Vickers Varsity
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The Vickers Varsity T.Mk 1 was a twin-engined crew trainer operated by the British Royal Air Force for twenty-five years from 1951. Developed by Vickers and based on the Vickers Viking, the main differences were the wider span wings, longer fuselage and tricycle undercarriage, the Varsity first flew in 1949.
The Royal Swedish Air Force operated an example in the 1950s and 1960s on electronic intelligence missions.
The Varsity was withdrawn from service with the RAF in May 1976, its role as a pilot and navigation trainer taken over by the Scottish Aviation Jetstream T1.
The last flying example (Serial WL679) was operated by the Royal Aircraft Establishment, it was retired into preservation at the RAF Museum in 1992.
Specifications (T.Mk I)
General characteristics
- Crew: four
- Length: 67 ft 6 in (20.57 m)
- Wingspan: 95 ft 7 in (29.13 m)
- Height: 23 ft 11 in (7.29 m)
- Wing area: ft² ( m²)
- Empty: lb ( kg)
- Loaded: 37,500 lb (17,010 kg)
- Maximum takeoff: lb ( kg)
- Powerplant: 2x Bristol Hercules 264 14-cylinder radial engines, 1950 hp
Performance
- Maximum speed: 250 kt (290 mph or 460 km/h) at 10,000 ft (3,000 m)
- Range: 2,300 nm (2650 mi or 4260 km)
- Service ceiling: 28,700 ft (8,750 m)
- Rate of climb:
- Wing loading: lb/ft² ( kg/m²)
- Power/Mass: hp/lb ( kW/kg)
Armament
- 600 lb (272 kg) practice bombs in an external pannier
Operators
See also
Windsor - Viking - Valetta - Viscount - Varsity - Valiant - Vanguard - VC-10
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