Vickers Warwick
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The Vickers Warwick was a transport, anti-submarine patrol and air-sea rescue aircraft of the RAF during World War II.
The Warwick was designed to Air Ministry specification B.1/35 for a two-engined heavy (by the standards of the day) bomber to replace the Wellington. The prototype orders were cancelled in 1936 when it was decided to standardise on four engined bombers. Vickers-Armstrong completed two prototypes, one with Rolls-Royce Vulture water-cooled engines, not persisted with because of production difficulties and one with the air-cooled Pratt & Whitney.
The Warwick used geodetic construction pioneered in the Wellesley and Wellington. Structural members of duralumin were covered by wired-on fabric. 219 Warwick Is were built, the last 95 with 2,000 hp (1,500 kW) R-2800-47 engines.
The Warwick was ordered by Coastal Command for anti-submarine reconnaissance. From 1943 Warwicks were loaded with the 1,700 lb (770 kg) Mk. IA lifeboat and used for air-sea rescue. The lifeboat, designed by yachtsman Uffa Fox, laden with supplies and powered by two 4 hp (3 kW) motors, was aimed with a bomb-sight near to ditched air-crew and dropped into the sea from about 700 ft (320 m). Warwicks were credited with rescuing crews form Halifaxes, Lancasters, Wellingtons and Fortresses and during the Arnhem landings from Hamilcar gliders.
Variants
The Warwick B.Mk I was the original production bomber, of 150 ordered only 16 aircraft were built. They were used for a variety of tests.The Warwick C.Mk 1 or Type 456 was a transport version for BOAC, for use on its Mediterranean and North African routes.
The Warwick ASR were 40 aircraft converted from the Warwick B.Mk I bomber. The Warwick ASRs were used as air/sea rescue aircraft. They could carry two sets of Lindholme lifesaving equipment.
The Warwick ASR (Stage A) were 10 aircraft converted from the Warwick B.Mk 1 bomber. The Warwick ASR (Stage A) was used for air/sea rescue. They could carry one airborne lifeboat and two sets of Lindholme lifesaving equipment.
The Warwick ASR (Stage B) were 20 aircraft converted from the Warwick B.Mk 1 bomber. The Warwick ASR (Stage B) were air/sea rescue aircraft, carrying the same equipment as the Warwick ASRs and ASR (Stage As).
The Warwick ASR.Mk I or Type 462 was an air/sea rescue version, it could carry an airborne lifeboat. The aircraft was powered by two 1,850 hp (1380 kW) Pratt & Whitney Double Wasp R-2800-S1A4G radial piston engines. 205 built.
The Warwick ASR.Mk VI or type 485 was the final air/sea rescue version. The aircraft was powered by two Pratt & Whitney Double Wasp R-2800-2SBG radial piston engines. 94 built.
The Warwick B.Mk II or Type 413 was a bomber prototype, only one machine was ever built, converted from a Warwick B.Mk I.
The Warwick GR.Mk II or (Type 469) was an anti-submarine, general reconnaissance version, equipped to carry torpedoes or bombs with two 2,500 hp (1,864 kW) Bristol Centaurus VI radial piston engines. 118 built.
The Warwick GR.Mk II Met was a meteorological reconnaissance version of the Warwick GR.Mk II. 14 built.
The Warwick C.Mk III or Type 460 was a transport version. It had a pannier-like extension below the central fuselage, the normal loaded weight being raised to 45,000 lb (20,400 kg). It could carry 24 equipped troops or 8 to 10 passengers in the VIP version. No armament was carried. 100 built.
The Warwick GR. Mk V or Type 474 was an anti-submarine, general reconnaissance aircraft. It was powered by two Bristol Centaurus VII radial piston engines, armed with 7 machine guns and could carry 6,000 lb (2,700 kg) of bombs, mines or depth-charges. It arrived too late to see service. 210 built.
Specifications (Warwick I)
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