VICKERS (AVIATION) LTD.

UK

Famous shipbuilding/engineering/armaments group of Vickers Ltd formed an Aviation Department on March 28, 1911, under Capt. H. F. Wood. Production rights for Esnault-Pelterie REP tractor monoplane obtained in same year; several variants built before First World War. In 1912 Vickers produced Type 18 Destroyer for Admiralty; pusher-engined gun-carrying fighter from which evolved, via successive E.F.B. (Experimental Fighting Biplane) prototypes, the F.B.5 and F.B.9 "Gunbus" fighters of First World War. Later front-gunned tractor-engined F.19 was less successful. During war also built RAF B.E.2 series, B.E.8, F.E.8, and S.E.5a and Sopwith 1 1/2-Strutters under license. Vickers Vimy of 1917 remained standard RAF bomber throughout 1920s: one used by Alcock and Brown for first non-stop Atlantic crossing Virginia by airplane on June 14/15 1919. Vimy Commercial was 11 -passenger airliner with enlarged fuselage; Vernon troop transport developed from this. Vimy and Vernon succeeded respectively by Virginia and Victoria in mid-1920s, followed by Pegasus engined development, the Valentia. In July 1928 company renamed as Vickers (Aviation) Ltd, and four months later took over Supermarine Aviation Works, specialist in marine aircraft. Vickers' own products continued in early 1930s with Vildebeest torpedo- bomber and Vincent general-purpose biplane. June 1935 saw first flight of Pegasus engined long-range Wellesley bomber, first RAF aircraft to use system of geodetic construction devised by Dr. B. N. (later Sir Barnes) Wallis, who remained head of research until early 1970s. Subcontract production included Armstrong Whitworth Siskin IIIAs (1929-1930), Hawker Harts (1932-1934) and Hart Trainers (1936). In March 1936 the prototype was flown of R. J. Mitchell's supreme design, the Supermarine Spitfire; and in June 1936 prototype of Vickers Wellington twin-engined bomber. Back to the letter V

All the World's Rotorcraft Virtual Aircraft Museum E.F.B.1 E.F.B.2 E.F.B.3 F.B.5 F.B.9 F.B.7 E.S.1 F.B.8 F.B.14 F.B.19 F.B.12 F.B.16 F.B.11 F.B.24 Vimy F.B.25 F.B.26 Vampire Vernon Victoria Virginia Type 61 Vulcan Vulture Vixen Vespa Vendace 121 Wibault Scout Type 123 Type 141 Vildebeest Vanguard Type 125 Vireo Vellore Type 143 Type 177 Viastra Type 151 Jockey 163 Type 161 Vincent M.1/30 Valentia G.4/31 Vellox Wellesley Wellington Type 279 Venom Warwick Type 432 Windsor Viking Valetta Viscount Varsity Valiant Vanguard