Vultee A-31 Vengeance
Vultee Aircraft · United States · first flew 1941 · bomber
The Vultee Vengeance was an American two-seat dive bomber built primarily for export to Britain and Australia, serving in the Burma-India theatre where it proved effective in the close air support role. Its inverted gull wing and dive brakes are its most distinctive features.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 12.12 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- WWII Allied dive bomber with inverted gull wing
- Wright R-2600 Twin Cyclone radial engine
- Dive flaps under the wing trailing edge
The inverted gull centre-section of the wing — dihedral on the outer panels, anhedral on the inner section — is the primary identifier. The Twin Cyclone radial in a large cowling, tandem cockpit, and perforated dive flaps under the wings complete the picture.
Specifications
- The Vultee A-31 Vengeance has a length of 12.12 m (40 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14.63 m (48 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 449 km/h (279 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Ordered by France in 1940 and taken over by Britain after France fell, the Vengeance was produced in substantial numbers by Vultee and Northrop under contract. It entered RAF service in 1942 and proved particularly successful in Burma where enemy air opposition was limited.
Variants
The A-31 was the initial version; the A-35 had a more powerful engine and was the main US Army Air Forces designation. The RAF operated both as the Vengeance Mk I through Mk IV.
Where you'll see it
The Vengeance served with the RAF in Burma and India, and with the Royal Australian Air Force in the Pacific. It was used by Brazil in small numbers and the US operated it for training.
Related aircraft
- Vultee BT-15 Valiant
- Vultee Vengeance III
- Vultee Vengeance II
- Vultee Vengeance IV
- Avro Lancaster
- Avro Lancaster B.I
- Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress
- Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation Woomera
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