By the mid-1930s the RAF's frontline bomber squadrons were still equipped with outdated types. Eight squadrons had the H.P. Heyford, three still had the Vickers Virginia and only one (No. 38 Sqn) had a'modern' type in the form of the Fairey Hendon. Even this machine, although at least a monoplane, was still of metal and fabric construction. In America the USAAC test flew the Boeing 299 (later XB-I7) in July 1935, and in Germany the newly acknowledged Luftwaffe was flying types as 'airliners' that would soon prove themselves as bombers in WWII (Heinkel He 111, Dornier Do 17 and Junkers Ju 88). The first truly modern monocoque construction bomber, the A.W.Whitley, flew on the 17th March 1936 and the Wellington (which although of alloy geodetic construction, still had fabric covering) followed later in the year.
No comments:
Post a Comment