Britain's Vickers Wellington bomber1,2,3
"Wimpey"1,3

Vickers Wellington
United Kingdom's Vickers Wellington bomber
Vickers Wellington
United Kingdom's Vickers Wellington bomber
Vickers Wellington
United Kingdom's Vickers Wellington bomber
Vickers Wellington
United Kingdom's Vickers Wellington bomber
Vickers Wellington Mk VI
United Kingdom's Vickers Wellington Mk VI bomber
Vickers Wellington Mk XVI
United Kingdom's Vickers Wellington Mk XVI bomber
Vickers Wellington Mk XVIII
United Kingdom's Vickers Wellington Mk XVIII bomber

Design

Dr. Barnes Wallis designed the Vickers Wellington.1 Wallis later created the "Dam Buster" bouncing bomb.1 The Wellington was to meet a 1932 requirment.2

Fuselage

The fuselage was a unique structure that was made from a geodetic structure.1

Nickname

The Wellington was nicknamed the "Wimpey" after the cartoon character J. Wellington Wimpey.3

Prototype

On June 15, 1936 the Vickers Type 271 first flew.1,2,3

Production

Wellingtons were constructed in 16 variants.1

These were constructed at Weybridge, Chester, and Blackpool.1

Production ended in October 1945.3

Variants

GR: General Reconnaissance, T: Trainer

Usage

The Wellingtons were the mainstay of the Royal Air Force (RAF) in the early years of World War II.1,3 A total of 57 RAF squadrons were equipped with Wellingtons.1,2

Initially the Wellingtons were used in daylight raids, but when heavy losses were incurred they were switched to night bombing raids in 1940.2

First Squadron

The No. 9 Squadron was the first to be equipped with the Wellington Mk I in October 1938.2

First Raid on Germany

The Wellingtons were the first bombers to attack Germany on September 4, 1939.3

Heavy Bombs

A 4,000 lb / 1,814 kg bomb was first dropped by a Wellington on April 1, 1941.2

Cologne

In the 1,000 bomber raid of Cologne in May 1942, Wellingtons made up 1/2 of the bombers.3

Last Raid

The last raid conducted by the Wellingtons was on the night of October 8 - 9, 1943.2

Coastal Command

When the Wellingtons were no longer being used by Bomber Command they were transferred to Coastal Command in 1943.1

Wellingtons Vs. U-boats

The Wellingtons sank 263 / 51 U-boats during World War II.1

Victoria Cross Awarded

The only Wellington crew member to receive a Victoria Cross was New Zealander Sergeant J. A. Ward who was a second pilot in the No. 75 Squadron.1 He climbed out onto the wing of his aircraft to put out an engine fire.1

Last Use

The Wellingtons were withdrawn from service in 1953.1

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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