The Vickers Vernon was a British biplane troop carrier[1] used by the Royal Air Force. It entered service in 1921, and was the first dedicated troop transport of the RAF.

Vernon
Vernon of 70 Squadron RAF, powered by Rolls-Royce Eagle engines.
Role	Transport Type of aircraft
Manufacturer	Vickers
Introduction	1921
Retired	1927
Primary user	Royal Air Force
Number built	55
Developed from	Vickers Vimy Commercial

The Vernon was a development of the Vickers Vimy Commercial, a passenger variant of the famous Vickers Vimy bomber, and was powered by twin Napier Lion engines or Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII engines.[1] 55 were built.

In February 1923, Vernons of Nos. 45 and 70 Squadrons RAF airlifted nearly 500 troops to Kirkuk, Iraq[2] after the civilian area of that town had been overrun by Kurdish forces. This was the first-ever[3] strategic airlift of troops.

Vernons of No. 45 Squadron had bomb racks and sights fitted.[4] In May 1924 the squadron was officially designated No. 45 (Bombing) Sqdn.[5]

Vernons were replaced by Vickers Victorias from 1927.

Variants

Vernon Mk I

military transport aircraft powered by two 360 hp (270 kW) V-12 Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII piston engines.

Vernon Mk II

military transport aircraft powered by two 450 hp (340 kW) W-12 Napier Lion II piston engines.

Vernon Mk III

military transport aircraft powered by two high compression 525 hp (391 kW) W-12 Napier Lion III piston engines.

Operators

 United Kingdom

• Royal Air Force
  • No. 45 Squadron RAF
  • No. 70 Squadron RAF

Specifications (Vernon)

Data from Aircraft of the Royal Air Force[6]

General characteristics

• Crew: 3
• Capacity: 11 passengers
• Length: 42 ft 8 in (13.00 m)
• Wingspan: 68 ft 1 in (20.75 m)
• Height: 13 ft 3 in (4.04 m)
• Wing area: 1,330 sq ft (124 m²)
• Empty weight: 7,981 lb (3,620 kg)
• Gross weight: 12,544 lb (5,690 kg)
• Powerplant: 2 × Napier Lion water-cooled 12-cylinder broad-arrow engine, 450 hp (340 kW) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 118 mph (190 km/h, 103 kn) at ground level[7]
• Cruise speed: 75 mph (121 km/h, 65 kn)
• Range: 320 mi (510 km, 280 nmi) at 80 mph (70 kn; 130 km/h)[7]
• Service ceiling: 11,700 ft (3,600 m) [7]
• Time to altitude: 13 min 30 s to 6,000 ft (1,800 m)

Armament

• Bombs: Provision for bombs

See also

Related development

• Vickers Vimy

Related lists

• List of aircraft of the Royal Air Force

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vickers Vernon.

• Andrews, E. N.; Morgan, E. B. (1988). Vickers Aircraft Since 1908 (2nd ed.). London: Putnam. ISBN 0-85177-815-1.
• Embry, Basil (1976). Mission Completed. London: White Lion. ISBN 0-7274-0260-9.
• Johnson, Brian; Cozens, H. I. (1984). Bombers The Weapon of Total War. London: Methuen. ISBN 0-423-00630-4.
• Moyes, Philip (1964). Bomber Squadrons of the R.A.F. and Their Aircraft. London: MacDonald. OCLC 796778515.
• Thetford, Owen (1957). Aircraft of the Royal Air Force 1918–57 (1st ed.). London: Putnam. OCLC 936602559.
• Thetford, Owen (1962). Aircraft of the Royal Air Force since 1918. London: Putnam. OCLC 213505944.
• Wragg, David (1986). Airlift A History of Military Air Transport. Shrewsbury: Airlife. ISBN 0-906393-61-2.

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