The Vickers Warwick was a multi-purpose twin-engine British aircraft developed and operated during the Second World War.
In line with the naming convention followed by other RAF heavy bombers of the era, it was named after a British city or town, in this case Warwick.
The Warwick was the largest British twin-engine aircraft to see use during the Second World War.
Variants
Warwick Mark I
Warwick B Mk I
Original production bomber, of 150 ordered, only 16 aircraft were built.
They were used for a variety of tests.
Warwick C Mk I or Vickers Type 456
Transport version for BOAC, for use on its Mediterranean and North African routes, 14 built.
Warwick B/ASR Mk I
40 aircraft converted from the Warwick B Mk I bomber.
The Warwick ASRs were used as air-sea rescue aircraft.
They could carry two sets of Lindholme lifesaving equipment.
Warwick ASR (Stage A)
10 aircraft converted from the Warwick B Mk I bomber.
The Warwick ASR (Stage A) was used for air-sea rescue.
They could carry one airborne lifeboat and two sets of Lindholme lifesaving equipment.
Warwick ASR (Stage B)
20 aircraft converted from the Warwick B Mk I bomber.
Warwick ASR (Stage B)
Air-sea rescue aircraft, carrying the same equipment as the Warwick ASRs and ASR (Stage As).
Warwick ASR Mk I or Vickers Type 462
Air-sea rescue version, it could carry an airborne lifeboat.
The aircraft was powered by two 1,850 hp (1380 kW) Pratt & Whitney Double Wasp R-2800-S1A4G radial piston engines, 205 built.
Warwick Mark II
Warwick B Mk II or Vickers Type 413
Bomber prototype, only one example was ever built, converted from a Warwick B Mk I.
Warwick GR Mk II or Vickers Type 469
Anti-submarine, general reconnaissance version.
It was equipped to carry torpedoes and bombs.
It was powered two 2,500 hp (1,864 kW) Bristol Centaurus VI radial piston engines; 118 built.
Warwick GR Mk II Met
Meteorological reconnaissance version of the Warwick GR Mk II; 14 built.
Warwick Mark III
Warwick C Mk III or Vickers Type 460
Transport version
It had a pannier-like extension below the central fuselage, the normal loaded weight being raised to 45,000 lb (20,400 kg).
It could carry 24 equipped troops or eight to 10 passengers in the VIP version.
No armament was carried, 100 built.
Warwick Mark V
Warwick GR Mk V or Vickers Type 474
Anti-submarine, general reconnaissance aircraft.
It was powered by two Bristol Centaurus VII radial piston engines, armed with 7 machine guns and could carry 6,000 pounds (2,700 kg) of bombs, mines or depth charges.
A Leigh light was fitted ventrally.
The first operational sortie was carried out by 179 Squadron on 4 December 1944; 210 built.
Warwick Mark VI
Warwick ASR Mk VI or Vickers Type 485
Final air-sea rescue version.
The aircraft was powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-2800-2SBG Double Wasp radial piston engines; 94 built.
Specifications
Crew
Six
Length
72 ft 3 in (22.02 m)
Wingspan
96 ft 8+1⁄2 in (29.477 m)
Height
18 ft 6 in (5.64 m)
Wing area
1,006 sq ft (93.5 m2)
Empty weight
28,154 lb (12,770 kg)
Max take-off weight
45,000 lb (20,412 kg)
Powerplant
2 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800/S.1A4-G “Double Wasp” radial engines, 1,850 hp (1,380 kW) each
Performance
Maximum speed
224 mph (360 km/h, 195 kn)
Range
2,300 mi (3,700 km, 2,000 nmi)
Service ceiling
21,500 ft (6,600 m)
Rate of climb
660 ft/min (3.4 m/s)
Armament
Guns
8 x .303 (7.7 mm) Browning machine guns in three turrets.
