Vickers Valetta

Last updated

Valetta
Vickers Valetta.jpg
Role Military transport aircraft
Manufacturer Vickers-Armstrongs Ltd
First flight30 June 1947
Primary user Royal Air Force
Number built262
Developed from Vickers VC.1 Viking
Variants Vickers Varsity

The Vickers Valetta is a twin-engine military transport aircraft developed and produced by the British manufacturing company Vickers-Armstrongs Ltd. Developed from the Vickers VC.1 Viking compact civil airliner, it was an all-metal mid-wing monoplane with a tailwheel undercarriage.

Contents

Development of the Valetta commenced during immediate postwar years as a consequence of Royal Air Force (RAF) interest in a military transport model of the Viking. Amongst the requirements stipulated for the aircraft was the need for it to rapidly alternate between various different roles, including that of a troop transport, air ambulance, freighter, glider tug and paratroop carrier. To accommodate these various roles, many of the aircraft's furnishings were designed to be rapidly removed and replaced by alternative configurations. Further design changes from the Viking included the adoption of more powerful Bristol Hercules 230 radial engines, a reinforced cabin floor and a strengthened undercarriage.

Having performed its maiden flight on 30 June 1947, the Valetta was quickly introduced to RAF service during the following year. The type promptly became a major element of Transport Command's activities and participated in various British military operations conducted during the 1950s and 1960s, including the Suez Crisis, Aden, and the Malayan Emergency. It was further developed into multiple variants, including a VIP model, and multiple training models. Most extensively, the Valetta was the basis for the Vickers Varsity, a dedicated military trainer aircraft.

Development

Background

The origins of the Valetta are closely associated with the aircraft from which it was derived from, the Vickers VC.1 Viking, a civil-orientated airliner which had in turn been derived from the Second World War-era Vickers Wellington medium bomber. [1] During the latter stages of the Viking's development, it underwent extensive evaluations by the Royal Air Force (RAF). Several officials took an interest in seeing the type procured as a dedicated military transport variant with which to equip RAF Transport Command, using the aircraft as a quick replacement for numerous worn-out transport aircraft that had served in the Second World War. [2]

It was on the basis of this interest that the Air Ministry decided to formalise the requirement, issuing Specification C.9/46 with Vicker's design specifically in mind. The aviation author C. F. Andrews observed that the specification was relatively forward-looking for the era, particularly as it required the aircraft to be rapidly convertible for performing various roles, including as a troop carrier, air ambulance, freighter, glider tug, and for air-dropping both paratroopers and supplies. [2]

Into flight

The first prototype Valetta, which had originally been built as a standard Viking (c/n 158), was completed during the first half of 1947. On 30 June 1947, this prototype performed the type's maiden flight from Brooklands, piloted by Vicker's test pilot Mutt Summers. [3] [4]

Although the Valetta was named after the Maltese capital Valletta, the aircraft's name is spelt with only a single "l". The Viking and Valetta provided the basis of the Varsity. The Varsity, although similar, was slightly larger and had a tricycle undercarriage arrangement and was equipped with a distinctive under-fuselage pannier for accommodating a bomb-aimer and up to 24 practice bombs. [5]

Design

The Vickers Valetta was a twin-engine military transport aircraft. The fundamental differences between the Valetta and its Viking predecessor consisted of the fitting of more powerful engines, the installation of a strengthened cabin floor and the presence of a sizable pair of reinforced double-doors on the side of the fuselage for loading and unloading cargoes. [6] [2] The use of more powerful engines was largely necessitated by the aircraft's roughly 2,000 lb increase in all-up weight over that of the Viking. The engines fitted to the Valetta were a pair of Bristol Hercules 230 radial engines, each capable of providing up to 2,000 hp. [3]

To best accommodate its use as a transport aircraft, Valetta was designed to accommodate various-sized military cargoes, even relatively bulky ones; thus the interior floor was designed to support as much as 1,500 lb being exerted upon any single focused point of contact; this floor was lined with anchoring points from which to secure cargoes to. [2] Furthermore, many of the interior furnishings were designed to be quickly-removable, enabling the aircraft to quickly be converted between roles; these furnishings included multiple styles of seating, a loading winch, vehicle ramps, floor rollers, glider-towing apparatus, additional fuel tanks, and side-wall soundproofing measures. [7] As a troop transport, up to 34 fully-equipped soldiers could be carried by a single Valetta, while up to 20 stretcher-bound personnel, along with two medical attendants, could be transported in the air ambulance layout; the paratroop configuration accommodated as maximum of 20 paratroopers along with nine 350 lb air-droppable supply containers. [8]

Several external provisions for handling various payloads were present, such as the carriable of supply containers upon twin racks installed under the centre fuselage. [8] To enable gliders to be towed, the rear fuselage featured a pyramid-shaped structure that was used for the anchoring point and release mechanism alike. For extended range operations, optional flexible bag-like tanks could be installed. To accommodate higher weight payloads that had been anticipated in the Viking's operations and to better withstand rougher landings, the undercarriage was reinforced considerably. [9]

Operational history

During 1948, the Valetta C.1 entered service with the RAF. Its arrival in quantity led to the rapid replacement of the wartime Douglas Dakotas within RAF Transport Command, including the numerous transport squadrons stationed across the Middle East and Far East. [4] The Valetta was used over active conflict zones, such as to perform numerous parachute drops over Egypt during the 1956 Suez Crisis. [10] The type was frequently in its transport capacity to support a number of other British military operations throughout the 1950s and 1960s, including during the Malayan Emergency, [11] and Aden. [12] [3]

Vickers Valetta T.3 of the RAF College at Blackbushe airport in September 1956. Note the cabin-top astrodomes and aerials for navigational training Vickers 664 Valetta T.3 WG266 RAFC BLA 09.56.jpg
Vickers Valetta T.3 of the RAF College at Blackbushe airport in September 1956. Note the cabin-top astrodomes and aerials for navigational training
Valetta T.4 of No.2 ANS with extended radar nose Vickers Valetta T.4 WJ485 2 ANS MStG 14.09.63 edited-3.jpg
Valetta T.4 of No.2 ANS with extended radar nose

While the vast majority of Valettas were of the C.1 standard, there were several specialised variants inducted as well. The Valetta C.2 was a dedicated VIP passenger transport, its performance was largely similar save for its extended range capabilities. [13] [3]

The Valetta T.3 was built to provide a navigational trainer for service with the RAF College at RAF Cranwell and with No.1 and No.2 Air Navigation Schools. They could be visually distinguished from prior variants by the presence of numerous astrodomes across the top of its fuselage. [3] 40 aircraft were delivered from August 1951, with the last being WJ487 in September 1952. A total of 18 Valetta T.3s were subsequently converted to the T.4 standard, which featured an enlarged nose that accommodate a radar unit, enabling the model to be used for the training of personnel in the aircraft interception (AI) role. [14] [15]

Several individual Valettas were modified under various experimental programmes performed by Vickers. [15] Various alternative undercarriages were trialled, although these reportedly displayed little change in ground handling performance when compared against the standard configuration. [15]

Variants

Operators

Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom

Accidents and incidents

Aircraft on display

A Valetta C.2 preserved at the Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum Flixton Air Museum - geograph.org.uk - 371807.jpg
A Valetta C.2 preserved at the Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum

Specifications (Vickers Valetta C.1)

Data fromVickers Aircraft since 1908 [25]

General characteristics

Performance

Notable appearances in media

A long sequence in the 1957 film High Flight shows the Valetta T3 used as a flying navigation classroom at RAF College Cranwell.[ citation needed ]

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vickers Wellington</span> British twin-engined, long-range medium bomber

The Vickers Wellington is a British twin-engined, long-range medium bomber. It was designed during the mid-1930s at Brooklands in Weybridge, Surrey. Led by Vickers-Armstrongs' chief designer Rex Pierson, a key feature of the aircraft is its geodetic airframe fuselage structure, which was principally designed by Barnes Wallis. Development had been started in response to Air Ministry Specification B.9/32, issued in the middle of 1932, for a bomber for the Royal Air Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vickers VC10</span> British narrow-body airliner

The Vickers VC10 is a mid-sized, narrow-body long-range British jet airliner designed and built by Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd and first flown at Brooklands, Surrey, in 1962. The VC10 is often compared to the larger Soviet Ilyushin Il-62, the two types being the only airliners to use a rear-engined quad layout, while the smaller business jet Lockheed JetStar also has this engine arrangement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vickers Vanguard</span> British medium-range airliner with 4 turboprop engines, 1959

The Vickers Vanguard was a short/medium-range turboprop airliner designed and produced by the British aircraft manufacturer Vickers-Armstrongs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vickers Vimy</span> Type of aircraft

The Vickers Vimy was a British heavy bomber aircraft developed and manufactured by Vickers Limited. Developed during the latter stages of the First World War to equip the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), the Vimy was designed by Rex Pierson, Vickers' chief designer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Supermarine Scimitar</span> British naval fighter-bomber aircraft from the Cold War era

The Supermarine Scimitar is a single-seat naval strike aircraft that was designed and produced by the British aircraft manufacturer Supermarine. Operated exclusively by the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm, it was the final aircraft to be entirely designed and manufactured by Supermarine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vickers Wellesley</span> British single-engined medium bomber

The Vickers Wellesley was a medium bomber that was designed and produced by the British aircraft manufacturer Vickers-Armstrongs at Brooklands near Weybridge, Surrey. It was one of two aircraft to be named after Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, the other being the Vickers Wellington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle</span> 1940 airlifter by Armstrong Whitworth

The Armstrong Whitworth A.W.41 Albemarle was a twin-engine transport aircraft developed by the British aircraft manufacturer Armstrong Whitworth and primarily produced by A.W. Hawksley Ltd, a subsidiary of the Gloster Aircraft Company. It was one of many aircraft which entered service with the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Handley Page Hastings</span> British troop-carrier and freight transport aircraft

The Handley Page HP.67 Hastings is a retired British troop-carrier and freight transport aircraft designed and manufactured by aviation company Handley Page for the Royal Air Force (RAF). Upon its introduction to service during September 1948, the Hastings was the largest transport plane ever designed for the service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Supermarine Attacker</span> Carrier-based fighter aircraft; first jet fighter in Royal Navy service

The Supermarine Attacker is a British single-seat naval jet fighter designed and produced by aircraft manufacturer Supermarine for the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm (FAA). It was the first jet fighter to enter operational service with the FAA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Armstrong Whitworth AW.660 Argosy</span> 1959 transport aircraft family by Armstrong Whitworth

The Armstrong Whitworth Argosy was a British post-war transport/cargo aircraft; it was the final aircraft to be designed and produced by aviation company Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft. Although given different internal design numbers, the AW.650 civil and AW.660 military models were, for most practical purposes, the same design, while both models also shared the "Argosy" name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vickers VC.1 Viking</span> British airliner with 2 piston engines, 1945

The Vickers VC.1 Viking is a British twin-engine short-range airliner derived from the Vickers Wellington bomber and built by Vickers-Armstrongs Limited at Brooklands near Weybridge in Surrey. After the Second World War, the Viking was an important airliner with British airlines, pending the development of turboprop aircraft like the Viscount. An experimental airframe was fitted with Rolls-Royce Nene turbojets and first flown in 1948 as the world's first pure jet transport aircraft. Military developments were the Vickers Valetta and the Vickers Varsity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vickers Viking</span> Type of aircraft

The Vickers Viking was a British single-engine amphibious aircraft designed for military use shortly after World War I. Later versions of the aircraft were known as the Vickers Vulture and Vickers Vanellus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hawker Siddeley Andover</span> Military transport aircraft series by Hawker Siddeley, later British Aerospace

The Hawker Siddeley HS 780 Andover is a twin-engined turboprop military transport aircraft produced by Hawker Siddeley for the Royal Air Force (RAF), developed from the Avro-designed HS 748 airliner. The Andover was named after the Avro Andover, a biplane transport used by the RAF for medical evacuation between the first and second world wars; and RAF Andover, where some of its trials were carried out. The Andover had a kneeling landing gear to make ramp loading easier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vickers Victoria</span> Type of aircraft

The Vickers Type 56 Victoria was a British biplane freighter and troop transport aircraft used by the Royal Air Force. The Victoria flew for the first time in 1922 and was selected for production over the Armstrong Whitworth Awana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blackburn Beverley</span> British heavy transport aircraft, 1950

The Blackburn B-101 Beverley is a heavy transport aircraft produced by the British aircraft manufacturer Blackburn Aircraft. It was notably the only land-based transport aeroplane built by Blackburn, a company that otherwise specialised in producing naval fighter aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vickers Varsity</span> 1949 military trainer aircraft based on the Vickers Viking

The Vickers Varsity is a retired British twin-engined crew trainer operated by the Royal Air Force from 1951 to 1976.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vickers Venom</span> Type of aircraft

The Vickers Type 279 Venom was a British low-wing monoplane single-seat, single-engined, eight-gun fighter aircraft. It was fast and manoeuvrable but its Bristol Aquila radial engine was disliked. Together with other designs built to the same specification, which included the Bristol Type 146, Gloster F.5/34, and Martin-Baker MB 2, it was rejected by the Air Ministry and only one Venom was built.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vickers Vellore</span> Type of aircraft

The Vickers Vellore was a large biplane designed as a freight and mail carrier, in single-engined and twin-engined versions, which saw limited use as freighters and long-range experimental aircraft. A final variant with a broader fuselage, the Vellox, was completed as an airliner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vickers Jockey</span> Prototype of fighter-interceptor

The Vickers Type 151 Jockey was an experimental low-wing monoplane interceptor fighter powered by a radial engine. It was later modified into the Type 171 Jockey II, which had a more powerful engine and detail improvements. Only one was built; it was lost before its development was complete, but the knowledge gained enabled Vickers to produce the more refined Venom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vickers Viget</span> Type of aircraft

The Vickers Viget was Vickers' entrant for the first Lympne light aircraft competition, held in 1923. It was a single-seat, single-engined biplane with folding wings.

References

Citations

  1. Andrews 1969, pp. 396, 408.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Andrews 1969, p. 408.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Andrews 1969, p. 411.
  4. 1 2 3 Thetford 1957, pp. 446–447.
  5. Andrews 1969, p. 413.
  6. Donald, David, ed. The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. London: Aerospace Publishing, 1997. ISBN   1-85605-375-X.
  7. Andrews 1969, p. 408-410.
  8. 1 2 Andrews 1969, p. 410.
  9. Andrews 1969, pp. 410-411.
  10. Paul, James Paul and Martin Spirit. "The Last Drop 3 Para at El Gamil airfield." Archived 25 April 2007 at the Wayback Machine Britain's Small Wars, 2008. Retrieved: 10 April 2007.
  11. Paul, James Paul and Martin Spirit. "RAF in Malaya." Archived 25 April 2007 at the Wayback Machine Britain's Small Wars, 2008. Retrieved: 10 April 2007.
  12. Paul, James Paul and Martin Spirit. "The RAF in Aden and the Radafan." Archived 27 April 2007 at the Wayback Machine Britain's Small Wars, 2008. Retrieved: 10 April 2007.
  13. Thetford 1957 (rev 1988), p. 566.
  14. Martin 1975, pp. 35–37.
  15. 1 2 3 4 Andrews 1969, p. 412.
  16. Taylor, Michael J.H. Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions, 1989. ISBN   0-517-10316-8.
  17. "Accident Description: Valetta C1." aviation-safety.net.
  18. "Accident Description: Valetta T3." aviation-safety.net.
  19. Service Aviation Flight 15 January 1954
  20. "ASN Aircraft accident Vickers Valetta C.1 WJ494 Singapore-Changi RAF Station" aviation-safety.net.
  21. "ASN Aircraft accident Vickers Valetta C.1 VW832 Queria" aviation-safety.net.
  22. "Vickers Viking/Valetta/Varsity". Oldprops. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  23. "OUR AIRCRAFT". Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  24. "Valetting the Valetta". Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  25. Andrews and Morgan 1988, p. 416.
  26. Andrews and Morgan 1988, p. 411.
  27. 1 2 3 4 5 Bridgman 1951, pp. 92c–93c.

Bibliography

  • Andrews, C.F. Vickers Aircraft Since 1908. London: Putnam, 1969.
  • Andrews, C.F. and E.B. Morgan. Vickers Aircraft since 1908. London: Putnam, 1988. ISBN   0-85177-815-1.
  • Bridgman, Leonard. Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1951–52. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Ltd, 1951.
  • Martin, Bernard. The Viking, Valetta and Varsity. Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. 1975. ISBN   0-85130-038-3.
  • Thetford, Owen. Aircraft of the Royal Air Force 1918-57. London: Putnam, 1st edition, 1957.