Handley Page HP.54 Harrow

History

The Handley Page HP.54 "Hello" was a heavy bomber and transport aircraft developed in 1935 based on a 1931 specification. It retained a twin-engine, high-wing design and made its first flight on October 10, 1935. Over 100 prototypes were produced in Mk. I and Mk. II variants, serving with the RAF and Royal Canadian Air Force. Designed by G. V. Lachmann, the aircraft was ordered for production before its final design was complete.

Equipped with defensive gun positions and capable of carrying up to 3,000 pounds of bombs, the Harrow Mk. I and Mk. II had different engines and dimensions. The former featured Bristol Pegasus X engines, while the latter used Bristol Pegasus XX Series Meridians. The aircraft had a wingspan of 88.4 feet, a length of 82.1 feet, and a height of 19.4 feet. Its performance included a top speed of 200 mph, a cruising speed of 165 mph, a service ceiling of 22,800 feet, and a climb rate of around 710 feet per minute.

Entering service in January 1937, the Harrow participated in World War II as a bomber before transitioning to a secondary role as a transport plane, capable of carrying soldiers or patients. By 1945, all Harrow aircraft were retired. A pair of these planes were stationed in Gander, Newfoundland, with plans for service in 1940.

Specification

Basics

Years of Service: 1937

Origins: UK

Status: Retirement

Crew: 5

Production: 100

Manufacturer: Handley Page - UK

Carrier: Canada; UK

Roles

Ground attack (bombing, strafing)

The ability to conduct air strikes against ground targets using (but not limited to) artillery, bombs, rockets, rockets, etc.

Special mission: MEDEVAC

Extraction of wounded combat or civilian elements using specialized shipboard equipment and available internal volume or external carrying capacity.

Transportation

General transport function for moving supplies/cargo or people (including casualties and VIPs) out of range.

Dimensions and Weight

Length: 82.2 feet (25.05m)

Width/span: 88.4 feet (26.95m)

Height: 19.5 feet (5.95m)

Cured weight: 13,603 lbs (6,170 kg)

MTOW: 23,038 lbs (10,450 kg)

Wgt Difference: +9,436 lbs (+4,280 kg)

Performance

Installed: 2 x Bristol Pegasus XX 9 cylinder 925hp radial piston air-cooled engines driving a three-bladed propeller unit.

Maximum speed: 199 km/h (320 km/h | 173 kn)

Maximum: 22,966 feet (7,000 m | 4 km)

Area: 1,274 km (2,050 km | 3,797 nautical miles)

Rate of climb: 710 ft/min (216 m/min)

Weapon

Standard:

1 x 7.7mm Lewis machine gun mounted in a motorized bow turret.

1 x 7.7mm Lewis machine gun mounted in manually trained dorsal turret.

2 x 7.7mm Lewis machine guns in the motorized rear turret.

Optional:

Conventional throwing bombs up to 3,000 lbs.