| 词条 | Vickers Virginia | |||||||||||||||||
| 释义 |
The Vickers Virginia was a biplane heavy bomber of the British Royal Air Force, developed from the Vickers Vimy. Design and developmentWork on the Virginia was started in 1920, with the aim of developing a replacement for the Vimy. Two prototypes were ordered on 13 January 1921 and another two prototypes were ordered in September 1922.[1] The Virginia was similar to the Vimy, but notably had a lowered front gunner's pulpit to allow the pilot a greater field of view, 20 ft (6 m) greater wingspan, and a 9 ft (3 m) longer fuselage. The Virginia was powered by twin Napier Lion engines. The Virginia flew for the first time on 24 November 1922.[2] At the Aircraft Experimental Establishment at RAF Martlesham Heath, the Virginia prototype underwent type trials. One of the first modifications was to replace the original two-bladed propellers with four-bladed propellers. An unusual set of "fighting top" turrets were added to the top wings, but these were later deleted from production aircraft.[3] The Marks I–VI had straight wings, whereas the Mark VII introduced swept outer wings. Starting with the Mark III the Virginia mounted a rear fuselage gunner, who was moved into a tail turret in the Mark VII. The Mark X was introduced in late 1924 and featured a duralumin and steel structure covered in fabric, aluminium, and wood. A total of 124 Virginias were built, of which 50 were Mark X variants. Operational historyThe first squadron of Mark I Virginias was formed in 1924. Despite mediocre performance, the aircraft served frontline units until 1938, when it was replaced by the newer Wellingtons, Hampdens and Whitleys. Newer designs such as the Fairey Hendon and Handley Page Heyford supplemented rather than replaced the Virginia. The final almost all-metal Virginia Mark X was the most numerous RAF bomber until the ascendance of the Heyford in 1934. After its technical obsolescence as a bomber it was used for photography and for parachute training, with jump platforms installed behind the engine nacelles. On 26 June 1940, a committee discussing the need for airborne cannon for use against invading tanks suggested equipping Virginias with the equally antiquated 37 mm (1.46 in) Coventry Ordnance Works gun. This was not acted on. In the 1930s, the Virginias were used in some of the first tests of midair refuelling, although they were never used in this role outside of tests. The Virginia was developed in parallel with the Vickers Victoria freighter, and the two aircraft had much in common, notably sharing the same wing design. The Virginias were highly accident prone, with 81 lost in this manner. Despite their obsolescence, Virginias continued to soldier on in support roles with the Parachute Test Flight at Henlow until December 1941.[3] Variants
Initial prototype for the RAF, powered by two 450 hp (340 kW) Napier Lion piston engines. One prototype only.
The first type 57 Virginia prototype was re-engined with two 650 hp (490 kW) Rolls-Royce Condor piston engines. One prototype only.
The Type 96 Virginia prototype was fitted with a lengthened fuselage, new forward fuselage and gun positions. One prototype only.
The Type 115 Virginia was converted into the Virginia VII prototype. One prototype only.
Second Virginia prototype, powered by two Napier lion piston engines, fitted with lengthened nose. One built.
Twin-engined heavy night bomber biplane for the RAF, powered by two 468 hp (349 kW) Napier Lion II piston engines, equipped with dual controls. Six built.
Twin-engined heavy night-bomber biplane. Similar to the Virginia Mk II, but with additional equipment.
Twin-engined heavy night-bomber biplane, equipped with a third (central) rudder in the tail unit. 22 built.
Twin-engined heavy night-bomber biplane. Introduced revisions in wing folding and rigging. 25 built.
Twin-engined heavy night-bomber biplane. Redesigned nose, lengthened rear fuselage and sweepback wings. 11 built and 38 conversions.
Twin-engined heavy night-bomber biplane. Introduced automatic slats, wheel breaks and a tail gunner's position. Eight built and 27 conversions.
Twin-engined heavy night-bomber biplane. Incorporated an all-metal structure. 50 built and 53 conversions. Operators
Video
Specifications (Virginia X){{aircraft specifications||plane or copter?=plane |jet or prop?=prop |ref= The British Bomber since 1914 [5] |crew=Four |length main=52 ft 3 in |length alt=15.93 m |span main=87 ft 8 in |span alt=26.77 m |height main=18 ft 2 in |height alt=5.54 m |area main=2,178 ft² |area alt=202.4 m² |empty weight main=9,650 lb |empty weight alt=4,377 kg |loaded weight main= |loaded weight alt= |max takeoff weight main=17,620 lb |max takeoff weight alt=7,993 kg |engine (prop)=Napier Lion VB |type of prop= inline piston |number of props=2 |power main=580 hp |power alt=433 kW |max speed main=108 mph |max speed alt=173 km/h |max speed more=at 5,000 ft (1,520 m) |range main=985 mi |range alt=1,585 km |ceiling main=13,800 ft |ceiling alt=4,210 m |climb rate main= |climb rate alt= |loading main= |loading alt= |power/mass main= |power/mass alt= |more performance= *Climb to 5,000ft (1,520 m): 10 min |guns= 3 × .303 in (7.7 mm) Vickers machine guns |bombs= 3,000 lb (1,360 kg) of bombs }} See also{{aircontent||related=*Vickers Victoria |similar aircraft= |lists=
|see also= }} References
1. ^Jarrett Aeroplane Monthly May 1993, p. 25. 2. ^Andrews and Morgan 1989, p. 131. 3. ^1 Sturvivant 1985, p. 849. 4. ^Thetford Aeroplane Monthly July 1993, pp. 22–23. 5. ^Mason 1994, p. 145.
External links{{commons category|Vickers Virginia}}{{Vickers aircraft}} 5 : British bomber aircraft 1920–1929|Vickers aircraft|Aircraft first flown in 1922|Biplanes|Twin piston-engined tractor aircraft |
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