Warbird Information Exchange

Photos from the wonderful archives of the (RNZAF) Air Force Museum Photo Archives.
Many thanks to WIX member ErrolC for bringing the archives to our attention. I'll enjoy bring more attention to the collection here on WIX for those interested.

The Vickers Vildebeest and the similar Vickers Vincent were two very large two- to three-seat single-engined British biplanes designed and built by Vickers and used as light bombers, torpedo bombers and in army cooperation roles. First flown in 1928, it remained in service at the start of the Second World War, with the last Vildebeests flying against Japanese forces over Singapore and Java in 1942.

In 1931, Vickers designed as a private venture a General Purpose version of the Vildebeest to replace the RAF's Westland Wapitis and Fairey IIIFs, supporting the Army in the Middle East. Successful trials were conducted in the Middle East, Sudan and East Africa with a converted Vildebeest I in the General Purpose role during 1932–1933, and Specification 16/34 was drawn up around the three man Vildebeest, which was named the Vickers Vincent: differences from the Vildebeest were minimal (the first production Vincent was, converted from a Vildebeest MkII), principally removal of torpedo equipment, provision for an auxiliary fuel tank, message-pick-up and pyrotechnic signalling gear.

Powered by a 660 hp (490 kW) Bristol Pegasus IIM3 the Vincent was unveiled to the general public for the first time at the 1935 RAF flying display at Hendon, but deliveries had already been made to No. 8 Squadron at Aden in late 1934.

Between 1934 and 1936, 197 Vincents were built for or converted from Vildebeests for the RAF.

12 Vildebeests were purchased by the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1935 for coastal defense, with a further 27 acquired from RAF stocks in 1940–41. In addition, 60 or 62 of these machines, (depending on source), were passed on to the RNZAF.

New Zealand Vildebeests were also used for photo mapping. A few were used for maritime patrols against German surface raiders, and Japanese submarines, (a handful were based in Fiji in December 1941), but the main wartime role of the New Zealand aircraft was as particularly unwieldy pilot trainers, until replaced by North American Harvards in 1942.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vickers_Vildebeest


Air to air view of No. 8 Squadron Vincent NZ328, PA-M, over the Gisborne break-water.
http://www.adf-serials.com.au/nz-serials/nzvincent.htm


Hudson ZX-X from No. 1 Operational Training Unit and No. 8 Squadron Vincent NZ344 PA-H at RNZAF Station Gisborne. Vincent's in background.


Image from the GH Berry personal album collection.
"Six point landing."
Wreckage of No. 8 Squadron Vincent PA-H. RNZAF Station Gisborne.

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Zero Surprise!!...

Seems a 'Vincent' is/was/may be being restored.
https://www.key.aero/forum/historic-avi ... ent?page=0

A bit more in depth below:

Vickers Vincent Mk I

History:

The Vickers Vincent replaced the Westland Wapitis and Fairey IIIF in the General Purpose (GP) role; a role that was very involved with policing the British Empire. Vickers developed the Vincent from their Vildebeest torpedo-bomber; a design which first flew in April 1928 and entered RAF service in 1932. The main changes to the Vildebeest were simple: the torpedo gear was removed, a long-range fuel tank slung in its place, and a message hook added. Vincents also had to carry a variety of other gear to perform their GP role and Army cooperation duties. Items like pyrotechnics, bombs, sleeping bags, ground radio and collapsible long-range aerial masts all had to be stowed away or slung under wings. A Vildebeest modified for the GP role began an overseas tour in December 1932; then a year later 51 GP Vildebeests were ordered. However, because the GP role was so different from torpedo bombing the name Vincent was used for these aircraft. In total, 196 Vincents were delivered between July 1934 and October 1936; 84 of these were still in service at the outbreak of WW2.

No 8 Sqn based in Aden was sent to British Somaliland in June 1940 after Italy declared war on Britain. Its 12 Vincents then saw some action in Eritrea. No 8 Sqn later returned to Aden, where its Vincents remained in use until April 1942. Vincents of No 244 Sqn based in Sarjah fighted against the coup by Rashid Ali in Iraq, they defended the Habbaniyah Air Base which was under siege in May 1941. Vincents were flown by No 244 Sqn until as late as November of 1942. No 47 Sqn flew Vincents until mid-1940 in the Sudan, where they fought the Italians in East Africa. It is thought that at least one captured Vincent was used by the Iraqis.

The RAF replaced 60 or so of its Vincents with more modern types in 1939. These Vincents were then shipped to the RNZAF in two batches, the first of which arrived in New Zealand in July 1939. They appear to have been delivered in the pre-war RAF scheme of overall aluminium dope with pre-war type roundels. They had also arrived with RAF serials, but by early 1940 these were replaced by RNZAF serials; NZ301 to NZ316. In mid-1941 the survivors of this first batch appear to have received the wartime disruptive camouflage scheme applied to Vildebeests and Vincents. This consisted of New Zealand’s version of Dark Earth and Dark Green upper-surfaces Duck Egg Green undersides that had a low wavy demarcation line on the fuselage. The two upper colours appear to be very close matches for their RAF equivalents, but the Duck Egg Green was quite different to Sky Type S, being a very rich and saturated colour close to FS.24260. The Type-B roundels were placed in the standard six positions initially.

The rest of the RNZAF’s Vincents arrived in November 1939. They seem to have worn a camouflage pattern of Dark Earth and Dark Green over what appears to be aluminium dope undersides, with a high demarcation line on the fuselage. They appear to have had Type-B roundels in six positions and no fin flashes. RNZAF serials of NZ317 to NZ360 replaced the RAF’s, and were painted on the rudders and fuselage sides. These aircraft were later repainted around mid-1941 in the same New Zealand colours with the lower wavy demarcation applied to the first batch. They initially kept the Type-B roundels; but later received a variation of the Types-A& C roundels on the fuselage and under-wing positions, with serials on the fuselage only, and an unequal width fin flash. Many of the Vincents received squadron codes when they were issued to the general reconnaissance squadrons. These codes were originally in Sky Type-S or a variation of this colour, and sat either side of the fuselage roundels.
http://www.frrom.com/index.php?page=fr0 ... ent-mk-i-2

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Zero Surprise!!...

... "but the main wartime role of the New Zealand aircraft was as particularly unwieldy pilot trainers, until replaced by North American Harvards in 1942."

Harvard mobile instructional unit mounted on the back of a truck. Used by the Air Training Corps at recruitment displays. RNZAF Station Rongotai.
(RNZAF) Air Force Museum Photo Archives.

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Zero Surprise!!...

Based on my Late Uncle's logbook, the RAF were still operating Vickers Vincents as late as June 1944 with Aden Comms Flight where at least 5 aircraft were utilised. His log book shows these aircraft as K4726, 4727, 4723, 4681 and 4707.

One Vincent was apparently used to fly engineers to inspect a beached German U-Boat, possibly U-852 at Ras Mabber.

The magnificent static restoration of Vincent K6357 in New Zealand by Don & Steve Subritzky in 2016.

The wings are well on their way to completion.

PeterA

A few years back, it was close to being acquired for the RAF Museum in exchange for a Spitfire project

The deal was, I understand, at the 'dotting the Is and crossing the Ts' stage when the RAF Museum's Director General was suddenly 'retired', and the incoming CEO that replaced him cancelled most of the ongoing acquisitions in favour of spending £27m on more grass, less aeroplanes and walls of hats.

I have never seen a wall of hats. Do you have a photo?