Vickers Vellore
Vellore / Vellox | |
---|---|
Vickers Vellore | |
Role | mail and freight carrier |
National origin | United Kingdom |
Manufacturer | Vickers |
First flight | 17 May 1928 |
Number built | 3 Vellore and 1 Vellox |
The Vickers Vellore was a large biplane designed as a freight and mail carrier, in single-engined and twin-engined versions, which saw limited use as freighters and long-range experimental aircraft. A final variant with a broader fuselage, the Vellox, was completed as an airliner.
Development
The Vickers Vellore, named after the Indian city of
The Vellore I, fitted with a 515 hp (384 kW)
The Vellore III was a twin-engined development that was fitted with a pair of 525 hp (391 kW) Jupiter XIFs with Townend rings and mounted in nacelles cowlings midway between the wings.[1]
The lower wing was slightly decreased in span so the outboard interplane struts leaned outwards. The other alteration was to the main undercarriage, which was now mounted under the engines, providing a wide track . The Vellore III could also be operated as a seaplane with single-step floats replacing the wheels. A second twin-engined Vellore was built, differing only in having slightly higher compression Jupiter IX engines and eventually known as the Vellore IV. This aircraft was in use until early 1935, transporting troops and stores between Martlesham and nearby Orfordness.[1]
The last aircraft of the series was based on a partially completed third twin-engined Vellore airframe, fitted with a new, broader fuselage with an enclosed cockpit, and cabin windows for the passenger compartment, and was powered by 600 hp (450 kW)
Operational history
Vickers had hoped to sell the Vellox as a ten-passenger airliner and the new fuselage had five windows per side in front of large starboard side freight doors at the wing trailing edge, but the sole example was used by Imperial Airways as a freighter,[2] mailplane, and for testing Lorenz beam.[3] The Vellox crashed shortly after takeoff from Croydon Airport in August 1936 due to a loss of power possibly as a result of a fuel problem.[4] The crew of two pilots and two wireless operators was killed.
Variants
- Vellore I (Type 134)
- Jupiter-powered single-engine freighter, one built.
- Vellore II/Jaguar-Vellore (Type 166)
- Jaguar IV-powered single-engine freighter for Australia flight, one built.
- Vellore III (Type 172)
- Jupiter XIF-powered twin-engine freighter, one built.
- Vellore IV (Type 173)
- Jupiter XIF-powered twin-engine mailplane, one built.
- Vellox (Type 212)
- Pegasus-powered twin-engined airliner, one built.
Specifications (Vellore III)
Data from [5]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Capacity: 1,000 lb (450 kg) mail[6]
- Length: 48 ft 0 in (14.63 m)
- Wingspan: 76 ft 0 in (23.16 m)
- Height: 16 ft 3 in (4.95 m)
- Wing area: 1,373 sq ft (127.6 m2)
- Empty weight: 7,925 lb (3,595 kg)
- Gross weight: 13,000 lb (5,897 kg)
- Powerplant: 2 × Bristol Jupiter XIF nine-cylinder radial engines, 525 hp (391 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 127 mph (204 km/h, 110 kn) at sea level
- Range: 300 mi (480 km, 260 nmi)
- Rate of climb: 850 ft/min (4.3 m/s)
- Time to altitude: 7 min to 5,000 ft (1,500 m)
References
Citations
- ^ a b c d Andrews & Morgan 1988, pp. 226–228, 231, 515
- ^ Andrews & Morgan 1988, pp. 228–231, 515
- ^ "The Four Winds" Flight 19 March 1936
- ^ Commercial Aviation Flight 17 December 1936 p662
- ^ Andrews & Morgan 1988, p. 231
- ^ Andrews & Morgan 1988, p. 228
Bibliography
- Andrews, C.F.; Morgan, E.B. (1988). Vickers Aircraft since 1908 (2nd ed.). London: Putnam. ISBN 0851778151.
- "The Vickers "Vellore"". Flight. 6 September 1928.
- To Australia in a fortnight