Vickers Wellington
Vickers · United Kingdom · first flew 1936 · bomber
The Vickers Wellington is a twin-engine British medium bomber, the backbone of RAF Bomber Command in the early war years and famous for the resilience of its geodetic airframe.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Geodetic lattice fuselage structure |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Geodetic lattice fuselage structure
- Deep cigar-shaped fuselage
- Nose and tail gun turrets
Identify it by the deep, cigar-shaped fuselage whose fabric covering reveals the lattice geodetic framework beneath. Nose and tail turrets and two underslung engines confirm the Wellington.
Specifications
- The Vickers Wellington has a length of 19.69 m (65 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 26.26 m (86 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 378 km/h (235 mph).
- Typical crew: 6.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed by Barnes Wallis and first flown in 1936, the Wellington used a basket-weave geodetic structure of duralumin that was light yet able to absorb heavy battle damage. Over 11,000 were built, making it the most-produced British multi-engine aircraft of the war. Crews nicknamed it the 'Wimpy'.
Variants
The Mk IC and Mk III were principal bomber versions, with the Hercules-engined Mk X most numerous. Coastal Command flew anti-submarine variants, some with magnetic mine-detonating loops. Later marks served as trainers and transports.
Where you'll see it
The Wellington served across RAF Bomber and Coastal Commands and as a crew trainer throughout the war. The RAF Museum holds an original example, and the Brooklands Museum displays a Wellington recovered from Loch Ness, displayed near where the type was built. It is a celebrated piece of British aviation heritage.
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- Dornier Do 19
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