Handley Page Halifax II
| Halifax | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Handley Page Halifax B.III showing the later rectangular fins and Bristol Hercules radial engines | |
| Role | Heavy bomber |
| Manufacturer | Handley Page |
| First flight | 25 October 1939 |
| Introduction | 13 November 1940 |
| Retired | 1961 (Pakistani Air Force) |
| Primary users |
Royal Air Force Royal Canadian Air Force Royal Australian Air Force Free French Air Force |
| Produced | 1940–1945 |
| Number built | 6,176 |
The Handley Page Halifax was a four-engined heavy bomber operated by the British Royal Air Force during World War II. The Halifax remained in service until the end of the war, performing a variety of duties in addition to bombing. It was a contemporary of the Avro Lancaster. The Halifax was also operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Free French Air Force and Polish forces. After World War II it was flown by the Royal Egyptian Air Force, the French Armée de l'Air and the Royal Pakistan Air Force.
Handley Page produced the HP56 design to meet Air Ministry Specification P.13/36 for a twin-engine medium bomber for "world-wide use". Other candidates for the specification included the Avro 679, and designs from Fairey, Boulton Paul and Shorts; all were designed around a two-engine installation, using the Rolls-Royce Vulture, Napier Sabre, Fairey P.24 or Bristol Hercules. Most of these engines were under development. While four-engined bombers were considered for specification B.12/36 for a heavy bomber, wings mounting two engines were still in the experimental stage requiring testing at the RAE and the resulting increase in overall weight of stronger wing meant further strengthening of the whole aircraft structure.George Volkert at Handley-Page had responsibility for the design.
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