The Vickers 'WELLINGTON' Bomber

 

The Wellington bomber was a twin-engined medium bomber. By 1943 these planes had been replaced by newer larger four-engined heavy bombers, and were used for training and maritime patrol duties.

 

Length:                                   19.7 meters

Wingspan:                               26.3 meters

Height:                                   5.2 meters

Weight:           empty              11940 kg

                        loaded             16556 kg

Speed :                                   410 km/h

Ceiling:                                    6710 m

Range:                                     3540 km

Armament:                             eight machine guns and 2000 kg. of bombs

Crew:                                      Six (Pilot, Co-Pilot, Navigator/Radio Operator,

Flight Engineer, Bomb Aimer/Nose Gunner,

Tail Gunner)

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Happened on Dec. 13th., 1943???

Russell McIntyre was the co-pilot of a Wellington bomber. He and five other airmen were returning to their base on a training flight over England when the starboard (right) engine stopped. With only one engine running, the Wellington began to lose altitude. Since the stopped engine also powered the hydraulic system on the aircraft, there was no pressure to lower the wheels in order to land.

 

            Russell undid his seatbelts and volunteered to climb down between the wing spars and crank the wheels down by hand. Just as he finished, the plane slammed down hard in a farmer's field, several miles short of the runway. Since Russell was not strapped in his seat, he was killed by the force of the impact as the plane hit the ground. The other five crew members survived with minor injuries.