Vickers Wellington DWI
Wellington DWI was created by equipping the serial Mk.I with equipment for combating magnetic naval mines.
The prototype was Wellington Mk.IA (P2516) equipped with a demagnetization ring, developed in cooperation with the Royal Aircraft Establishment and the Admiralty Research Laboratory, with a diameter of 15, 85 m below the fuselage and in-line Ford V-8 engine powered by a Maudesley generator with an output of 35 kW. He made his first takeoff from the RAF Boscombe Down base on December 21, 1939.
Successful tests were followed by the reconstruction of three other aircraft, which, under the designation Wellington DWI Mk.I (Type 418), entered active service in February 1940.
Eleven DWI Mk.II (referred to by some sources as DWI Mk.U) (Type 419) was created by rebuilding Wellington Mk.I discarded ob Bomber Command. They were equipped with a smaller diameter ring (14.67 m) and a 90 kW English Electric generator powered by a de Havilland Gypsy Six engine. Several aircraft served at No.1 GRU operating over the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean.
An unknown number of Wellingtons were, with the help of parts supplied from England, modified in this way for units serving in the Middle East.
DWI is an abbreviation Direction Wireless Installation - directional wireless (radio) equipment [--6: 0] this name was coined to deceive German intelligence.
Deployment method:
During demining flights, the aircraft flew over the designated area at low altitude and at low speed. The electric voltage supplied by the generator generated a strong magnetic field as it passed through the ring, similar to that created by the ship's steel hull, and this activated the magnetic detonators of the mines.
Wellington DWI was created by equipping the serial Mk.I with equipment for combating magnetic naval mines.
The prototype was Wellington Mk.IA (P2516) equipped with a demagnetization ring, developed in cooperation with the Royal Aircraft Establishment and the Admiralty Research Laboratory, with a diameter of 15, 85 m below the fuselage and in-line Ford V-8 engine powered by a Maudesley generator with an output of 35 kW. He made his first takeoff from the RAF Boscombe Down base on December 21, 1939.
Successful tests were followed by the reconstruction of three other aircraft, which, under the designation Wellington DWI Mk.I (Type 418), entered active service in February 1940.
Eleven DWI Mk.II (referred to by some sources as DWI Mk.U) (Type 419) was created by rebuilding Wellington Mk.I discarded ob Bomber Command. They were equipped with a smaller diameter ring (14.67 m) and a 90 kW English Electric generator powered by a de Havilland Gypsy Six engine. Several aircraft served at No.1 GRU operating over the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean.
An unknown number of Wellingtons were, with the help of parts supplied from England, modified in this way for units serving in the Middle East.
DWI is an abbreviation Direction Wireless Installation - directional wireless (radio) equipment [--6: 0] this name was coined to deceive German intelligence.
Deployment method:
During demining flights, the aircraft flew over the designated area at low altitude and at low speed. The electric voltage supplied by the generator generated a strong magnetic field as it passed through the ring, similar to that created by the ship's steel hull, and this activated the magnetic detonators of the mines.
