Vickers Victoria Biplane History
The Vickers Victoria biplane was a transport aircraft built by the British engineering company Vickers Limited. It was powered by twin Napier Lion engines and, with foldaway canvas seating along the sides of the fuselage, had the capacity to carry 22 troops. The first of two prototypes, Type 56 designated Victoria Mk I, made it’s first flight at Brooklands on September 22, 1922; the second prototype, Type 81 designated Victoria Mk II, first flew in January 1923. Several changes were made during production resulting in the following models: Type 56 Victoria Mk I, Type 81 Victoria Mk II, Type 117, Victoria Mk III, Type 145 Victoria Mk IV, Type 169 Victoria Mk V and Type 262 Victoria Mk VI. The changes made included the introduction of metal frames instead of wood, the introduction of swept back wings and the upgrade to Bristol Pegasus radial engines.