The Aircraft That Conquered The Atlantic | Vickers Vimy [Aircraft Overview #29]
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- Опубликовано: 10 фев 2025
- Though it arrived too late to serve as a heavy bomber in World War One, the Vickers Vimy would go on to earn immortality during the interwar period. Though it was operated by numerous RAF squadrons, its service life was uneventful, however two Vimys would break several endurance and distance records that would prove the viability of long-distance air travel.
One example flown by John Alcock and Arthur Brown would complete the first non-stop crossing of the atlantic - a considerable feat in 1919! Another Vimy, flown by Ross & Keith Smith, would become the first aircraft to fly from England to Australia. The Vimy would also form the backbone of the Middle Eastern section of the new air mail routes as the Vimy Commercial and Vickers Vernon. In the space of just a few years the Vickers contributed much to the "shrinking of the world" that was made by aircraft.
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Producing these videos is a hobby of mine. I have a passion for history, and personally own a large collection of books, journals and other texts, and endeavor to do as much research as possible. However if there are any mistakes, please don't hesitate to reach out and correct anything :)
Sources:
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F.A.Q Section
Q: Do you take aircraft requests?
A: I have a list of aircraft I plan to cover, but feel free to add to it with suggestions:)
Q: Why do you use imperial measurements for some videos, and metric for others?
A: I do this based on country of manufacture. Imperial measurements for Britain and the U.S, metric for the rest of the world, but I include text in my videos that convert it for both.
Q: Will you include video footage in your videos, or just photos?
A: Video footage is very expensive to licence, if I can find footage in the public domain I will try to use it, but a lot of it is hoarded by licencing studies (British Pathe, Periscope films etc). In the future I may be able to afford clips :)
Q: Why do you sometimes feature images/screenshots from flight simulators?
A: Sometimes there are not a lot of photos available for certain aircraft, so I substitute this with digital images that are as accurate as possible.
Feel free to leave you questions below - I may not be able to answer all of them, but I will keep my eyes open :)
If you ever need video material of Dutch aircraft. A lot is free to use from the NIMH (National Institute of Military History).
Will you do the Saunders Roe SR177?
I'd love to see a vid of the Handley Page V/1500 since it's a big part of RAF Bircham Newtons beginning in 1918 and I am Chairman of the Heritage Centre there :) it has an interesting story! We had the Vimy there also after First World War into the Interwar period!
Love the longer content! I hate this drive to shorter & shorter videos. For me, anything less than an hour is considered a trailer!
How about a video on the different pursuit aircraft of either the RAF and RAAF,RCAF/commonwealth and US Army Airforce aircraft in between the wars in this longer format.
Or a video on RAAF aircraft in between the wars or in ww2. I've seen a few videos on the subject but I know you would do a good job. Oh and a video on the Walrus. The flying boat on some royal navy ships or just a video on obscure flying boats. Thank you for your great work. I share your stuff all the time.
Well done Rex, I really enjoyed this one, great research into the history of one of the great biplane twins. No problem with the length of the video either, more room for good stuff.
The development history of this plane has some very Monty Python energy.
"Listen, lad. I built this kingdom up from nothing. When I started here, all there was, was swamp. Other kings said I was daft to build a castle on a swamp, but I built it all the same, just to show 'em. It sank into the swamp. So, I built a second one. That sank into the swamp. So, I built a third one. That burned down, fell over, then sank into the swamp, but the fourth one... stayed up! And that's what you're gonna get, lad: the strongest castle in these islands."
About 20 years ago there was a team that re-created the Smith brothers’ flight to Australia. They built a replica Vickers Vimy and followed the original route. I remember National Geographic doing an article about it.
I remember seeing this too. Was a great program. I think they used small block Chevrolet motors for power, set up for aircraft use.
I've just watched that one & it led me to this. 😊
I can not imagine a GM engine that would last that long. My experience with GM engines has always resulted in failures after short periods. Yhe reason I switched to Mopar 318s and 360s..@@timothyjamieson1282
It was constructed at the former Hamilton AFB in California. There is an excellent hard-cover coffee table sized book on its flight. One of those Chevrolet engines blew in Indonesia and the story of its replacement is fascinating.
Thank you for this story. And about the length: use whatever time that suits the topic. I enjoyed this video very much.
Indeed, some aircraft have more info than others after all. Since people like to bring up Drachnifel, he does various lengths from ship guides that are ACTUALLY about 5 minutes, to ones that are over 30.
Thank you for remembering the Vickers Vimy - definitely part of Britain's aviation heritage.
I've seen the one in the Science Museum. It's remarkably small. They had a lot of courage flying one across the Atlantic.
Courage somehow seemed more real back then.
That is the actual aircraft used by Alcock and Brown, Vickers rebuilt it after it's crash. Mad to think they flew the Atlantic in such a flimsy looking vehicle.
Are they, they look massive on video. 📹
I'm going to look up the dimensions. 😁
Nicely researched, a rarity on the internet! For anyone interested there is also a replica Vimy available to see at the Brooklands Museum. It was built in the 1990s to re-enact the famous record breaking routes, which it did very successfully, but has now been retired.
Rex, it would be a delight to have 20 minute videos more often. I thoroughly enjoyed this one on the Vimy.
I enjoy your current length vids but they are so interesting that they always seen to end just after they started which you can take as a tribute to your research and excellent period photographs.
I don't know what your constraints are but 10 minutes as the norm with the treat of 20 minutes on a quasi-regular basis would certainly be welcomed here.
Failing that, anything you choose to post on your channel will always be welcomed I am sure by all 37.5K of us!
Cheers from E. Ontario!
Agreed
The Vimy at Adelaide is having some well needed maintenance and restoration work done as it is being moved to a purpose built display section of the Airport.
That's G-EAOU. My father told me it was known as God 'Elp All Of Us.
No problem with such length, when content is interesting
Loved the deep dive in to the history. The added time is a good innovation I think
I have heard the Vimy name many times, but never knew much about the aircraft. This video is packed with fascinating information about a pioneering aircraft. Thank you. Your videos are never too long.
It was my privilege to encounter the replica of the Smith brothers' aircraft at Mildura (Australia) airport in the 1990's. It had a small patch of canvas from the original aircraft incorporated into the fabric covering the fuselage.
Excellent! Really interesting - I like this longer format, more to get your teeth into. Could you do a whole episode on the Australian competition? It would be good to know what happened to the other contestants. Good to hear Weybridge and Brooklands mentioned too. My dad worked at Vickers (although not at this time!) and the Brooklands racetrack was my playground (although, strictly, that was trespassing!). We used to play on the banked bits of the old race track, which were incredibly steep - far too steep to run up (or even down - except by sliding from one tree to another!) I also remember the Vickers factory, although all I remember clearly was one hanger which was full of full-sized wooden models of aircraft - built (apparently) as design and production tests. I will admit to wondering if I really do remember this, as they might just have been normal wooden planes, but I'm reasonably sure I am remembering correctly because by then Vickers made jets (my dad worked on the VC10 and the early Concorde) and I'm sure production versions of those planes were never made out of wood!
A video is neither too long nor to short.
It is precisely as long as the subject deserves.
It was not until you said it was a longer post that I realised it, really good, very interesting. Keep up the good work.
I found the longer format very good; though I admit to less interest in the details of design and more to the exploits of the plane. But it was very good and informative. I thoroughly enjoy your channel and look forward to each new posting. Thanks for your hard work and keep up the great material
I so love the term: Outbreak of peace. One of my absolute favorites along with 'I wish I was making this up'. Thanks Chris, you rock.
Here's a vote for longer content.
I didn't even notice how long the video was, it was that interesting.
Well done Sir.
I actualy have photographs that my Grandad took in 1928 in Egypt on the record breaking mail run, he stood just to the left of the offical RAF photgrapher and took his photo, also the nutter doing parachute jumps from a Vimy and being photographed by a chase plane as he and his mate walked along the wings and then let go. Apparently all in the name of science. Great vid please more, I'm really enjoying these.
"Pull off" parachute descents from many different aircraft were quite routine at the time...
Used to love visiting the Vimy at Adelaide airport, watching this makes me want to go see it again
Love the longer more detailed videos! They’re great
Yes. longer videos would be appreciated.
The length of this video is fine, it matches the quantity and quality of the info conveyed. In fact, I had to pause a couple of times to digest a section. There's no padding at all. Otherwise - man, that commercial version made me sit up when it popped onto the screen. Such an advance over the bomber fuselage.
YES! Longer content is prefered to "skiming" the subject. Thanks for the offer. Was impressed by the Smith Brothers achievement, especially in 1919.
I personally very much enjoy longer videos that I can turn on and do work/chores listening to
Excellent video. Thanks from all old airplanes lovers
These 20min would seem to me as 10 minutes the most - time flies when one is entertained.
Really enjoyed the longer format.
Awesome, longer videos are great for me. Thanks again!!
Wikipedia has a nice article on the Vimy. The guppy-like Airline model with the chubby fuselage is awesome and there's a nice interior photo of the old fashioned cabin.
Can you imagine what an incredible adventure that trip to the Antipodes must have been back in the day. Epic!
Liking the longer videp's Rex, Great Content as always 👍👍
Thanks for another exciting video. I have always been interested in aircraft, so I get very happy every time you launch a new one and your interest in old aircraft only makes it even better. Your videos are the most serious and best produced I have seen on RUclips The longer format really fits this video, it only makes it more interesting! I will look forward to your next (long maybe?) Video.
Mike. Sound engineer.
Thank you very much for the video I like the longer format you are a pleasure to listen to I especially thought that the comment about getting their face is ripped off at 130 miles an hour was hilarious keep up the good work
I saw the last flight of the replica Vimy at Goodwood some years ago and i have to say they sit in the air exactly like a brick .. amazing aircraft to watch..
Rex take all the time you need, we'll watch.
My uncle passed away in the 1990s and i inherited a huge cache of models, some boxed, others mixed up in bags. Recently, i found an old 1960s (?) Kit of the vimy in 1/72 representing the transatlantic model. Took a while to find all the parts, but, in the end, came out nice.
The extra length was definitely worth it - thank you sir.
I enjoyed the longer runtime, so you could do the history of the aircraft justice in full detail.
Was it a longer than normal video? Didn't notice; too interested! If a plane has an interesting history, please take as long as you need.
Longer-form videos are very welcome! Thanks for the insights into the Vimy.
Absolutely phenomenal video! Really enjoyed the longer content. Thanks
A great video, the length wasn't a problem, in fact it was nice to sit down for a bit longer than normal.
The more minutes the better. Keep them coming!
Excellent, again another first class job, well paced & relevant throughout.
A longer video is very welcome!
i don´t mind the 10-15 min videos, perfect time for a lunch break & planes history
Excellent content. Length is perfect if information and content not waffle or padding. Thanks gain for these I really enjoy them.
Long videos are wonderful as long as the content is as good as this!!👍🏻👍🏻
These videos are brilliant and very informative. Love your work. The longer format is far better!
A terrific video - the Vimy certainly deserved the extra time devoted to it!
Really a great time .great planes and stunning crews. on my first trip to Ireland i visited the actual landing site and not just the monument.
Always informative. Thankyou!
Thank you Rex great work Sir
Absolutely fine with longer videos when they're needed to comprehensively cover an aircraft.
I really enjoyed this video, thank you.
Excellent. Proper length vid.
Thank goodness for subtitles. I thought I misheard you when I heard Maori. I had no idea there was an engine line called that
Thank you Rex, that was great, the extra length allowed for a much more in depth coverage from which I learnt a lot..
Longer videos are fine, keep them coming, please!
Absolutely!! Complete is preferred!! Outstanding video
Definitely a good length of video! Long enough to cover the subject, but not so detailed it makes me want to fast-forward through it!
I am totally up for longform videos from you, feel free to knock it out of the park! Your subject matter is always interesting, and your presentation is easy on the ears!
Thanks for doing the longer piece! I've heard of the Vimy for years from the transatlantic flight, but I didn't know more. Thanks again!
Great video, I love your subtle sense of humour.
Longer if needed is great. Good videos, thanks.
Well done Rex the results of your research is without equal and this one on the Vimy might be the best yet as the aircraft would achieve so much post the great war.
Excellent video, I prefer the length to be appropriate to the subject matter. Longer videos are fine with me.
Oh yeah more content is always appreciated! Keep them coming. Great work
Cool! This is a great pleasure to watch such a great quality longer video! Thanks a lot!
Nice job on this one. And a longer video for such a historic aircraft seems perfectly justified.
Excellent, excellent summary of the Vimy. Many thanks!
Love the longer format. Another great vid!
Excellent video thanks Rex. The longer the better when they are this good 👍
Great content, definitely do it more often!
Thanks!
Love to see how these designs evolved, until they finally reached the end of their possible improvement!
A great study at an appropriate length. Cheers!😊
10:00 - 11:20 man this here is a really good example of how dangerus flying sometimes was back then. Open top cockpit that exposes you to the wind and the cold, perhaps unstable controls (broken trim in this case since slower moving planes where generally less stable in a flight where nothing is touched) and having to deal with bad weather all while being concidered lucky to even have a radio on any plane at those times
Good thing they had seatbelts to save them :)
That was splendid. All I knew was covered in three minutes.
My grandfather was a Royal Navy engineer in WWI, after which he emigrated to Canada and found work at the Vickers shipyard in Montreal. As there were few airframe mechanics, he ended up working on aircraft mostly. Among those, the Vikers Vedette, which he made some specialized modifications to some. It was such a new field at the time, he talked about how they had to figure out and build the modification, then call the drafting department down to draw and document the engineering. I do believe one of the planes he worked on was the Vikers Vimy. Though I can’t find record of a failed attempt, he mentioned a plane that did the first Atlantic crossing west to east. He worked on it after the first attempt failed and I now have some parts from the plane kicking around somewhere. Small parts that is, no engine or props! LOL!
2:23, note the hole in the ground to accommodate the big thing in the small hangar. Great idea and probably cheaper than building a new hangar.
Rex, I've been watching your videos for about a week and I've gotta say I am absolutely impressed. Subbed.
Wonderful work. Both short and long content works well for you. Wish you best of luck with future videos.
Your videos are of good length and sometimes I feel that they are of slightly shorter length than essential. As long as the content is important and not dull or dragging, a longer length videos are most welcome. This particular video is of PERFECT length. Thank You.
well done ! its a treat seeing these obscure planes && how strange some of them look to the modern eye!
Nicely done. Specific Factual, without the BS chatter
19:50 The passengers were enclosed but the pilots wanted fresh air and visibility. Love to meet one of those pilots.
I drive a Morgan three wheeler. No roof, aero screen. In the wind when it is cold I close the helmet visor. Then I feel that I can't see and it feels stuffy so I open it again.. I understand those guys. Up to 120 it is very nice, but I would want a closed full face helmet for 200+
Take as much time as needed! I love a long video
I grew up in Adelaide and rememeber the Vimy from 1969. Such an impressive unit.
Its still there I saw it recently. They plan to move it into a new terminal in march.
I did indeed enjoy this video! Heck, who am I kiddin' I enjoy ALL your videos! Thanks for the Great Content friend!
By all means, include longer videos. Excellent channel!
Great work mate
Great documentary Rex! Fascinating stuff.
Great video and where deserved, a more in depth video such as this one is just what is needed.
Great video, I don't mind the longer format.
Take the time you need. Haven't heard you repeatedly anything or add fluff like some do. Thankyou for the good work
Excellent video, loved the longer content, keep up the great work 👍
Excellent as always Rex....this longer format is good ! :-)