This is an accepted version of this page The Vickers Warwick was a British twin-engined bomber aircraft developed and operated during the Second World War that was primarily used in other roles.

The two aircraft share similar construction and design principles but development of the Warwick was delayed by a lack of suitable engines.

In October 1932, the British industrial conglomerate Vickers-Armstrongs tendered for the Air Ministry Specification B.9/32, which called for the development of a twin-engined medium bomber.

[2] During late 1934, when the company was already developing their Type 271 to meet Specification B.9/32, Vickers received a draft requirement for a larger bomber.

[2] It was intended to make use of more powerful engines, of 1,000 hp (750 kW), that were being developed, to enable the bomber to be faster and carry a heavier bomb load than the earlier B.3/34.

Among the requirements of Specification B.1/35 was a speed of no less than 195 mph (314 km/h) while flying at 15,000 ft (4,600 m), a range of 1,500 mi (2,400 km) while carrying 2,000 lb (910 kg) of bombs, and the engines were to be furnished with variable-pitch propellers.

[6] These alternative designs were cancelled before being built, as Handley Page and Armstrong Whitworth switched to work on newer specifications released for medium (P.13/36) and heavy (B.12/36) bombers.

[8] The second prototype (L9704) was designed for the Napier Sabre engine but development was slow, and production capacity was urgently required for the Hawker Typhoon fighter.

[12][18] In October 1939, it was proposed that it be redesigned as a four-engined aircraft, with either Rolls-Royce Merlin XX or Bristol Hercules HE7SM engines but after some study, the idea was discarded as it reduced range and payload.

[19][21] On 3 January 1941, an initial production order was placed for 250 Warwicks, consisting of 150 Double Wasp-powered Mk.I aircraft and 100 Centaurus-powered Mk.IIs, with deliveries to commence in November that year.

Due to the time it took for the Double Wasps to reach Vickers in Britain from Pratt & Whitney in the U.S., delays were unavoidable.

The Warwick was subject to considerable study to keep it relevant to the rapidly changing circumstances of the conflict, and it was out of this process that a work towards standardised production was made.

The order was met by converting existing B.Mk.Is, by removing military equipment, fairing over gun turret openings, adding cabin windows, a freight floor, long-range fuel tanks and exhaust stack flame dampers for night flights.

In January 1943, the Air Staff decided that the Warwick would serve as the predominant aircraft for transport and air-sea rescue.

Stability and control trials commenced with the third production Warwick, which yielded acceptable handling during single engine operations when fitted with a triangular extension ahead of the fin.

They were mainly used in the Mediterranean theatre, as the vulnerability of the fabric skinning to high temperature and humidity stopped plans to operate the Warwick in the Far East, and remained in use until retired in 1946.

The lifeboat, designed by yachtsman Uffa Fox, laden with supplies and powered by two 4 hp (3.0 kW) motors, was aimed with a bomb-sight to be dropped under parachute near ditched air crew from an altitude of about 700 ft (210 m).

[36] Warwicks were credited with rescuing crews from a wide variety of contemporary aircraft both in the English Channel and the North Sea.

The first of these was PN773 which suffered an engine failure on take-off on 2 January and was skilfully force-landed close to St Mary's Church in Byfleet and was later repaired and flown again.