp Alivis Leonides 514/8 Speed: 190km/h Ceiling: 5180m Range: 1080km Load: 16 seats Typhoon, Hawker The so-called 'N type' fighter (developed in parallel with the Tornado) was powered by a 2200hp Napier Sabre engine. This powerful engine gave the Typhoon exceptional low-altitude performance. But engine troubles, a too conservative thick wing design, bad high-altitude performance and problems with the tail structure --- finally traced back to a failure of the elevator balance weight causing flutter --- were the cause of its failure as an all-round fighter. The Typhoon then earned fame as ground attack aircraft. 3332 built. Type: Typhoon Mk. IB Function: fighter-bomber Year: 1941 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 1600kW Napier Sabre IIA Wing Span: 41ft 7in Length: 31ft 11in Height: 14ft 10in Wing Area: 278ft2 Empty Weight: 8690lb Max.Weight: 12905lb Speed: 650km/h Ceiling: 10400m Range: 1530km Armament: 4*g20mm 2*b450kg --U-------------------------------------------------------------------------- U-125, BAe SAR version of the BAe 125, developed for the JASDF. --V-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Valentia, Vickers Biplane transport aircraft, a development of the Victoria. External difference: the Valentia had a tailwheel, the Victoria a skid. 82 built. Type: Valentia I Function: transport Year: 1934 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 470kW Bristol Pegasus II Mk.23 Speed: 195km/h Ceiling: 4900m Range: 1290km Load: 22 seats Valiant, Vickers Pusher biplane. Valiant, Vickers First of the jet-engined 'V-bombers', a four-engined nuclear bomber with a high wing with moderate sweepback. Retired early because of wing spar fatigue. 108 built. Type: Valiant B Mk.1 Function: bomber Year: 1955 Crew: 5 Engines: 4 * 4535kg R.R. Avon 201 Speed: 912km/h Ceiling: 16460m Range: 7420km Armament: 9525kg Valkyrie, Saunders-Roe A.3 Large reconaissance flying boat. The Valkyrie was a biplane of conventional construction. It looked good, but the wooden moncocque hull was weak, soaked up water and leaked. The Valkyrie also had poor flight characteristics. The Air Ministry decided to buy flying boats with metal hulls. Type: Valkyrie Function: reconaissance Year: 1926 Crew: 5 Engines: 3 * 680hp Rolls-Royce Condor IIIA Wing Span: 97ft Length: Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: Speed: 119mph Ceiling: 9600ft Range: 9hr 20min Armament: 3*mg7.7mm 2*b550lb Valleta, Vickers Troop transport derivative of Viking airliner, itself a derivative of the Wellington bomber. The Valetta had a reinforced floor, larger doors, new landing gear and more powerful engines. The Valetta was also used as VIP transport and trainer. Valparaiso, Vickers Two-seat fighter and reconaissance biplane, 1924. Sold to Chile and Portugal. Vampire, de Havilland A small, very successful jet fighter. To reduce the length of intake and outlet ducting the engine and pilot were placed in a short nacelle, and the tail was carried by two slender booms. There were single-seat day fighters and fighter-bombers and two-seat nightfighters and trainers. It was license-built in France, India and Switzerland; the latter country used them well into the 1990's. Type: Vampire FB Mk.6 Function: fighter-bomber Year: 1946 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 14.91kN de Havilland Goblin 3 Wing Span: 11.58m Length: 9.37m Height: 2.69m Wing Area: 24.34m2 Empty Weight: 3304kg Max.Weight: 5620kg Speed: 882km/h Ceiling: 13045m Range: 1960km Armament: 4*g20mm 907kg Vampier, Vickers F.B.26 See F.B.26 Varsity, Vickers Crew trainer, 163 built. The Varsity was an enlarged development of the Viking / Valetta. Type: Varsity T.1 Function: trainer Year: 1951 Crew: 4 Engines: 2 * 1950hp Bristol Hercules 264 Speed: 463km/h Ceiling: 8750m Range: 4260km Armament: 272kg VC-10, BAC/BAe Tanker and transport development of the VC-10 airliner. The VC-10 was a jet airliner with swept wings, a T-tail and and four tail-mounted engines. The RAF ordered a number as long-range transports; later some of these and a number of ex-civil VC-10s were converted to tankers. Type: VC10 K Mk.2 Function: transport / tanker Year: 1966 Crew: Engines: 4 * 9888kg R.R. Conway 301 Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Velos, Blackburn Torpedo bomber, development of the Dart. Type: Velos Function: torpedo bomber Year: 1925 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 335kW Napier Lian IIB Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Vendace, Vickers Pusher biplane. Vengeance, Vultee The U.S. built Vengeance dive-bomber, moderatly succesfull in Birma. The USAF designations were A-31 and A-35. 1931 built. Type: Vengeance Mk. IV Function: dive-bomber Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 1700hp Wright R-2600-13 Speed: 450km/h Ceiling: 7600m Range: 3700km Armament: 8*mg12.7mm 900kg Venom, de Havilland D.H.112 A development of the Vampire with the DH Ghost engine and a thinner, slightly swept-back wing. Became the standard RAF ground attack fighter, and served in the Swiss air force until 1983. Type: Venom FB Mk.2 Function: fighter-bomber Year: 1951 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * de Havilland Ghost Wing Span: Length: Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: Speed: 1020km/h Ceiling: 15200m Range: Armament: 4*g20mm, 900kg Venom, Vickers A thoroughly refined Jockey, with cantilever wings, retractable landing gear, enclosed cockpit and cowled engine. But the Aquila was not produced in quantity and the Venom was too small for other engines. One built. Type: Venom Function: fighter Year: 1936 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 625hp Bristol Aquila Speed: 502km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 8*mg7.7mm Ventura, Lockheed Military devlopment of the Lockheed Lodestar. USAF designation was B-34. Intended as a day bomber, but it was soon found out that it was more useful as a sea patrol aircraft. Type: Ventura I Function: bomber Year: 1941 Crew: Engines: 2 * 1850hp P&W GR-2800 Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: 8*mg7.62mm 1125kg Venture, Vickers Pusher biplane, 1923? Six built for the RAF, but never entered service. Vernon, Vickers Transport development of the Vimy with a new, fat fuselage. Vespa, Vickers Biplane with a Bristol Jupiter engine. Bought by Ireland and Bolivia. VFB, Vickers See FB.5 Vickers 432 An high-altitude cannon armed fighter, called 'Tin Mossie' because it looked like a bigger Mosquito. Only a prototype. Type: 432 Function: fighter Year: 1942 Crew: 1 Engines: 2 * 1520hp R.R. Merlin 61 Speed: 435mph Ceiling: 43500ft Range: Armament: 6*g20mm (never fitted) Vickers Fighting Biplane See FB.5 Victor, Handley Page Last of the V-bombers; also used as tanker aircraft. 80 built. The Victor looked a little bit odd with its deep nose bulge and crescent-shaped wings. As a bomber it aged rapidly, and from 1964 coversion to tanker aircraft began. It was retired in 1994. 80 built. Type: Victor B Mk.2 Function: bomber Year: 1961 Crew: 5 Engines: 4 * 7830kg R.R. Conway RCo.11 Wing Span: 36.48m Length: 35.03m Height: 8.57m Wing Area: 223.52m2 Empty Weight: 41277kg Max.Weight: 105687kg Speed: M0.95 Ceiling: 18300m Range: 3700km Armament: 15875kg Victoria, Vickers Biplane transport. The Victoria had a bulky fuselage of elliptical cross-section with a blunt nose, and looked remarkably ugly. It was development of the Virginia bomber. 97 were built, that contributed a lot to the development of military air transport. Type: Victoria V Function: transport Year: 1926 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 570hp Napier Lion XI Speed: 177km/h Ceiling: 4900m Range: 1240km Load: 22 seats Vigilant, Grob Motorized glider, the Grob G.109B. Type: Vigilant T Mk.1 Function: trainer Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 56kW Limbach Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Viking, Vickers Twin-engined transport aircraft, developed from the Wellington. The Viking had a new fuselage, and after the first prototypes also abandoned the geodetically constructed Wellington wings. The RAF called its Vikings Valetta; but many Vikings served in other airforces. Type: Viking IB Function: transport Year: 1946 Crew: Engines: 2 * Bristol Hercules 634 Wing Span: 27.20m Length: 19.86m Height: 5.94m Wing Area: 80.2m2 Empty Weight: 10546kg Max.Weight: 15422kg Speed: 338km/h Ceiling: 7240m Range: 2736km Load: 24-36 seats Vildebeest, Vickers Light bomber and torpedo bomber, used until 1938. The Vildebeest was an ugly biplane of thoroughly practical appearance, very typical of British practice during the interbellum. Some did see combat during WWII, operating in the Pacific as late as 1942. They suffered heavy losses. 209 built. Type: Vildebeest Mk.III Function: bomber Year: 1934 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 470kW Bristol Pegasus III Mk.3 Speed: 230km/h Ceiling: 5800m Range: 2000km Armament: 3*mg7.7mm 500kg Vimy, Vickers Biplane bomber, too late for WWI. Famous for the first non-stop crossing of the Atlantic, flown by J. Alcock and A. Brown, on 14 June 1919. Type: Vimy Function: bomber Year: 1918 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 360hp R.R. Eagle VIII Speed: 160km/h Ceiling: 4270m Range: 1450km Load: 4*mg7.7mm 1125kg Vincent, Vickers Light biplane bomber, development of the Vildebeest. 197 built, including Videbeest conversions. Type: Vincent Function: bomber-reconaissance Year: 1940 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 470kW Bristol Pegasus II Mk.3 Speed: 230km/h Ceiling: 5800m Range: 2010km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 450kg Virginia, Vickers The Virginia was a large biplane with a mediocre performance. It was in service for 13 years as the RAF's heavy night bomber. Type: Virginia Function: Year: Crew: Engines: Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Vivid, Vickers Pusher biplane. Vixen, Vickers Similar to the Valparaiso. Vulcan, Avro Delta-wing jet bomber. Its service life was reduced when its role was changed from high-altitude to low-altitude bombing, but it can be considered the most succesfull of the V-bombers. Type: Vulcan B Mk.2 Function: bomber Year: 1960 Crew: 5 Engines: 4 * 9980kg Bristol Siddeley Olympus 301 Speed: M0.98 Ceiling: 19800m Range: 7640km Armament: 21454kg --W-------------------------------------------------------------------------- W-9, Cierva Experimental helicopter. No tail rotor was fitted; instead the exhaust was ducted to the tail. Type: W-9 Function: experimental Year: 1944 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 1205hp D.H. Gipsy VI (??) Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Wagtail, Westland Late WWI fighter prototype. Type: Wagtail Function: fighter Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 170hp A.B.C. Wasp Speed: 125mph Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Wallace, Westland Single-engined biplane, a development of the Wapiti with a new engine, a new undercarriage, and a cleaned-up fuselage. Performance was greatly improved. The Wallace did not serve in the colonies like the Wapiti, but was primarily a part of the home-based reserve bomber units. During the beginning of WWII it was useful as trainer. 172 built. Type: Wallace Mk.II Function: multi-purpose Year: 1939 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 500kW Bristol Pegasus IV Speed: 255km/h Ceiling: 7350m Range: 760km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 260kg Walrus, Supermarine Catapult-launched, biplane amphibian with pusher propeller, rather rectangular in outline but fairly 'clean' looking. Standard catapult-launched reconaissance and SAR aircraft for some time. 740 built between 1936 and 1944. Type: Walrus Mk. I Function: reconaissance Year: 1935 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 775hp Bristol Pegasus VI Speed: 217km/h Ceiling: 5640m Range: 966km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Walrus, Westland Shipboard utility aircraft. It used DH9 wings. 36 built. Type: Walrus Function: utility Year: Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 450hp Napier Lion II Speed: 110mph Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Wapiti, Westland Biplane multi-purpose aircraft, that used as D.H.9 parts from war surplus equipment as possible; that included the wings and, on the prototype, the tail. Typical for the RAF aircraft of the interwar period, and often used by colonial forces. 558 built. Type: Wapiti Mk.I Function: bomber/reconaissance Year: 1928 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 480hp Bristol Jupiter VIII Wing Span: 46ft 5in Length: 31ft 8in Height: 11ft 10in Wing Area: 488ft2 Empty Weight: Max.Weight: 5160lb Speed: 217km/h Ceiling: 6300m Range: 580km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 225kg Warwick, Vickers Twin-engined bomber of geodetic construction, a larger development of the Wellington. Used for reconaissance, search and rescue (carrying a lifeboat) and transport. Its career was brief, because better four-engined aircraft were available. 850 built. Type: Warwick ASR.I Function: search & rescue Year: 1943 Crew: 6 Engines: 2 * 1850hp P&W Double Wasp Speed: 360km/h Ceiling: 5100m Range: 3200km Armament: 6*mg7.7mm Washington, Boeing B-29 The U.S. B-29 Superfortress heavy bomber. Due to the obsolescence of the Lincoln and the slow development of jet bombers, the RAF had to accept a loan of around 80 B-29's to keep up its strength. Wasp, Westland Type: Wasp Function: ASW helicopter Year: 1958 Crew: Engines: 1 * Speed: 195km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: W.B.1, Beardmore A long-range bomber biplane. Type: W.B.1A Function: bomber Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 500hp Beardmore Atlantic Speed: 110mph Ceiling: Range: Armament: W.B.II, Beardmore Fighter biplane. Type: W.B.IIa Function: Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 230hp Beardmore Adriatic Speed: 125mph Ceiling: Range: Armament: W.B.III, Beardmore Development of the Sopwith Pup with folding wings. Type: W.B.III Function: reconaissance Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 80hp Le Rhone Speed: 103mph Ceiling: Range: Armament: W.B.IV, Beardmore Single-seat reconaissance biplane. For good visibility, the pilot was seated in front of the wings, and the engine between the wings, behind the pilot. The front fuselage was made watertight and boat-shaped. Type: W.B.IV Function: reconaissance Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 200hp Hispano-Suiza Speed: 110mph Ceiling: Range: Armament: W.B.V, Beardmore Single-seat shipboard fighter. Type: W.B.V Function: fighter Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 200hp Hispano-Suiza Speed: 112mph Ceiling: Range: Armament: W.B.VI, Beardmore Single-seat torpedo-bomber biplane. Type: W.B.VI Function: torpedo-bomber Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 350hp R.R. Eagle Speed: 102mph Ceiling: Range: Armament: Weasel, Westland Two-seat fighter, 1918. Another victim of the A.B.C. Dragonfly engine. Welkin, Westland Very high altitude fighter, similar to a bigger Whirlwind with a long-span wing. The high-flying bomber treat never materialized; the 67 Welkins built were kept in storage. Type: Welkin F Mk. I Function: fighter Year: 1943 Crew: 1 Engines: 2 * R.R. Merlin 61 Speed: 387mph Ceiling: 44000ft Range: 2400km Armament: 4*g20mm Wellesley, Vickers First bomber to apply geodetic construction. It was a clean monoplane with a very large wingspan; bombs were carried in streamlined boxes under the wings. One made a non-stop flight of 11500km! Obsolete at the outbreak of WWII. 177 built. Type: Wellesley Mk. I Function: bomber Year: 1937 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 925hp Bristol Pegasus XX Speed: 367km/h Ceiling: 10000m Range: 1766km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 905kg Wellington, Vickers Twin-engined medium bomber of geodetical construction. Main British bomber during the first part of WWII, but used until the end of the war in numerous other duties. 11461 built. Type: Wellingtion Mk. IC Function: bomber Year: 1937 Crew: 6 Engines: 2 * 1050hp Bristol Pegasus XVIII Speed: 235mph Ceiling: 19000ft Range: 1805mls Armament: 8*mg7.7mm 4500lbs Wessex, Westland Wessex, Westland Development of the Sikorsky S-58 helicopter; the radial engine is replaced by a turboshaft, also fitted in the nose. The result is extremely ugly, but useful. Type: Wessex Mk.60 Function: transport Year: 1966 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 960kW Bristol Siddeley Gnome Speed: 215km/h Ceiling: 3050m Range: 540km Load: 10 seats Westbury, Westland Large three seat 'heavy fighter' biplane. Type: Westbury Function: fighter Year: 1927 Crew: Engines: 2 * 450hp Bristol Jupiter VI Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*g37mm Westminster, Westland Large 'skycrane' helicopter with two 2320kW Napier Eland E.229A engine. Two built. The fuselage was an open tube structure, making the Westminster look as if building hadn't finished. Whirlwind, Westland P.9 A small, fast twin-engined fighter, one of the first to be armed with four 20mm cannon. The Whirlwind was a fine fighter that could combat single-engined fighters with success. It had the misfortune that the development and production of the R.R. Peregrine engine was halted, and no alternative was available. The Whirlwind was tailored to this engine and the original specification. When the Hurricane and Spitfire proved to be able to carry the 20mm cannon, and the Beaufighter filled in the heavy fighter role, the interest in the Whirlwind faded. Another defiency was its short range, with a radius of action of only 240km. It served in small numbers (116 built) as fighter-bomber. Type: Whirlwind Mk. IA Function: fighter Year: 1940 Crew: 1 Engines: 2 * 660kW R.R. Peregrine I Wing Span: 13.72m Length: 9.83m Height: Wing Area: 23.22m2 Empty Weight: 3768kg Max. Weight: 5175kg Speed: 580km/h Ceiling: 9240m Range: 1300km Armament: 4*g20mm b453kg Whirlwind, Westland British-built Sikorsky S-55 helicopter. Westland also built a version with a turboshaft engine in a longer nose. Whitley, Armstrong Whitworth Twin-engined monoplane bomber. The Whitley was one of the first heavy night bombers of the RAF, and the first RAF aircraft with a stressed-skin fuselage. It had a characteristic nose-down flying attitude, because of the high incidence of the wing. Performance was mediocre, and from 1942 onwards it was used as trainer and glider tug. Around 2900 built. Type: Whitley V Function: bomber Year: 1939 Crew: 5 Engines: 2 * R.R. Merlin X Speed: 370km/h Ceiling: 6100m Range: 3860km Armament: 5*mg7.7mm 3175kg Whitney Straight, Miles 50 built. Type: Whitney Straight Function: liaison Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 95kW D.H. Gipsy Major Speed: 233km/h Ceiling: Range: 920km Load: 1 seat Widgeon, Grumman The U.S. J4F amphibian. Wildcat, Grumman Formerly known as Martlet in RN service. Windsor, Vickers Four-engined heavy bomber of geodetic construction. Prototypes only. Witch, Westland High-altitude bomber, a parasol monoplane. One built. Type: Witch Function: bomber Year: 1928 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 420hp Bristol Jupiter VI Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Wizard, Westland Single-seat fighter with a parasol wing. One built. Type: Wizard Function: fighter Year: 1926 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 490hp R.R. F Speed: 232km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Woodcock, Hawker Biplane fighter, the first RAF-fighter designed for night operations. The Woodcock had bulky, wooden fuselage that offered the pilot good forward visibility. It was a rather mediocre fighter, with handling and structural problems. 63 built. Type: Woocock Mk.II Function: fighter Year: 1925 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 380hp Bristol Jupiter IV Wing Span: 9.91m Length: 7.98m Height: 3.02m Wing Area: 32.14m2 Empty Weight: 914kg Max. Weight: 1351kg Speed: 227km/h Ceiling: 6860m Range: 2h 45min Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Wolf, Armstrong-Whitworth Trainer and reconaissance biplane. Six built. Type: Wolf Function: trainer/recce Year: 1923 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 261kW Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar III Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Wren, FWA The Swiss FWA AS 202 Bravo trainer. Wyvern, Westland Engine problems made the development of the Wyvern protracted and complicated. Full service status was achieved ten years after design began. The Wyvern was a clean monoplane with an enormous propeller hub, sporting large contra-rotating props. Type: Wyvern S.4 Function: attack Year: 1951 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 4110hp Armstrong Siddeley Python 3 Speed: 616km/h Ceiling: 8335m Range: 1455km Armament: 4*g20mm 1360kg --X-------------------------------------------------------------------------- --Y-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yeovil, Westland Two-seat, single-engined biplane bomber. Three built; the Horsley was chosen to fulfill the requirement. Type: Yeovil Function: bomber Year: 1925 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 650hp R.R. Condor Speed: 193km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 1000lb York, Avro 685 A transport development of the Lancaster, with a bigger fuselage of rectangular cross-section and an additional tailfin. Production during WWII was limited because it was agreed that the US would supply transport aircraft. 257 built. Type: York Mk. I Function: transport Year: 1944 Crew: 5 Engines: 4 * 1280hp R.R. Merlin 24 Speed: 467km/h Ceiling: 6500m Range: 4990km Load: 50 - 56 seats Youngman-Baynes A Percival Proctor low-wing cabin monoplane, modified to test the flap system designed by R. T. Youngman. The aircraft had large double flaps over the entire wing trailing edge; the ailerons were inset in the flaps. Type: Youngman-Baynes Function: experimental Year: 1948 Crew: Engines: 1 * 250hp De Havilland Gipsy Queen 32 Wing Span: 33ft 0in Length: 29ft 0in Height: 7ft 0in Wing Area: 180ft2 Empty Weight: 2380lb Max.Weight: 3600lb Speed: 180mph Ceiling: Range: --Z-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ RAF Designation systems ======================= Source: "Names With Wings", Gordon Wansborough-White, Airlife. A. The 1918 Designation system. ------------------------------- The 1918 system was based on the meaning of names as codewords. It was used until 1927. Up to 1921 alliteration of aircraft name and Manufacturer was obligatory; later this was often continued. The following information is from an article in Aeroplane Monthly, November 1994: Landplanes Fighter Zoological, Vegetable, Mineral (terrestial) Single-seater Insects, birds and reptiles Two-seater Mammals Three-seater Flowers Four-seater Shrubs Five-seater Trees Over five seats Metals, Rocks Bomber Geographical (inland) Single-Seater Italian towns Two-seater British towns Three-seater French towns More than 3, under 5 ton Towns in colonies and dependencies 5 to 10 tons Towns in Asia 10 to 15 tons Towns in Africa Heavy Armoured Machines Proper Names (male) Under 2 tons Mythological Greek 2 to 5 tons Mythological Roman 5 to 10 tons Mythological Eastern and Egyptian 10 to 20 tons Mythological Northern Europe Seaplanes Fighter Zoological (marine) Single-seater River fish Two-seater Saltwater fish Three-seater Shellfish Bomber Geographical (seaboard) Single-Seater Italian towns Two-seater British towns Three-seater French towns More than 3, under 5 ton Towns in colonies and dependencies 5 to 10 tons Towns in Asia 10 to 15 tons Towns in Africa Patrol and anti-submarine Proper Names (female) Under 2 tons Mythological Greek 2 to 5 tons Mythological Roman 5 to 10 tons Mythological Eastern and Egyptian 10 to 20 tons Mythological Northern Europe B. The 1927 RAF Naming System ----------------------------- Category Names beginning with... 1. Fighters, land F 2. Fighters, fleet N (maritime significance) 3. Bombers, single-engined P 4. Bombers, multi-engined B 5. Bombers, torpedo M (maritime significance) 6. Army co-operation A 7. Spotter & reconaissance S 8. Coastal reconaissance R 9. Troop carriers C 10. Training aircraft T 11. General Purpose Aircraft G 12. Fighter Reconaissance O (maritime significance) B. The 1932 RAF Naming System ----------------------------- 1. Fighters Speed, Activity, Aggressiveness 2. Bombers (a) Day Animals (except felidae) (b) Army co-operation Classical names (c) Night Inland town of the Empire, or towns associated with the RAF. (d) General Purpose British historical names (e) Transport General towns and seaports of the British Empire. 3. Flying Boats Coastal towns and seaports of the British Empire. 4. Fleet Air Arm (a) Fighters Mythological names (b) Fighter reconaissance Seabirds (c) Torpedo Bombers Oceans, seas and estuaries (d) Spotter reconaissance Marine animals 5. Trainers Tuition, or places of education ------------------------------------------------------------------------------