Handley Page Halifax

Přehled verzí

Handley Page Halifax


British heavy bomber Handley Page Halifax passed initially rather similar development, which went through his more famous and more widespread contemporary four-engine bomber Avro Lancaster. Perhaps the only difference was that the company Handley Page Ltd. was allowed to change the project of a twin-engined aircraft to four-engine without building a prototype. The company And. In. Roe & Co. Ltd., was not so lucky and had to first fabricate two hundreds of a not very successful twin-engine bombers Avro Manchester and after this adjust the machine to form čtyřmotorového Lancaster.

Build directives


For the emergence of these bombers became the directive of the development plan (the RAF Expansion Program) B.13/36. the Ministry of aviation following the directive issued in may 1936, the articulation of technical requirements for a new twin-engine bomber was not easy, in the Ministry of aviation, but also in the RAF was a lot of old officers, who served in world war in cavalry, and over time they got to high positions in the air force. The requirements for a new advanced bomber was subsequently literally discarded completely meaningless requirements. The most interesting of these requirements was a requirement for collecting the reports and dispatches from the ground units of the twin-engine bomber weighing more than 20 000 kg with the help of hook and rope stretched between two poles. This method of picking up messages and dispatches was the standard required at the time when it is no longer commonly used radio sets, an additional condition stipulated that the wingspan of a heavy metal bomber does not exceed 100 feet (30,48 m). This essential condition was limiting and in the specifications of the B.12/36, which was required in the new four-engine bomber, at 100 feet it was possible to open the gate of field hangars, but it was necessary to hangárovat all-metal aircraft? Other requirements were given a time when they were specifications drawn up, the United Kingdom at that time resigned from the principles adopted by the geneva disarmament conference, which limited the carrying capacity of the bomber to a maximum of 2 725 kg. Germany at that time has already started arming and places increasingly higher requirements on the mutual ratio of forces. The ministry of aviation in may 1936 is still required maximum load of bombs on the border of those 2 725 kg, but already the dimensions of the aircraft, the desired engine performance and the takeoff weight suggest that this, so far, the limiting parameter, it will be possible to slightly increase. At the end of 1936 the increase actually occurred, and newly it was requested that the bomber carried a bomb load of 8 000 lb (3 630 kg) or two osmnáctipalcová (457 mm) air torpedoes, bombs should be able to throw in a raid with a descent at an angle of 30° and a strike placed increased requirements on the strength of the structure. With the maximum suicide cargo had to fly at a distance of 2,000 miles, with half the load the required distance of 3 000 miles. The requirement on the maximum bomb load was modified and shortened range, it was requested that the aircraft took up twelve tisícilibrových pum. Overburdening the aircraft should be made easier to take off using the katapultovaného take-off and landing should be reduced by delaying the lan. The aircraft was taking off on using the cart on the rails, the Ministry of aviation wanted in this way to solve the insufficient number of airfields with a sufficiently long paved runway. This catapult was installed only on the air base Harwell and in the RAE at the airport in Farnborough. The new bomber had to be capable of operations day and night, at the same time, it was requested that this aircraft was capable of operating flights in different climatic conditions, this meant e.g. the possibility of installation of dust filters on the intake of the engines or the installation of chillers, capable of ensuring the cooling of the engine in the tropics. Six members of the crew should be protected by a pair or trio of gun turrets, each of these towers should carry a machine-gun twin or čtyřče, machine guns should caliber 0.303 in (7.7 mm). The specifications further required relatively high maximum speed, it should reach a value of 275 mph (445 km/h). The propulsion units have also been given, the ministry has selected several promising, but still developing the engines, which was the expected performance of the 2 000 hp (1 491 kW) for each. The designers could choose between dvouhvězdicovým osmnáctiválcem Bristol Centaurus, čtyřiadvacetiválcovým engine Rolls-Royce Vulture with the cylinders arranged in the shape of the letter X, or the next čtyřiadvacetiválcem Napier Sabre, he had the cylinders arranged in the shape of the letter H.
Designed propulsion unit, while promising high performance, but at the same time were at the very beginning of its development. The ministry of aviation was recommended to the bombers by the Vulture.
These specifications have responded these companies: And. In. Roe & Co. Ltd. (Avro), Boulton Paul Aircraft Ltd., Bristol Aeroplane Co. Ltd., Fairey Aviation Co. Ltd., Handley Page Ltd., Short & Harland Ltd. and weapons arsenal Vickers Armstrongs Limited with his later zrealizovaným project Warwick. The department evaluated the submitted projects and to the construction of prototypes called the company And. In. Roe & Co. Ltd, which has proposed its project Avro 679, built a prototype and subsequently a further 200 serial Manchesters.
The other oslovenou company was fa Handley Page Ltd., whose chief designer George R. Volker started with your team from the beginning of the year 1937 to work on the project two-engined aeroplane factory labeled HP.56. It was a středoplošník, where I always took the thick profile of the wing. The project had to meet all entering the ministry, but already in April 1937, at a time when it was the firm transmitted to the order for the construction of two prototypes, were ministerial requirements reduced and remained in the performance requirements and the requirements of limiting a wingspan of 100 ft and on the use of the preferred engines of the Vulture. Volkerův the team soon began to learn about the problems of the engines, the Vulture, and so the ministry offered to the prototypes installs more promising-looking engines of the Napier Sabre, or much more reliable engines of the brand Bristol Hercules, however, the ministry took on the Vulturech. In July, the news about the Vulturech trickle down to the Ministry of aviation and it has issued a series of recommendations ohledě engines, have been proposed: two Herculesy, four Pegasusy or Taurusy, even such "gems" as Napier Dagger, therefore, the engines, that later completely buried bomber HP.52 Hereford. Fell even the idea for the installation of four old engines Kestrel. Until finally, 3. September 1937 changed the ministry of his original order, and George R. Volker can your project adapted to the form čtyřmotorového bomber powered engines the Rolls-Royce Merlin X. These engines have already been effectively overloaded two-speed supercharger, but even could not have their quality to demonstrate to the fullest, in the Uk was not yet a gasoline with an octane rating of 100 and 87 octane fuel didn't allow to increase the boost pressure of the compressor. The project was converted to HP.57. Commission of the Ministry of aviation, after seeing a wooden mock-ups, already at the end of 1937 the modified project is approved and before long issued an instruction to build two prototypes.

Prototypes of the HP.57


With the construction of the prototypes was begun in march 1938, the first prototype (Sn. L7244) was assembled in the workshops at the airport in Bicesteru, here also, 25. October 1939 the first flight, behind the wheel sat a S/L J. L. B. H. Cordes. The first prototype still did not carry any armament, engines geared up trojlisté propeller type de Havilland constant-speed, take-off weight is close to the border 22 200 kg. The second prototype flew on 17. August 1940, bore already the front and rear gun turret, and its four Merlinů spin the propeller Rotol, the later became the standard. Both aircraft were extensively tested at the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEA) at the base in the Boscombe Down. After finishing a fairly successful tests were both prototypes used in the training of future crews Halifaxů.

Mass production


Serial production was continuously prepared, and this preparation started already at the time of the commencement of the construction of the prototype. We must remember that Halifax was a large and complex aircraft and its designer championed a very interesting mode of production, which took over from american shipyards. The desired shapes were on the sheets transmitted by the photographic way as to achieve high accuracy and thanks to that it was possible to stagger production of parts and subsequent assembly into the assemblies among a large number of subcontractors, final assembly of bombers then proceeded with the final producers, these assembly lines were in the parent factory in Radlettu and Preston with the company English Electric Co. (here, the previously produced bombers Hampden). Later in the final assembly engage a factory Rootes Securities Ltd. in Liverpool and Fairey Aviation Co. Ltd. in Stockport. These manufacturers were referred to as the Halifax Group. In the production of larger units participated in the group of smaller producers under the designation London Aircraft Production Group and a large number of subcontractors, there were more than 600. Such a modular system of production was considerably demanding on logistics, but on the other hand, was almost indestructible such as enemy bombardment. Halifax itself was compiled from a total of 24 major assemblies. Thanks to the timely and thorough preparation of production dropped the first serial of the Halifax assembly line in Radlettu already 11. October, 1940! (I will remind, that the second prototype flew on 17. August 1940).

HP.57 Halifax B Mk.I Series 1
In this embodiment it was made and delivered 50 aircraft, their takeoff weight was 24 950 kg, kidnapped 3 630 kg bombs caliber 227 and 907 kg, in the wings between the inner engines and the fuselage were on each side three auxiliary bomb bay for pětisetlibrové bombs (227 kg). The aircraft was carrying two turret – front type of the Boulton Paul Type C manned a pair of machine guns, Browning Mk.II and the rear turret Boulton Paul Type E was fitted with four of these guns. The main undercarriage wheels were covered by doors, retraction respectively extending ostruhového wheel was not reliable, therefore, there were relatively frequent damage to the rear of the fuselage.

HP.57 Halifax B Mk.Even Series 2
This variant was made in the amount of 25 aircraft, increased bomb load of up to weight 5 900 kg and also increased take-off weight up to the value of 60,000 pounds (27 220 kg) landing weight was 50,000 pounds (23,000 kg). Has also been reinforced defensive weapons, in the side windows, further under the wing, were installed machine guns Vickers caliber 7.7 mm, on each side was one or was this machine gun doubled, the stock of ammunition for these weapons was carried by the drum containers in the number of three hundred rounds the barrel in the carrier trays, more precisely – she was usually carried by the supply 291 hub (3x 97).

HP.57 Halifax B Mk.Even Series 3
Made it a total of 9 machines, in appearance to make them stand out, modified was the fuel system, some of the smaller tanks were transferred, or mistaken for more – Halifax was prepared for a more powerful engine Rolls-Royce Merlin XX, which still burn gasoline with an octane rating of 100, but this gasoline also more consumed. Aircraft of this production run to accommodate up to 1 882 UK gallons (8 556 l) of fuel.

HP-58
Here it was only about the unrealized project of the year 1939, Halifax had to carry two cannon turret, with a cannon caliber of 20 mm, one turret should be on the back and the other under the fuselage. The firm Boulton Paul production of the towers of H-type and didn't make it and the project was canceled, there was even a study on the shank of the tower type D with a pair of půlpalcových machine guns in the tail of the aeroplane, but even this project was not implemented.


HP.59 Halifax B Mk.II Series 1
The first prototype of this version was compiled 3. July 1941, and their production was started in August 1941. This version introduced two major changes, one was the installation of powerful engines Rolls-Royce Merlin XX, she was accompanied by even installing fuel tanks with a larger volume, the standard volume of the fuel tank 7 437 l. the Second significant change was the fitting of a dorsal turret Boulton Paul Type C with two machine guns Browning Mk.II. This tower cover my fire among other both firing field between the two side posts and these machine guns were no longer from this version installed. The new version of Merlinů meant for aeroplanes Halifax a considerable performance injections, but the weight of the aircraft increased further. The main undercarriage wheels have already been covered after the retraction of the door, this makes an emergency landing on the belly, these wheels prevent greater damage to the bottom of the fuselage. The rear spur was very often fixed in the open position.

HP.59 Halifax B Mk.II Series 1 (Special)
This was a modification introduced from August 1942, which aimed to lighten the weight of the aircraft, in order to carry a larger supply of fuel. The weight has been reduced by clearing front and dorsal turret, the bow was covered with a tin spindle-shaped superstructure, which improved the aerodynamics of the fuselage. The modified aircraft vzlétaly armed only four Browningů in the rear gun turret. Used were, firstly, to the insertion actions, to supply the Polish resistance but also in other occupied countries. On the other hand, however, they were used to the night bombers over germany, to this form has been modified several dozen of the older bombers Halifax B Mk.II, ever been in this bow mounted one machine gun type Vickers To. The exhaust pipe was fitted with a not very well resolved the trap of the flames.

HP.59 Halifax B Mk.II Series 1A
The previous version of the Halifaxů was in December of 1942 replaced by the new version. Metal bow has been replaced by the more aerodynamic the transparent bow of the Perspexu. This bow was already a standard mounted machine gun Vickers K, for which was carried by the ammunition supply of 200 rounds. On the back of the fuselage appeared lower turret Boulton Paul Type a Mk.II with kulometným čtyřčetem, the aerodynamics of this tower solved a sort of collar around the tower. The designers have tried to improve the aerodynamics of engine nacelles and radiators, there should be aeroplanes Halifax substantial aerodynamic reserves. This adjustment has shown an increase in the maximum speed of 32 km/h. Later still, she was on the back of the hull mounted turret Boulton Paul And Mk.VIII, taken from fighter Defiantů, this tower was even lower, and it wasn't to be on the hull to mount the collar. Another visible change introduced versions of the HP.61, were the vertical tail surfaces with a greater surface area, these tail surfaces were from the spring of 1943 retroactively fitted to this device version. The installation of new SOP to improve the directional stability of the aeroplane, the aircraft had problems with instability e.g. in nestejnoměrném performance engines. A few dozen aircraft to get any engines RR Merlin XXII with a slightly higher performance. The utility value increased the modified bomb bay, into which it was already possible to hang up a mountain lion weighing 8 000 pounds (3 629 kg), called "Super-Cookies". This puma has been marked as HC (High Capacity), its the explosive charge was approximately 70% of the total weight of the cougar, this was a mountain lion jerky with a thin shell, used was to the generalised destruction of the urban fabric. The efficiency and accuracy of night bombing has increased considerably the installation of the radar H2S, whose presence gives us the hump for pumovnicí. Radar H2S was installed only a certain number of aircraft Halifax B Mk.II from the end of 1942, it was first used during a raid on the Hamburg during the last a January night in 1943. Aircraft that were not carrying this radar detector (and the most), carried under the fuselage small guttate range Preston Green with machine gun Browning the caliber of 12.7 mm. To several tens of bomber Halifaxů "deuces" and "fives" has been installed warning radar Monica, who guarded the area behind the tail of the aeroplane.

HP.59 Halifax B Mk.II Series 2
These were only made aircraft with Merlin engines XXII, engine nacelles, including chillers were taken completely from the Avro Lancaster, you have been following the aerodynamic page more elaborate and more perfect than Halifaxů. The prototype of this version (Sn. HR756) were equipped with čtyřlistými propellers. This version is in production didn't get, was the preferred option version of the HP.61 Hallifax B Mk.III.

HP.59 Halifax And Mk.II
It was a modification of the original bomber machines for airborne operations (Airborne) in the enemy's rear, some aircraft carried a reduced armament, but to continue according to the needs of the zúčastňovaly bombing events. From bomber Halifaxů is different to a circular hole in the floor, which were dropped paratroopers, or shazován material designated national resistance in the occupied countries.

HP.59 Halifax GR Mk.II Series 1
A few dozen aircraft, was by Cunliffe-Owen Aircraft Ltd. in Eastleightu adapted for service at the Coastal Command, after the adjustment carried these aircraft anti-ship radar ASV Mk.3, this radar was located under the plastic cover of the radar H2S. The bomb bay was installed three fuel tanks each with a volume of 230 UK gallons (1 046 l), this will considerably increase the radius of action of these machines, the standard anti-submarine mission lasted thirteen hours, during the test years was a flight endurance of up to eighteen hours. Most of the aircraft was carried in the bow machine gun Browning 12.7 mm caliber.

HP.59 Halifax GR Mk.II Series 1A
This release represented the final form of the aircraft for remote sensing, in glazed bow was no longer by default installed půlpalcový machine gun on the back was a turret Boulton Paul Type a And under the fuselage was the case for several aircraft installed hemispherical range with půlpalcovým machine gun, the vast majority of survey Halifaxů, however, carried under the fuselage flat a remotely controlled gun turret Fraser Nash FN-64 with a pair of these active machine guns, very often, these were machine guns used to bombard immersed In-bootů or enemy surface ships. Additional tanks were installed by default and in pumovnicích were carried depth charges. One aircraft (Sn. JD212) was experimentally armed with eight unguided rockets caliber 5 inch (127 mm), the launch rails were mounted on both sides of the bow.

HP.59 Halifax MET Mk.II
Several "middle, right" Halifaxů served in units that perform the tasks of the meteorological survey, some of the sources we label HP.59 Halifax MET Mk.II, but according to other sources it is not entirely certain whether such a version was actually produced, maybe it was the adjustment made directly in units, and the designation was unofficial. With this designation later we still Halifaxů Mk.III and the Mk.VI.
The total was made 1 937 Halifaxů Mk.II different variants and different design.

HP.60
This was marked by a project of a bomber airplane, which was to be powered by engines Rolls-Royce Griffon, the project was created on the basis of the directives of the Ministry of aviation B.1/39.

HP.60A
It was a prototype bomber, the Halifax, which was powered by a high-rise engines Rolls-Royce Merlin 65 performance 1 705 hp (1 271 kW). Built these high-rise engines for fighter Spitfires and Mosquito was made in motorářské the Rolls-Royce factory, the maximum speed after the assembly has increased to 324 mph (521 km/h) at a height of 19 200 ft (5 852 m).

HP.61 Halifax B Mk.III
The company Handley Page meet the prime requirement and the Halifax Mk.II Sn. R9534 installed dvojhvězdicové air-cooled čtrnáctiválce Bristol Hercules, these engines geared up to the propeller of the de Havilland Hydromatic. The new machine was designated as HP.61 and first flew on 12. October 1942. The prototype carried a dorsal turret Boulton Paul Type C, in the course of the tests was the dorsal turret replaced with a turret Boulton Paul Type a Mk.VIII, the match gun turret fighter Defiantů, engines, Hercules Mk.VI had the same fairing with night fighter Beaufightery, from them were taken also proven shock absorbers of the flames. In June 1943 were on this prototype mounted a SOP of a rectangular shape, that were later retroactively fitted to already built aircraft Halifax Mk.II and Mk.In. Equally important modification passed through the bomb bay doors, this adjustment has allowed the closure and even when hanging heavy bombs "Super-Cookie", older version Halifaxů flying in this case with the half-open door of the bomb bay. The first mass-produced "troika" (Sn. HX226) took off in August 1943 from Radlettu, early into production engage "threes" engage all the factories, machines, the first production runs still have the original wing, not long after the start of production was fitted new wing with the wingspan increased to 31 750 mm. This new wing is distinguished by the rounded ends of the wings. Together with the introduction of the engines of the Hercules, it was necessary to increase the capacity of the fuel tanks, the Halifax B MK.III standard took 8 210 liters, maximum fuel supply was in use all the auxiliary tanks to 13 of 438 litres. The aircraft was also equipped with a device for the emergency discharge of fuel for the flight, it was composed of three tubes under the trailing edge of each half of the wing. The martial value of this version has increased also thanks to the almost standard installation of radars H2S and in addition, the performance of this radar has increased considerably the transition to a wavelength of 3 cm. Also in this bomber version of the help area for the bomber guarding warning radar Monica, whose presence tells a small dipole aerial under the rear gun turret. Unfortunately for the British, the Germans managed to capture this radar, quickly recognized his purpose and their answer was the German passive receiver of the FuG 227 Flensburg, which from the spring of 1944 abetted by German night fighters on the broadcast of this radar equipment. The british their radars Monica stopped using it since the second half of 1944, when they 13. July managed to get one undamaged night fighter type of Junkers Ju 88 G-1 from 7. Staffel/ NJG 2, that mistakenly landed at a british airport and was carrying homing devices FuG 227. Another improvement introduced in this version – the reliable control of the retraction ostruhového wheels. Trojkové Halifaxy were besides the bomber version of the very often converted into the form of a Halifax And Mk.III which meant that it served to drop paratroopers and to tow up to seven cargo gliders Airspeed Horsa or dragged one greater glider General Aircraft Hamilcar. More "trojkovou" version was Halifax C Mk.III, he served in Transport Command as a transport aircraft. A total of was built 2 132 aircraft version of the Halifax Mk.III.

HP.63 Halifax B. Mk.In
Version Of The Mk.In the match version of the Mk.II, the only difference was the chassis from a british firm Dowty, the "twos" were equipped with the chassis of the French company Messier and hydraulics of the chassis operated common problems and wasn't enough of it. The company Dowty in April 1941, modified the aircraft Halifax B Mk.II (Sn L2950). Both hydraulic systems were incompatible, fa Messier used in their systems vegetable castor oil, it match the material used on the gasket and hose - rubber, firm Dowty used in their hydraulic systems, oil mineral, which rubber connections and hoses undermined. Chassis company Dowty is fully proven on airplanes Avro Manchester and later the Avro Lancaster. Unfortunately, the machines Halifax were given the place of forgings for the main chassis castings, but not of sufficient strength, the chassis design is would and crackled. The landing mass of the Halifaxů "fives" had to be reciprocally fundamentally limited to 40 000 pounds (18 160 kg). Production of this version was discontinued in December 1943, when the RAF took over the last of 904 aircraft of this version. The "fives" were delivered in a similar design as the "twos", we find these subversion:
HP.63 Halifax B. Mk.In Series 1
HP.63 Halifax B. Mk.In Series 1 (Special)
HP.63 Halifax B. Mk.In the Series 1A
HP.63 Halifax And Mk.In
HP.63 Halifax GR Mk.In

Halifax B Mk.VI
The first Halifax with this designation took off 10. October 1944, marked the final and most powerful version of the bomber Halifaxů, the main difference compared to the previous version was the installation of more powerful engines, the Bristol Hercules 100, the performance of these engines it was possible to increase thanks to the better fuel with an octane rating of 100, the higher the octane number allowed motorářům increase the boost pressure of the compressor and the increased performance, the engine was also slightly more economical than the older version, one the lack of you just had – wasn't there a sufficient number, and their supplies had not been smooth. This version should thanks to the powerful engines, higher take-off weight of 68 000 lb (30 844 kg) and carried a higher supply of fuel. In the factories of Handley Page and the English Electric has completed a total of 457 Halifaxů Mk.VI, but in both factories were also dragons without engines, into these dragons were then installed an older version of the engines of the Hercules and the version of VI or XVI, this development arises following version Halifaxů.

Halifax C Mk.VI
It was about the redevelopment of the bombing of the "sixes" into the freight form.

Halifax GR Mk.VI
A few tens of bomber aircraft was by Cunliffe-Owen in Eastleightu rebuilt for service with Coastal Command. The adjustment is again touched installation of additional fuel tanks to the design team pumovnic, protilodního radar equipment, and a different barrel kit.

Halifax B Mk.VII
By combining the excess of the dragons Halifaxů B Mk.VI and engines Bristol Hercules VI or XVI created 117 bomber Halifaxů Mk.VII. Match so the most Halifaxům B Mk.III, only a fuel system to match the "sixes", i.e. a certain group of fuel tanks was designed for a specific engine.

Halifax And Mk.VII
273 transport aircraft were created by modifying the previous bomber version, used were u the Transport Command.

HP.65 Super Halifax
It was only on the bomber project 1943, which was to be equipped with a completely new wing, whose profile allowing laminar flow. In the hull should be a large bomb bay and engines had to be solved turbocompressors turbocharged engines Hercules 38. These engines, however, did not exceed its test stage of development and so the project was Super Halifax terminated.

HP.70 Halifax C Mk.VIII
This version was developed on order of the Ministry of aviation by Boulton Paul, the prototype (Sn. PP225) flew in June 1945. The crew of the cargo aircraft was a five-piece, the aircraft was completely without armament, under the fuselage was the case for the cargo, which pick up on the space in the bomb bay. The use of this capsule was successfully tested earlier versions of the Halifax C Mk.III. The hull was equipped with a fixed aerodynamic transitions, which allowed for better airflow around the cargo capsule. In the trunk was the place e.g. for ten stretchers with the wounded soldiers. Drive this airplane did all the four engines of the Hercules 100, the takeoff weight was 30 820 kg. In Transport Command flew with five squadrons until the summer of 1948. Then there were some aircraft after the adjustment forwarded to the airlines as a cargo aircraft, part of the Halifaxů C Mk.VIII RAF imposed. Civil Halifaxy were deployed from August 1948 to August 1949, to the air supply the western sectors of the Berlin, because the land supply was not possible due to the soviet blockade. Cargo aircraft Halifax carried out during this event, more than 8 000 flights and transported to Berlin 54 000 tons of cargo. The RAF released from its stocks, 33 stored the machines, which were dismantled for spare parts, also due to the fact managed to keep the airlift going. Freight Halifaxy that the RAF subsequently released, were flying except for the british carriers also in foreign services (Pakistan and Egypt) in 1951 but were excluded from civil service. The total was made 100 "eights", but their standard was fixed a few tens Mk.VII and Mk.IX.

HP.71 Halifax And Mk.IX
It was a modified "six" with the engines of the Hercules XVI, inside the trunk was a cabin for a dozen marines who aircraft left the door on the side of the airplane. Take-off weight of this version amounted to 29 450 kg. Rear of turret type of the Boulton Paul D was fitted with a pair of půlpalcových machine guns. Production of this version was discontinued in November 1946. A total of were built 145 Halifaxů this version.

In total, there were built two prototypes and 6 177 production aircraft, one aircraft was not taken, because it crashed during the transfer. It was a Halifax B Mk.II, which was made by Rootes Securities.

What was the bomber Halifax


The first unit, which was the bombers, the Halifax armed, was in November 1940 35. squadron 4. bomber group at the base Linton-on-Ouse in the northeast of England, this unit of its aircraft (air raid carried out six aircraft) for the first time put on during a raid on the Le Havre in the night from 10. 11. march 1941. So began a series of raids, during which Halifaxy implement 82 773 combat years ago, toppled 224 210 tons of bombs, their losses amounted to 1 833 aircraft. the Commander of Bomber Command Air Chief Marschal Sir Arthur Harris reviewed by bomber Halifax higher than the Short Stirling, but criticised its design, if it is compared with another čtyřmotorovým bomber, the Avro Lancaster. For the commander of Bomber Command was the Lancaster better in more respects, it could carry bombs of larger caliber than 8 000 pound "Super-Cookie" what took Halifax. Another measure of statistics, the largest losses in proportion to the weight of the dropped bombs had Stirling, the better it was Halifax and the smallest loss was Lancaster. After the introduction of versions with engines of Hercules to improve the performances and reduce also loss Halifaxů, but the commander of the bomber air force opinion has not changed and promoted as the standard bomber of the RAF Lancaster. Halifaxy were due to radar H2S often deployed to a group of značkařů (Pathfinder Force), these aircraft marked the target for them arriving bombing associations, and despite the consistent darkening of German cities. A lot of the work they have done Halifaxy in the context of electronic warfare, collection of meteorological information and also when zaminovávání German waters.

Halifax as airborne transport and transport aircraft
Aircraft Halifax gradually increasingly filled the next bombing tasks and tasks in which supplied the domestic resistance in the occupied countries, has been planted a subversive group according to the needs of the SOE (Special Operations Executive), they were first for these tasks adjusted bombers and later for the needs of the SOE produced a specialized version marked with the letter A (Airborne). I will remind a known event, that SOE 29. December 1941 sent over the Protektorat Böhmen und Moravia Halifax Mk.II Srs 1 (Sn. L9613), which were planted the group Anthropoid, Silber And Silber B. The latest version of Halifax were manufactured as unarmed transport version for the Transport of Command. These versions lasted in service the longest.

Halifax as a reconnaissance aircraft
Coastal Command was satisfied with the reconnaissance versions of the Halifaxů designated by the letters GR (General Reconnaissance). These machines actively engage in anti-submarine war and, thanks to their long range they can patrol even over the distant shipping routes, to carry out this task helped them ship-to-ship radar ASV.

Used springs:
Victor F. Bingham, Halifax, Second to None The Handley Page Halifax, Shrewsbury, UK, Airlife Publishing Ltd., 1986. ISBN: 0-90639-366-3
Philip J. R. Moyes, Profile Publications, The Handley Page Halifax B.III, VI, VII., Number 11, Profile Publications Ltd., Leathehead, Surrey, England, 1965.
Richard N. Roberts, The Halifax File, Tonbridge, UK, Air Britain Historians Ltd., Jun 1982. ISBN 0-85130-098-7.
Bruce Robertson, Halifax Special, Shepperton, Surrey, UK Ian Allan Ltd., 1990. ISBN 0-17101-920-7.
Jerry Scutts, Halifax in Action, Aircraft in Action series, No. 66. Carrollton, TX, Squadron/Signal Publications, Inc., 1984. ISBN 0-89747-158-X.
Jaroslav Schmid, Aircraft 1939-45 Fighter and bomber aircraft of Great Britain 2. part 1. the release of Pilsen, the Publishing house Fraus, 1994. ISBN 80-85784-38-6
Wiesław Baczkowski, Samolot bombowy HALIFAX, Types Broni i Uzbrojenia 104, Wydawnicstwo Ministerstwa Obrony Narodowey, ISBN: 83-11-07172-1
Václav Němeček, Monograph: the Handley Page Halifax, Aviation and astronautics, no. 12, 13, 14 and 15/ 1992, volume LXVIII, Publishing Magnet-Press, a. s. p., ISSN 0024-1156
http://www.airpages.ru/eng/uk/halifax.shtml
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handley_Page_Halifax
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/hphalifax/main.htm
http://www.airwar.ru/enc/bww2/galif.html
http://www.airwar.ru/enc/sww2/halifaxgr.html
www.raf.mod.uk
www.militaryfactory.com
www.flightglobal.com
author archive
.
URL : https://www.valka.cz/Handley-Page-Halifax-t41998#549711 Version : 0
Discussion post Fact post
Attachments


Join us

We believe that there are people with different interests and experiences who could contribute their knowledge and ideas. If you love military history and have experience in historical research, writing articles, editing text, moderating, creating images, graphics or videos, or simply have a desire to contribute to our unique system, you can join us and help us create content that will be interesting and beneficial to other readers.

Find out more