Handley Page Type O
Handley Page · United Kingdom · first flew 1915 · bomber
The Handley Page Type O (O/100 and O/400) was Britain's first true heavy bomber, a large twin-engine biplane that conducted strategic bombing raids over Germany in the First World War. It was among the largest aircraft of its era.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 19.16 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- WWI British twin-engine heavy biplane bomber
- Large biplane with pusher engines between wings
- First true British strategic bomber
Unmistakeable as an immense four-bay equal-span biplane with two tractor engines in separate nacelles and a long boxlike fuselage; the folding outer wing panels and nose gunner's position are characteristic features.
Specifications
- The Handley Page Type O has a length of 19.16 m (63 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 30.48 m (100 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 137 km/h (85 mph).
- Typical crew: 4-5.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in December 1915, the Type O was designed to the Admiralty's requirement for a 'bloody paralyser' of large size. The O/100 entered service with the Royal Naval Air Service in 1916, followed by the improved O/400 which served with the RAF's Independent Force for strategic bombing. After the war, many were converted for early airline use.
Variants
The O/100 was the initial version with Rolls-Royce Eagle engines in separate nacelles; the O/400 was the main production variant with revised fuel and engine arrangements; the V/1500 was a separate four-engine development intended to bomb Berlin.
Where you'll see it
Served with the Royal Naval Air Service and later the Royal Air Force on strategic bombing raids against German industrial and military targets from 1916 to 1918; postwar examples operated early airline routes.
Related aircraft
- Handley Page O/100
- Handley Page O/400
- Handley Page V/1500
- Handley Page Type W
- AEG G.I
- Caudron G.4
- Caudron R.4
- Friedrichshafen FF.31
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