HANDLEY PAGE HEYFORD WAS A LAST BIPLANE BOMBER IN RAF SERVICE

The Heyford was a last biplane bomber in Royal Air Force service and even looked dated when new it’s fixed spotter landing gear doing nothing to improve its appearance. The Heyford’s wings were of metal frame with fabric covering, while the fuselage was half metal (forward) and half fabric covered. Despite this, the Heyford was the most important British bomber of the mid 1930s.

Three prototypes were ordered for evaluation in 1927, the first having its maiden flight in June 1930. Successful testing led to the type being ordered, and when production ended in July 1936, 15 Heyford Mk I, 21 Heyford Mk IA, 16 Heyford Mk II and 70 Heyford Mk III aircraft had been delivered. The

marks differed little except in the type of engines installed, all Rolls-Royce Kestrels.

Rolls Royce Kestrel

Perhaps the most striking visual feature of the bomber was that its fuselage was mounted on the upper wing. This gave the pilot and defensive gunners an excellent field of vision. To protect the aircraft’s blind spot below and to the rear, a retractable ventral “dustbin” turret could be lowered from beneath the rear fuselage.

The centre section of the lower wing was thick enough to contain cells for the carriage of bombs. It is a matter of opinion if the proximity of the bomb cells to the ground made for speedy re-arming since armourers had to lie on the ground beneath the aircraft to secure the bombs in place.

The first unit to be equipped with the type in November 1933 was No.99 Squadron based at Upper Heyford. Nos. 7, 9, 10, 38, 78, 97, 102, 148, 149, and 166 Squadrons followed.

No 9 Squadron

As Whitley’s and Wellesley’s appeared from 1937, the Heyford was gradually phased out, the last being replaced by Wellingtons in 1939. The type continued to be used for training purposes until being finally retired in July 1941.

Handley Page Heyford Mk IA

First flight: June 1930 (prototype)

Power: Two Rolls-Royce 575hp Kestrel IIIS 12 cylinder piston engines.

Armament: Three 0.303in machine-guns in nose dorsal and ventral “dustbin” positions; up to 3500lb bomb load.     

Size: Wingspan 75ft.

          Length 58ft.

          Height 17ft 6in.

          Wing area 1470 sq ft.

Weights: Empty 9200lb.

                  Maximum take off 16,900lb.

Performance: Maximum speed 142mph.

                          Ceiling 21,000ft.

                          Range 920 miles with reduced bomb load.

                          Climb 700ft per minute.