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The Vickers Victoria Biplane History
The Vickers Victoria biplane was a
transport aircraft built by the British engineering company Vickers
Limited. It was powered by twin Napier Lion engines and, with
foldaway canvas seating along the sides of the fuselage, had the
capacity to carry 22 troops. The first of two prototypes, Type 56
designated Victoria Mk I, made it’s first flight at Brooklands on
September 22, 1922; the second prototype, Type 81 designated
Victoria Mk II, first flew in January 1923. Several changes were
made during production resulting in the following models: Type 56
Victoria Mk I, Type 81 Victoria Mk II, Type 117, Victoria Mk III,
Type 145 Victoria Mk IV, Type 169 Victoria Mk V and Type 262
Victoria Mk VI. The changes made included the introduction of metal
frames instead of wood, the introduction of swept back wings and the
upgrade to Bristol Pegasus radial engines.
The Vickers Victoria
Operational History
These aircraft were used by the Royal Air Force who received
delivery of the first Mk IIIs in February 1926. They were
principally used for transport duties in the Middle East with the
Iraq based 70 Squadron and the Egypt based 216 Squadron. These
duties included carrying troops to places of budding unrest and for long
range training flights. The Royal Air Force’s Central Flying School
used one as a trainer for ‘blind flying’.
The
Vickers Victoria Kabul Airlift
The most notable operation carried
out with the involvement of these biplanes was the Kabul
Airlift. 586 people, including British Legation personnel and their
families along with the Afghan royal family, were rescued from Kabul
by a fleet of aircraft which included several Victoria
biplanes.
The Victoria was retired
from service in 1935, however, around two thirds of the original 83
that were built had been converted to Victoria Valentia biplanes and
continued their service into WW2.
Various scale
models, model kits and plans of this aircraft have been available in
the market place.
Vickers Victoria
Biplane Specifications:
Vickers
Victoria Crew: 2
Vickers Victoria Capacity: 22 troops
Vickers Victoria Length: 59ft 6in (18.14m)
Vickers Victoria Wingspan: 87ft 4in (26.62m)
Vickers Victoria Height: 17ft 9in (5.41m)
Vickers Victoria Wing area: 2,178ft² (202.4 m²)
Vickers Victoria Empty weight: 10,030lb (4,559kg)
Vickers Victoria Loaded weight: 17,760lb (8,073kg)
Vickers Victoria Engine: Twin Napier Lion XI inline piston engines, 570 hp
(388 kW) each
Vickers Victoria Maximum speed: 110mph (177km/h)
Vickers Victoria Range: 770 mi (1,240km)
Vickers Victoria Service Ceiling: 16,200ft (4,940m)
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