Britain's Handley Page Halifax bomber1,2,3

Handley Page Halifax bomber:
United Kingdom's Handley Page Halifax bomber

Handley Page Halifax bomber:
United Kingdom's Handley Page Halifax bomber

Handley Page Halifax bomber:
United Kingdom's Handley Page Halifax bomber

Handley Page Halifax bomber:
United Kingdom's Handley Page Halifax bomber

Design

The Handley Page Halifax was designed to the same specification as the Avro Manchester.3 It was to be powered by two Rolls-Royce engines.3 In 1937 this was changed to four Merlins.3

Gun Turrets

Early Halifax models had a two gun turret in the nose.1 This was later replaced by a Perspex molding model that had less drag.1

Initially the Halifax had gun position at the beam windows, but these were later replaced by two or four gun dorsal turrets.1

Tail fins

Original models had small tailfins.1 These were replaced by larger surfaces.1

Prototype

The Halifax prototype, HP.573, first flew on October 25, 1939.1,3 It only flew with two Vulture engines.2 This was changed to four Merlin engines.2

Production

The first Halifax Mk I flew in October 1940.3 The first Halifax B.III first flew in July 1943.3

Variants

Usage

Australia, Britain, Canada, and New Zealand used the Halifax.1

There were 34 squadrons equipped with the Halifax.1,3

The H2S radar bombing equipment was first used by the Halifax.1

First Squadron

The No. 35 Squadron first received the Halifax in November 1940.2 They conducted their first raid on the night of March 10 - 11, 1941 on Le Harve.2,3

Paratroop Carrier and Glider Tower

The Mk III, Mk V, and Mk VII were used to carrier paratroops and to tow gliders.2 They could tow the large Hamilcar glider.2

At the end of the war the Mk VIII was also used to carry paratroops and tow gliders.2

  Handley Page Halifax3
Type Heavy bomber3
Crew 73
Engine (Type)  
Cylinders  
Cooling  
HP  
Propeller blades  
Dimensions  
Span  
Length  
Height  
Wing area  
Weight  
Empty  
Loaded  
Performance  
Speed  
Climb  
Service ceiling  
Range  
Armament  
Nose  
Dorsal turret  
Tail turret  
Bombs  

Sources:

  1. Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
  2. Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
  3. Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
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