Vickers Vespa

History of Vickers Vespa

The Vickers "Vespa" double decker was in service from 1928 to 1940 and was intended for an "Army Cooperative" role. It originated in the United Kingdom, but was mainly operated by the Irish Air Force and the Bolivian Air Force (the Royal Air Force passed on this Vickers product). Several notable variants emerged, although only 15 were produced in total.

While serving in Bolivia, they fought during the "Chaco War" (1932-1935).

The Army Cooperative Aircraft is a lightweight design for light tasks such as observation, artillery targeting, and liaison. They are competent enough for their given role and suitable for short field/rough jobs.

Such aircraft are generally the promise of low cost and inherently robust in construction. The Vickers Vespa had many of these characteristics when it first flew in 1925.

Vespa evolved from Vickers Ltd. As part of the Private Enterprise programme to the 30/24 norm for the Royal Air Force (RAF). The 30/24 spec sought a two-seat, reconnaissance-focused Army co-op platform, with several other competitors involved - de Havilland arrived with their Hyena, the Short brothers advanced their Antelope (None of them were accepted). "Vespa I" (Type 113 company) was the first Vickers prototype available and had many features of the time - double-deck wing layout, open-air cockpit and fixed rear towing.

It is powered by a Bristol Jupiter IV series radial piston engine. Later the Jupiter VI Radial was installed.

First flight in September 1925, in June 1926, engine problems affected its RAF rating. After rebuilding the damaged prototype (with more modern attributes such as metal wings), the "Vespa II" (Type 119 company) was born.

Although the Vespa II was approved by the RAF authorities, the aircraft was ordered by the Bolivian government as "Vespa III" (Type 149 company). This time the product is an all-metal aircraft (including the fuselage) with a 455 hp Jupiter Vi engine installed.

Six of the Markers were ordered and used as long-range bombers and reconnaissance platforms during the Chaco Air War.

In 1929, the Irish Air Force took stock of four "Vespa IV" aircraft (the company's Model 193) equipped with 490 hp Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar VIC engines. Four more were ordered in 1930 as "Vespa V" (company model 208), they differed by a "townend" ring around the for aerodynamic measurements).

In addition to these military-oriented brands, there are "Vespa VI" (Type 210 Company) (not adopted) for display to the Chinese government and "Vespa VII" (Type 250 Company) for aerial work ( with Bristol Pegasus S series engines). The Vespa VII is a modified version of the Vespa VI demo car in China, which is itself a modified version of the first Vespa prototype.

By World War II (1939-1945), all Vespa aircraft were either out of service or available.

Specification

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Production

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Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes