Handley Page Heyford
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| Handley Page Heyford | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Description | ||
| Role | Bomber | |
| Crew | 4 – see text for roles | |
| First flight | 21 June 1933 | |
| Entered service | 1934 | |
| Manufacturer | Handley Page | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 58 ft | m |
| Wingspan | 75 ft | m |
| Height | 20 ft 6 in | m |
| Wing area | 1470 ft² | m² |
| Weights | ||
| Empty | 10,080 lb | kg |
| Loaded | 16,750 lb | kg |
| Maximum takeoff | kg | |
| Powerplant | ||
| Engines | 2x Rolls-Royce Kestrel IISI | |
| Power | 1050 hp | kw |
| Performance | ||
| Maximum speed | 142 mph | km/h |
| Range | 920 miles | km |
| Service ceiling | 21,000 ft | |
| Rate of climb | ||
| Armament | ||
| Guns | 4 x 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Lewis machine guns | |
| Bombs | 8 x 20 lb bombs and up to 2,500 lb other bombs in bomb bay and under wings | |
The Handley Page Heyford was a British biplane bomber of the 1930s. Although it had a short service life it equipped several squadrons of the RAF.
Contents |
[edit] History
The Heyford was built to the same specification as the Fairey Hendon, a monoplane bomber. The prototype, the Handley Page H.P.38, was designed by Handley Page's lead designer G R Volkert. It was a mixture of fabric and metal, the fuselage had both fabric covered structures and metal (duraluminum) monocoque sections. the bomb bay was in the thickened centre lower wing. The undercarriage was large spat covered wheels. The design allowed ground crews to attach bombloads safely while the engines were running, but the result was that the pilot was some 17 feet off the ground.
In December 1936 , a flight of 7 Heyfords of No. 102 Squadron RAF met fog and icy weather flying to their base from Northern Ireland. Three crashed and three had to make forced landings resulting in 3 crewmen killed and 3 injured.
The Heyford was declared obsolete in 1937, although some remained flying until 1940 as bombing and gunnery trainers. At least two were used for experiments, one for airborne radar and the other for inflight refuelling and it is reported that one was still flying as late as 1944.
[edit] Production
- Mk I and Mk IA - 23
- Mk II - 16
- MK III- 70
For a total of 125.
[edit] Variants
[edit] Mk I and Mk IA
Engine support changes and wind driven generator.
[edit] Mk II
Kestrel IV - derated
[edit] Mk III
Kestrel IV - 650 hp
[edit] Operators
[edit] RAF Service
Squadrons
- No. 7 Squadron RAF
- No. 9 Squadron RAF
- No. 16 Squadron RAF
- No. 30 Squadron RAF
- No. 76 Squadron RAF
- No. 97 Squadron RAF
- No. 99 Squadron RAF
- No. 102 Squadron RAF
- No. 148 Squadron RAF
- No. 149 Squadron RAF
- No. 166 Squadron RAF
[edit] Specifications (MK 1)
[edit] General characteristics
- Crew: 4
- Pilot, Navigator/bomb-aimer/forward gunner,Wireless operator/mid-upper gunner, rear-gunner
- Length: 58 ft
- Wingspan: 75 ft
- Height: 20 ft 6 in
- Wing area: 1470 ft²
- Weight
- Empty:10,080 lb
- Loaded: 16,750 lb
- Maximum takeoff:
- Powerplant: 2 x Rolls-Royce Kestrel III-S or III-S5, 575 hp
[edit] Performance
- Maximum speed: 142 mph
- Range: 920 miles
- Service ceiling: 21,000 ft
- Rate of climb: ft/min
- Wing loading' lb/ft²
- Power/weight:
[edit] Armament
- Self defence: 4 x Lewis gun, forward, mid-upper, rear upper, rear lower,
| Related content | |
|---|---|
| Related development | |
| Similar aircraft | |
| Designation series | Handley Page Hare - Handley Page Hinaidi – Handley Page Heyford – Handley Page Gugnunc - Handley Page H.P.42 (H.P.45) |
| Related lists | List of aircraft of the RAF - List of bomber aircraft |
