Vickers

Wellington

 

Designed by Vickers-Armstrongs Chief Designer Rex Pierson, utilising the geodetic construction methods devised by Barnes Wallace and used in the earlier Wellesley, the twin-engine Wellington continued to serve with distinction throughout World War II despite eventually being superseded in its primary role by the much larger, 'heavy bombers' such as the Avro Lancaster and the Vickers Warwick.

'The Wellie' was to bear the brunt of the Bomber Command offensive against Germany making up some 60% of the numbers in the first 1,000 bomber raid on 30th May 1942. The type also served with distinction with Coastal and Overseas Commands throughout the War on marine reconnaissance and anti-submarine duties.

 

The robust nature of its revolutionary construction paid real dividends in terms of both aircraft and lives saved throughout the night bombing campaigns.  one Vickers Wellington (LN514) became the subject of a Ministry of Aviation propoganda newsreel in October 1943 when it was constructed in just 23 hours 50 minutes by workers at the Broughton Factory which now produces wings for Airbus.

 

 

The Wellington was finally retired in March 1953.

 

Type 271	Wellington prototype K4049 to Specification B.9/32
Type 290 183 Built	Wellington Mk I: Initial production variant with two 815hp Pegasus XVIII.
Type 408 187 Built	Wellington Mk IA: Two 1,000hp Pegasus XVIII and 28,000lb max weight.
Type 416 2,685 Built	Wellington Mk IC: Main initial production with waist guns. 2,685 built at Weybridge, Chester & Blackpool.
Type 406 400 Built	Wellington Mk II as Wellington IC but powered by two 1,145hp Rolls-Royce Merlin X
Type 417 1,519 Built	Wellington Mk III as Mk II but powerplant changed to two 1,400hp Bristol Hercules II engines. Four-gun rear turret introduced and max weight increased to 34,500lb.
Type 424 220 Built	Wellington Mk IV: Similar to Mk III, but powered by two 1,050 Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp engines.
Type 407 and 421 1 Built - 9 cancelled	Wellington Mk V: Experimental pressurised variant with two 1,400hp Hercules III (Type 421) or two 1,650hp Hercules VIII (Type 407, 426). 30 aircraft ordered.
Types 431, 442, 449 63 Built	Wellington Mk VI: Pressurised MkV development designed to use 1,600hp Merlin 60 engines.
Type 440, 448 3,803 Built	Wellington B Mk X: Built in the greatest numbers using two 1,615hp Bristol Hercules VI or XVI engines, built at Blackpool and Chester.
Type 418, 419 15 Built	Wellington DWI Mk I and Mk II: Designed to clear magnetic mines using an energised ring encircling the aircraft. 4 DWI Mk I conversions and 11 DWI Mk II.
Type 429 307 Built	Type 429 Wellington GR Mk VIII: Coastal Command derivative of Mk IC, with ASV radar, depth charges, torpedo and (some aircraft) Leigh light. 30,000lb max weight, built at Weybridge.
Type 458 180 Built	Type 458 Wellington GR Mk XI: Coastal Command equivalent of B Mk X with ASV and torpedo armament. Hercules VI or XVI engines.
Type 455 58 Built	Type 455 Wellington GR Mk XII: Similar to the GR Mk XI with addition of retractable ventral Leigh light. 58 built.
Type 466 844 Built	Type 466 Wellington GR Mk XIII: as GR Mk XI but with 1,725hp Hercules XVII engines. Built at Weybridge and Blackpool.
Type 467 841 Built	Type 467 Wellington GR Mk XIV: as GR Mk XII but with low altitude-rated 1,725 hp Hercules XVII engines. Built at Weybridge, Blackpool and Chester.
Wellington C Mk XV and C Mk XVI	In-service transport conversions of Mk 1A and Mk IC to carry up to 18 troops.
Type 619	Wellington T Mk X: post-war conversion of B Mk X for training role.
Wellington T Mk XVII	In-service conversions of GR Mk XI to train night fighter crews in use of radar equipment.
Type 490 80 Conversions	Type 490 Wellington T Mk XVIII: conversion of GR Mk XIII for radar operator training.

Specification