Vickers Vernon

The Vickers Vernon was a British biplane troop carrier[1] used by the Royal Air Force. It entered service in 1921, and was the first dedicated troop transport of the RAF.

Vernon
Vernon of 70 Squadron RAF, powered by Rolls-Royce Eagle engines.
Role Transport
Manufacturer Vickers
Introduction 1921
Retired 1927
Primary user Royal Air Force
Number built 55
Developed from Vickers Vimy Commercial

The Vernon was a development of the Vickers Vimy Commercial, a passenger variant of the famous Vickers Vimy bomber, and was powered by twin Napier Lion engines or Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII engines.[1] 55 were built.

In February 1923, Vernons of Nos. 45 and 70 Squadrons RAF airlifted nearly 500 troops to Kirkuk, Iraq[2] after the civilian area of that town had been overrun by Kurdish forces. This was the first-ever[3] strategic airlift of troops.

Vernons of No. 45 Squadron had bomb racks and sights fitted.[4] In May 1924 the squadron was officially designated No. 45 (Bombing) Sqdn.[5]

Vernons were replaced by Vickers Victorias from 1927.

Variants
Vernon Mk I
Twin-engined military transport aircraft for the RAF.
Vernon Mk II
Powered by two 450 hp (340 kW) Napier Lion II piston engines.
Vernon Mk III
Powered by two Napier Lion III piston engines.

Operators
 United Kingdom

Specifications (Vernon)

Data from Aircraft of the Royal Air Force[6]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 3
  • Capacity: 11 passengers
  • Length: 42 ft 8 in (13.00 m)
  • Wingspan: 68 ft 1 in (20.75 m)
  • Height: 13 ft 3 in (4.04 m)
  • Wing area: 1,330 sq ft (124 m2)
  • Empty weight: 7,981 lb (3,620 kg)
  • Gross weight: 12,544 lb (5,690 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Napier Lion water-cooled 12-cylinder broad-arrow engine, 450 hp (340 kW) each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 118 mph (190 km/h, 103 kn) at ground level[7]
  • Cruise speed: 75 mph (121 km/h, 65 kn)
  • Range: 320 mi (510 km, 280 nmi) at 80 mph (70 kn; 130 km/h)[7]
  • Service ceiling: 11,700 ft (3,600 m)
  • Time to altitude: 13 min 30 s to 6,000 ft (1,800 m)

Armament

  • Bombs: Provision for bombs

See also

Related development

Related lists

References
  1. Thetford 1962, p. 443
  2. Wragg 1986, p. 13
  3. Johnson & Cozens 1984, p. 38
  4. Embry 1976, p. 34
  5. Moyes 1964, p. 67
  6. Thetford 1957, pp. 420–421
  7. Andrews & Morgan 1988, p. 104
  • Andrews, E. N.; Morgan, E. B. (1988). Vickers Aircraft Since 1908 (2nd ed.). London: Putnam. ISBN 0-85177-815-1.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Embry, Basil (1976). Mission Completed. London: White Lion. ISBN 0-7274-0260-9.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Johnson, Brian; Cozens, H. I. (1984). Bombers The Weapon of Total War. London: Methuen. ISBN 0-423-00630-4.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Moyes, Philip (1964). Bomber Squadrons of the R.A.F. and Their Aircraft. London: MacDonald. OCLC 796778515.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Thetford, Owen (1957). Aircraft of the Royal Air Force 1918–57 (1st ed.). London: Putnam. OCLC 936602559.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Thetford, Owen (1962). Aircraft of the Royal Air Force since 1918. London: Putnam. OCLC 213505944.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Wragg, David (1986). Airlift A History of Military Air Transport. Shrewsbury: Airlife. ISBN 0-906393-61-2.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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