Vickers Vernon Explained

The Vickers Vernon was a British biplane troop carrier used by the Royal Air Force. It entered service in 1921 and was the first dedicated troop transport of the RAF.

The Vernon was a development of the Vickers Vimy Commercial, a passenger variant of the famous Vickers Vimy bomber, and was powered by twin Napier Lion engines or Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII engines. 55 were built.

In February 1923, Vernons of Nos. 45 and 70 Squadrons RAF airlifted nearly 500 troops to Kirkuk, Iraq after the civilian area of that town had been overrun by Kurdish forces. This was the first-ever strategic airlift of troops.

Vernons of No. 45 Squadron had bomb racks and sights fitted. In May 1924 the squadron was officially designated No. 45 (Bombing) Sqdn.

Vernons were replaced by Vickers Victorias from 1927.

Variants

Vernon Mk I

military transport aircraft powered by two V-12 Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII piston engines.

Vernon Mk II

military transport aircraft powered by two W-12 Napier Lion II piston engines.

Vernon Mk III

military transport aircraft powered by two high compression W-12 Napier Lion III piston engines.

Operators

Royal Air Force
- No. 45 Squadron RAF
- No. 70 Squadron RAF

References

Book: Andrews. E. N. . Morgan . E. B. . Vickers Aircraft Since 1908 . 2nd . 1988 . Putnam . London . 0-85177-815-1 .
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Book: Johnson . Brian . Cozens . H. I. . Bombers The Weapon of Total War . 1984 . London . Methuen . 0-423-00630-4 .
Book: Moyes, Philip . Bomber Squadrons of the R.A.F. and Their Aircraft . 1964 . MacDonald . London . 796778515 .
Book: Thetford, Owen . Aircraft of the Royal Air Force 1918–57 . 1st . Putnam . London . 1957 . 936602559 .
Book: Thetford, Owen . Aircraft of the Royal Air Force since 1918 . 1962 . Putnam . London . 213505944 .
Book: Wragg, David . Airlift A History of Military Air Transport . 1986 . Shrewsbury . Airlife . 0-906393-61-2 . registration .