Avro 694 Lincoln

The Avro Lincoln was a development of the iconic Avro Lancaster, indeed the aircraft was originally called the Lancaster Mark 4 and 5. Compared to the Lancaster, the Lincoln had higher aspect ratio wings, more powerful engines and increased fuel and bomb load. The Lincoln first flew in 1944 and entered RAF service in the final weeks of the Second World War though did not see service. It replaced the Lancaster in RAF service after the war and was the RAF's last piston-engined bomber.

Lincoln II at RAF Cosford

Information
Manufacturer:	Avro
First flight:	1944
Propulsion:	Rolls-Royce Merlin 85 or Packard-Merlin 68 (4)
Withdrawn:	1967
Number built:	604

Although it was too late for the Second World War, the Lincoln saw action in the 1950s in various end of the empire operations including the Malaya Emergency. The Lincoln remained in RAF service until 1963, its last operator the Argentinian Air Force kept it in service until 1967. 

As well as military service the Lincoln was used as an engine test bed for the early turbojets and turboprops developed after the war including the Rolls-Royce Tyne and Derwent. Some were also used as freighters (Avro 695 Lincolnian). The Lincoln was developed into the Avro 696 Shackleton maritime patrol aircraft which remained in service until 1991! Four Lincolns have been preserved plus the nose section of a fifth.

Another view of the Cosford Lincoln, RF398

Bristol 177 Sycamore

The Bristol Type 177 Sycamore was one of the first British built helicopters and the first to gain an air worthiness certificate in 1949. It was also the first British designed helicopter to be operated by the Royal Air Force.

Sycamore at RAF Museum, London

Information
Manufacturer:	Bristol Aeroplane Company
First flight:	1947
Propulsion:	Alvis Leonidas piston engine
Withdrawn:	1972 (RAF)
Number built:	180

The Sycamore was used as a cargo/passenger transport (it could carry up to three passengers) and for air/sea rescue. As well as being used by the British and other militaries it also had success selling to civilian operators including British European Airways.

The Sycamore saw action in the Malaya Emergency with the RAF proving the worth of rotorcraft in being able to deploy soldiers directly to a position in the jungle. It also saw action in Cyrus, Aden and in the Congo (operated by the Belgian government). The Sycamores reached the end of their fatigue life and were withdrawn by the RAF in early 1970s.

Preserved Sycamore at RAF Cosford Museum

Martinsyde Buzzard

The Martinsyde Buzzard was one of the fastest aircraft developed during World War 1, being able to reach 146 mp/h / 235 kp/h.

Information
Manufacturer:	Martinsyde
First flight:	1918
Propulsion:	Hispano-Suiza 8Fb piston engine
Withdrawn:	1938
Number built:	370

The F.4 Buzzard was based on the earlier F.3 which had a superb performance but the Rolls Royce Falcon engines it needed were all earmarked for the Bristol F.2. The F.4 was instead powered by a Hispano-Suiza engine but again was fast and manoeuvrable.

Large numbers were ordered for the Royal Air Force and also for export to the French and United States. Unfortunately for Martinsyde the end of the war meant most of these orders were cancelled. Instead of the thousands expected only around 370 were built instead. No fighters entered RAF service, who instead opted for the Sopwith Snipe as their postwar fighter though some were sold to other airforces including Ireland and Spain [2]. Two were used by the RAF for carrying despatches between London and Paris in 1919 during the peace conference.

Martinsyde bought back many aircraft for resale. Two seater (the F.6 which also had revised wings and different engines) and floatplane versions were built but it wasn't enough to prevent Martinsyde going bankrupt in 1922. Some continued to be used for many years, both in overseas air forces and for civil owners often as racing aircraft. The last Buzzards to be used are thought to have been a small number in Latvia in 1938.

Martinsyde F.6 [1]

[1] "The King's Cup Race", Flight Magazine, September 7 1922 p. 514
[2] Martin J.H. Taylor, Warplanes of the world 1918-1939 (Ian Allan, 1981) p. 178

Handley Page HP52 Hampden

The Handley Page Hampden was one of the medium bombers with which the Royal Air Force entered the Second World War. The Hampden was designed in response to an Air Ministry specification for a twin bomber which was faster than earlier bombers. The Hampden had a narrow fuselage which gained it the name the "Flying Suitcase"! The Hampden first flew in 1936 and entered service with the RAF in 1938.

SDASM Archive image [2]

Information
Manufacturer:	Handley Page
First flight:	1936
Propulsion:	Bristol Pegasus XVIII radial engine (2)
Withdrawn:	1943
Number built:	1,430

By the start of the war the Hampden equipped ten squadrons. Unfortunately the Hampden did not fare well in the daylight bombing role though was used in the earliest raids against the German mainland. The Hamnpden easy meat for the Luftwaffe despite it's still good performance. The Hampden was switched quickly to nighttime operations and proved useful in bombing, propaganda leaflet dropping and mine laying. Hampdens were later used for torpedo bombing to protect Arctic convoys. It remained in this role until being withdrawn by the RAF in 1943. A version of the Hampden with in-line engines was also produced called the Handley Page Hereford.

The Hampden also served in notable numbers with the Australian, Canadian and Soviet air forces. Two Hampdens survive though neither in a flyable condition.

SDASM Archive image [2]

[1] Handley Page Hampden https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/15650368358

[2] Handley Page Hampden https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/15650369808

Vickers Vanguard

The Vickers Viscount had been a great success in the early 1950s. Vickers developed the Vanguard as a larger follow-up, it was designed to match a specification issued by BEA for a hundred seat airliner. With more powerful turboprops, the Vanguard was not only larger than the Viscount but faster and could fly higher too. So, it was destined to be a sure fire success surely?

G-APEP. the last in service, now preserved at Brooklands

Information
Manufacturer:	Vickers-Armstrongs
First flight:	1959
Propulsion:	Rolls Royce Tyne Mk 512 turboprops (4)
Withdrawn:	1996
Number built:	44

Unfortunately it was not, only 44 were built mainly for BEA and Trans-Canada Airlines. The Vanguard's problem was timing. By the time it entered production in the early 1960s it was up against the first generation of jet airliners. 

However, the Vanguard ended up having a long service life. Conversions to a freighter known as the Merchantman began in the 1970s and in this configuation the aircraft remained in service until 1996. 

Another view of G-APEP