Vickers Virginia

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The Vickers Virginia was a biplane heavy bomber of the British Royal Air Force, developed from the Vickers Vimy.

1 Origins
2 Operation
3 Specifications (Virginia X)
4 Operators
5 References

[edit] Origins

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

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

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

124 Virginias were built in total, of which fifty were Mark X.

[edit] Operation

The first squadron of Mark I Virginias was assembled in 1924. Despite mediocre performance the aircraft served front line units until 1938, when it was replaced by the newer Wellingtons, Hampdens and Whitleys.

The final almost all-metal Virginia Mark X were the most numerous RAF bombers until the ascendance of the Heyford in 1934. After its technical obsolescence as a bomber it was used for photography and for parachute training, with jump platforms installed behind the engine nacelles. On June 26 1940, a committee discussing the need for airborne cannon against invasion tanks included the perhaps non-serious suggestion of equipping Virginias with the equally antiquated 37mm COW gun. This was not acted on. Virginias continued in support roles until 1941.

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

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

The Virginias were highly accident prone, with 81 lost in this manner.