Vickers Vimy

Serial Number: F8614
Period: WWI
Collection Ref: 74/A/24
Location: RAF Museum London, Grahame-White Factory

The Vickers Vimy was one of a new generation of heavy bombers which were designed to attack German strategic targets but which failed to see active service during the First World War. Unlike its contemporaries which faded away, it gained immortality by its successful post-war pioneering long-distance flights.

Designed in 1917 the Vimy did not enter full service until July 1919 when it began to re-equip units in the Middle East. During those early years the Royal Air Force used some of these aircraft to fly mail services between Cairo and Baghdad. Replacement began in late 1924 but some remained as bombers in Northern Ireland until 1929. A number of Vimys were used for flying and parachute training duties.

In May 1967 the Vintage Aircraft and Flying Association decided to build a Vimy replica to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Alcock and Brown's trans- Atlantic flight.

When told of the project Rolls-Royce began a world wide search for engines. Eventually they were successful and recovered three Eagle engines from Dutch canal barges two of which they stripped down and rebuilt; putting the first on bench test in August 1968.

The aircraft was completed on Friday 30 May 1969. The following days were filled with final inspections and checks and on Tuesday 3 June at 6.40pm the aircraft took off on its first flight.

The aircraft went through an intensive flight test programme before receiving a Special Category Certificate of Airworthiness on 5 June. The next day the aircraft crossed the Channel to appear at the Paris Air Show. On 9 June it returned to the United Kingdom and two days later, after being repainted in service markings, flew to Ringway Airport, Manchester to become the centre of an Alcock and Brown exhibition.

The exhibition lasted a month and on 14 July it was being prepared to fly to the Rolls-Royce test airfield at Hucknall when it caught fire. The fire, which is thought to have been caused by concentrated sunlight on the fabric of the wing, resulted in extensive damage. However, it was rebuilt as a static exhibit to represent this important aircraft.

• Send this image as a postcard
• Download full aircraft history (Adobe Reader Document, .pdf)