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Timeline |
The Halifax was the second of the four-engined heavy bombers to enter service with the Royal Air Force. The huge Stirling was already flying operations but the prototype Lancaster had not yet flown in November 1940 when N°35 squadron began operations.
The Halifax first flew on 24 September 1939, 21 days after the UK declared war on Germany and it entered operations thirteen months later. It quickly became apparent that the aircraft's defensive armament was inadequate for daylight use and by the end of 1941, the Halifax was used only by night in the bombing role. A significant design modification was made to the Mk.I version after some inexplicable losses of fully loaded aircraft had shown that it was possible for the Halifax to enter an inverted and uncontrollable spin. This problem was solved on the later versions by replacing the triangular fins by larger rectangular ones.
The Mk.II received more powerful Merlin engines and a single Vickers K machine gun for the bomb aimer.
The Mk.III was the second major production variant. This type was powered by 1,615 hp Bristol Hercules XVI engines replacing the Merlin's of previous versions. A total of 2,060 Mk.III's were produced from February 1944 to the war's end.
The Mk.IV was a non-production design using a turbocharged Hercules powerplant.
The Mk.V was used by the Coastal Command in the anti-submarine role and also for dropping paratroops.
Mk.VI and Mk.VII versions were completed at the war's end with more powerful engines and longer range.
At the peak of its service with Bomber Command some thirty-four squadrons operated the aircraft in Europe and four more in the Middle East. The Halifax was also operated by nine squadrons of the RAF's Coastal Command for anti-submarine, meteorological, and shipping patrols. RAF Transport Command used the aircraft as casualty, freight, and personnel transports. As well, two "special duty" squadrons which had the task of dropping special agents and supplies into enemy territory flew the Halifax.
Another vital use of the Halifax was made by the Airborne Forces. It was the only aircraft capable of towing the large Hamilcar glider and they towed these and other glider types at the invasion of Sicily and Normandy as well as at Arnhem and the final crossing of the Rhine.
A total of 6,176 Halilfax were built and a few remained in service with the Royal Air Force until 1947. Affectionately known as the "Halibag" and mainly used as a night bomber, the Halifax had dropped a total of 227,610 bombs in 75,532 missions during WWII.
As the war progressed, the Halifax became overshadowed by the Lancaster which appeared capable of carrying ever-increasing bomb loads without serious degradation of its performance and handling capabilities. The Halifax, however, operated successfully in Bomber Command operations until the end of the war and was clearly superior to the Lancaster in its multi-role capability.
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Specifications (Halifax Mk.III)
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