Second World War aviation art prints of the Wellington aircraft. Our collection of prints and original paintings of the Wellington aircraft of World War Two.
The Vickers Wellington was a Bomber aircraft and also used for maritime reconnaissance. and had a normal crew of six except in the MKV and VI where a crew of three was used. Maximum speed was 235 mph (MK1c) 255 mph (MK III, X) and 299 mph (MK IIII), normal operating range of 1805 miles (except MK III which was 1470miles) The Wellington or Wimpy as it was known, was the major bomber of the Royal Air Force between 1939 and 1943. The Royal Air Force received its first Wellingtons in October 1938 to 99 squadron. and by the outbreak of World war two there were 6 squadrons equipped with the Vickers Wellington. Due to heavy losses on daylight raids, the Wellington became a night bomber and from 1940 was also used as a long range bomber in North Africa. and in 1942 also became a long range bomber for the royal Air Force in India. It was well used by Coastal Command as a U-Boat Hunter. The Wellington remained in service with the Royal Air Force until 1953. Probably due to its versatile use, The aircraft was also used for experimental work including the fitting of a pressure cabin for High altitude tests. The Vickers Wellington could sustain major damage and still fly, probably due to its construction of its geodesic structure and practical application of geodesic lines. Designed by Sir Barnes Wallis
Encore by Steve Gibbs.
Wellington Mk X Bombers from 104 Squadron Royal Air Force based at Foggia in Italy make a night raid on the Messerschmitt factory at Steyr in Austria on 24/25th February 1944. The raid was by way of a follow-up to the USAAF daylight raid of earlier that day which left the factory badly damaged. Of the 36 Wellingtons that took off from Foggia, only these two found the target. Others, using captured Italian maps later found to be in error, were unable to navigate accurately. Six aircraft were lost in the Alps through flying into mountains where their captured maps indicated incorrect heights. The depicted aircraft, flown by Canadian Flg Off Fred Ashbaugh and navigated by the late Flg Off Dennis Wilburn, returned safely to Foggia after the successful mission.
On 4th September 1939, fourteen Wellington aircraft from Nos. 9 and 149 Squadrons attacked the entrance to the Kiel Canal at Brunsbüttel, the first raid of the war. Two of the aircraft of No.9 Sqn were lost with all crew members. These were L4268 and L4275 KA-H, the first aircraft shot down on the western front.
Item Code : DHM6141
Our First Reply by Chris Golds. - Editions Available
The Vickers-Armstrong Wellington entered service life in the RAF in 1938 as a medium bomber. As the mainstay of the Bomber Command, it bore the initial brunt of the RAFs night offensive during 1940. Without the benefit of sophisticated navigation aids, the bomber crews had difficulty locating and hitting targets and also contending with rapidly improving German defences. The picture depicts an incident at sunrise on the morning of 26th July 1940. A Wellington 1c of 99 Squadron, based at Newmarket Heath, returns from a raid over Dortmund. An engine fails over the North Sea and the aircraft, captained by Squadron Leader Sarll, struggled almost to its home base and crashed just south of Cambridge. The crew survived.
Heligoland, German coast, 18th December 1939. Johannes Macky Steinhoff attacking Vickers Wellington bombers of No.37 Sqn. A raiding force of 22 RAF Wellington Ia bombers from 9, 37 and 149 squadrons was intercepted by some 60 Me109 and Me110s. First to engage were 6 Me109Ds from Oberleutnant Johannes Macki Steinhoff 's NG26's experimental night fighter staffel. In the running battle that followed Steinhoff and Feldwebel Szuggar claimed 1 bomber each. It was a disasterous day for the RAF with a total of 12 aircraft being shot down and another 6 crash landing on their return to England.
Item Code : DP0197
Battle of the Bight by David Pentland. (P) - Editions Available
Soon to be cloaked in darkness, Wellington aircraft of 150 Squadron, RAF Newton, Nottinghamshire, prepare for another dangerous mission, never knowing if they would return.
Item Code : DHM2241
Final Preparations by Philip West. - Editions Available
On 18th December 1939, a force of Wellington bombers attacked naval targets on the German coast. On the return journey, they were attacked by enemy fighters, for over half an hour, bringing down 7 of the 22 Wellingtons. A further 5 would be forced to crash land in England. One of the surviving aircraft was flown by Sergeant Frank Petts who, in a futile attempt to shake off his attacker, dived to sea level. Despite sustaining considerable damage and with two of his crew wounded, he brought the bomber safely home. The experience of the raid forced the RAF to switch to night-time sorties, bombers were clearly too vulnerable without fighter escort. Six months later, during the Battle of Britain, the Luftwaffe would learn the same lesson.
Item Code : LE0627
A Hard Lesson to Learn by Adrian Rigby. - Editions Available
When it entered service in 1938, the twin-engined Vickers Wellington began an operational career that spanned the whole of the Second World War. Rugged and reliable, it was operated by Bomber Command, Coastal Command and Transport Command, possessing a level of versatility second to none, serving in almost every theatre of War. By the autumn of 1945 nearly 11,500 had been built. As the last one rolled off the Vickers production lines, the Wimpy as it was affectionately known, had secured its place in history, as one of the truly great aircraft of the Second World War
Undergoing pilot training in 1936 David Strong joined Bomber Squadron in 1937. When war broke out he was flying Whitleys with 166 Sqn then went to 104 Sqn flying Wellingtons. In 1941 whilst returning from a bombing raid over Italy his aircraft was struck by lightning and he pulled out at 200 feet over the North Sea. Unable to continue he was forced to ditch and all the crew survived but were captured and sent to Stalag Luft III. After the war he remained in the RAF and after a distinguished career including Senior ASO, RAF Germany and Officer Commanding RAF Halton he retired in 1966. Sadly, David Strong passed away on 21st August 2011.
Flying Officer C.J Mount joined NO.602 squadron on August 8th 1940 after a brief conversion course on Spitfires. On August 18th his Spitfire L1005 was severely damaged in combat with JU 87s and BF109s over Ford. Micky was unhurt. he again escaped injury when his Spitfire X4270 was damaged landing at Tangmere. he served in many of the theatres of WW2 and he flew Hurricanes in Malta and North Africa and Wellingtons in the Middle east. Micky retired and lived in Ascot in Berkshire. He died 4th August 2002.
Trained as Flight Mechanic working on Fairy Battles then transferred to 103 Squadron, Bomber Command on Wellingtons. After a Fitter 2E course he joined 161 Squadron at Tempsford with their Lysanders. During the "Moon Period" often working at Tangmere. He serviced the aircraft of Wing Commanders Pickard and Hodges.
Started his RAF career in December 1940 at No 1 Receiving Wing Babbacombe, then No 4 Initial Training Wing at Paignton. A long wait in the Liverpool area during which it was sunbathing or fatigues, led to a five-week trip in convoy to South Africa. There followed an enthralling year in what was then Southern Rhodesia for Elementary Flying Training on Tiger Moths and Service Flying Training on Harvards leading to the award of Wings. Instead of being sent to the Middle East, as was normal, a fast, unescorted trip took a boatload of fledgling pilots and navigators back to the UK. It appeared that the strategy of the war had changed and the emphasis was then on the build up of Bomber Command and therefore he was converted to multi-engined aircraft on Oxfords at South Cerney and on Wellingtons at further conversion to Stirlings at Waterbeach, plus two further crew members (making a crew of seven) and on to an operational tour with XV Squadron at Bourn and the award of the WC. It may be appropriate here to mention that the navigator was Brian E.B. Harris, DFC who has provided pictures and information to the authors of "Oxford's Own" (a history of XV Squadron) and "The Stirling". He has also produced a video tape called "Remember The Stirling". Brian is now the Chairman of 7he Stirling Project' which is a charity devoted to trying to build a Stirling aircraft for display purposes. (for further details tel: 01483 892626) Following the appropriate training F/Lt Ware became an Instructor at an Operational Training Unit and was Mentioned in Dispatches. After the War was over he transferred to Transport Command and spent the rest of his time in the RAF flying Liberators, mostly empty, to Karachi, and returning with 26 passengers, mostly troops. It was not easy to give up flying completely and he remained with the RAFVR and the RAux AF until they closed down, as a relief from and transition to, training to be a Chartered Accountant.
106 Squadron May, 1942 - January. 1943 and May, 1944 to Demob December, 1945. Volunteered mid 1941 as Observer, but due to shortage of pilots was sent to E.F.T.S. to train as a pilot. Alas I broke two Tiger Moths, so I was sent to Jurby I.O.M. to train as Navigator, Bomb Aimer & Air Gunner this was at 5 A.D.S. Finished my training at No 25 O.T.U. from Dee 1941 until May 1942 during which time I crewed up with a Wellington before joining 106 Squadron in May the same year. Did my first tour with 106 Squadron under Guy Gibson, 28 trips with Wimpey and 6 trips with Sqd Ldr John Searby. Both Wimpey and Searby went on to Pathfinders, each being awarded the D.S.O. and D.F.C. In July, 1942 over Hamburg were severely bit by flak, and with one wing on fire and 3 of crew wounded we limped home and were later sent to Cowley (Wimpey and I only) to talk to the workers there who, made flaps for Lancaster this was because of news In the papers, plans, pictures (artists impression) of us on fire. Apart from daylight to Le Creusot our other trips of note were trips to Essen ( we were always hit by flak there) using WANGANUI where we bombed flares in the sky at a precise time. Only 14 "Lancs" went it was the first time the Germans admitted that Krupps had been hit. With John Searby I went to Stuttgart low level in moonlight, but "Butch" Harris decided moonlight trips were too expensive. My best trip of first tour was to Berlin - we dropped Ist 1,000 lb bomb on Berlin - I suspect It dropped into a lake. I then went to the Central Navigation School, and having passed out there supposedly a better trained Navigator, I was sent to Bomber Development Unit at Feltwell and became one of the first 12 instructors on H2S - the new navigational aid. I was then lent to both 83 and 97 Pathfinder Squadrons to teach H2S to them and demonstrate it to a Staff College Party of Senior Offices. After this I spent from October 1943 to May 1942 running a H2S training section at Swinderby, where crews converted to 4 engined aircraft before joining their Squadrons. Having been told that as one of the first H2S instructors I would never be sent back to a Squadron, I was very surprised to be sent to Metheringham to become 106 Squadron Navigation Officer. Here I did a few more trips and after V.E. day helped to train Squadron members who would be part of the Tiger Force to fly against the Japanese. Fortunately this never happened. Whilst under Guy Gibson I was selected as an aircraft captain - this was a pop by Group to encourage navigators. I wasn't very keen and finished my tour before having to fly as a captain of aircraft. This idea didn't catch on, but was pleased to have been one of two navigators on the Squadron to have been selected by Guy Gibson. Incidentally, I was at the Palace when the Queen Mother gave Gibson his V.C. - there were quite a few 106'ers there with the Dam Busters that day."
Volunteering for RAF aircrew in 1940, Bill Reid learned to fly in California, training on the Stearman, Vultee and Harvard. After gaining his pilots wings back in England he flew Wellingtons before moving on to Lancasters in 1943. On the night of Nov 3rd 1943, his Lancaster suffered two severe attacks from Luftwaffe night fighters, badly wounding Reid, killing his navigator and radio operator, and severely damaging the aircraft. Bill flew on 200 miles to accurately bomb the target and get his aircraft home. For this act of outstanding courage and determination he was awarded the Victoria Cross. Died 28th November 2001.
Englishman Ted McGindle was studying in Australia at the outbreak of the Pacific war and joined the RAAF in April 1942. After initial training he gained his wings and graduated as a Sgt Pilot. Ted sailed for England and attended 21 OTU Morton-in-the-Marsh in March 1944 where he selected his crew and converted to Wellingtons. Ted McGindle converted to Halifaxes and in August 1944 was posted to 640 Sqn - 4 Group where he completed 11 operations. Later that month he transferred to 462 Sqn RAAF, equipped with Halifaxes and based at Driffield. On his 19th operation on 6th October 1944 to the synthetic oil plants at Sterkrade, Ted McGindle was awarded an immediate DFC and three of his crew immediate DFMs for bringing their crippled Halifax and wounded crew home to Woodbridge. During this seven month period he received four promotions from the rank of Sgt Pilot to Flt Lieutenant and acting Flight Commander in March 1945, completing his operational tour at the age of 21.
Joining the RAF in July 1941 he trained as a pilot in the USA and was posted to 420 Sqn as part of no 6 Group (RCAF) initially flying Wellingtons. The unit then converted to Halifaxes and he moved firstly to 427 Squadron and then 434 Sqn still flying this aircraft. In November 1944 he joined OTU as an instructor on Halifaxes, converting to Mosquitoes in January 1945. He then joined 571 Sqn as part of the Light Night Strike Force, flying the B Mk XVI and dropping 4000lb cookie bombs over Germany. He left the RAF in 1946 but rejoined, finally leaving in 1958
Joining the RAF in 1941, George trained on Wellington and Stirlings as a Wireless Operator and Air Gunner. Converting to Lancasters he was posted to 90 Squadron for his first operational tour, and then to 186 Squadron, still on Lancasters. George then found himself designated to be an Intelligence Officer at Lossiemouth, interrogating Italian POWs Finally, before leaving the service in 1946, he served in Sunderland flying boats, flying to West Africa, Europe and Scandinavia.
