Operational history Vickers Warwick

a section of rear fuselage warwick showing geodesic construction in duralumin. on exhibit @ armstrong & aviation museum @ bamburgh castle.

the first production warwick b mk delivered raf testing @ aeroplane , armament experimental establishment, boscombe down on 3 july 1942. on 28 january 1942, first aircraft lost, reportedly due fabric panels on wings had come loose. second production warwick promptly took place in flying trials; on 18 february 1943, destroyed, fire began in starboard engine.

only 16 aircraft delivered bombers, time more capable four-engined heavy bombers such short stirling , handley page halifax in service. warwicks delivered in bomber configuration saw little use such, instead being used investigate various technical features , issues, including navigational equipment, engine performance, role suitability, , air-deployable lifeboats. became clear warwick, spacious fuselage , long range, suited utility roles. in january 1943, air staff decided warwick serve predominant platform transport , air-sea rescue.

early testing showed warwick under-powered , severe handling problems, when flown on single engine. accordingly, stability , control trials commenced third production warwick, yielded acceptable handling during single engine operations when outfitted new bulged rudder. version of double wasp fitted models proved extremely unreliable many in-flight failures; later versions fitted centaurus engine had better performance handling problems never solved.

the warwick subsequently considered transport , air-sea rescue roles, , bv243 converted transport serve trial aircraft. additional 13 mk converted on production line c mk transports use boac. boac s warwicks used briefly on middle east services before being transferred raf transport command in 1944. 1 hundred similar aircraft built raf warwick c mk iiis, , entered service 525 squadron in june 1944, 3 more squadrons operating warwick iii. used in mediterranean theatre, vulnerability of fabric skinning high temperature , humidity stopped plans operate warwick in far east, model remaining in use until retired in 1946.

the remainder of first batch of 250 warwicks used raf coastal command anti-submarine reconnaissance. 1943, warwicks loaded 1,700 lb (770 kg) mk ia airborne lifeboat , used air-sea rescue. lifeboat, designed yachtsman uffa fox, laden supplies , powered 2 4 hp (3.0 kw) motors, aimed bombsight near ditched air crew , dropped parachute sea altitude of 700 ft (210 m). warwicks credited rescuing crews halifaxes, lancasters, wellingtons , b-17 flying fortress, , during operation market garden, hamilcar gliders, of ditched in english channel or north sea.

a production order 525 warwick mk v placed although 235 completed, of went directly storage in 1944. in 1945, stored variant issued 179 squadron, stationed @ raf st eval. warwick mk v operated 17 , 27 squadrons of south african air force.