Handley Page Halifax

Versatile Heavy Bomber that Operated with a Variety of Commands

Aug 28, 2009 Murray McLeod

The 'Halley' was the second of the RAF four-engine 'Heavies' to become operational and served with distinction alongside the Stirling and Lancaster.

The creation of Handley Page’s projected heavy bomber goes back to a 1936 Air Staff development contract. This was for a new generation of bombers to complement the Wellington and Whitley coming into service. Both Handley Page and Avro were awarded contracts for prototypes powered by the 24 cylinder Rolls Royce Vulture. Avro persevered with the fractious Vulture that powered the unpopular Manchester; instead Handley Page wisely avoided the Vulture and redesigned their prototype around four Rolls Royce Merlins. This flew successfully in October 1939, followed by a second prototype in August 1940; which provided a maximum speed of 260 mph and range of 1300 miles when carrying a full bomb load of 13,000 lbs.

Operational

Air Ministry were sufficiently impressed with the prototype to order the Halifax, the name it was allotted, into large scale production. An impressive total of 34 squadrons went on to operate the Halifax in Bomber Command; mainly with No.4 and 6 Groups where it maintained its position as one of the principal ‘heavies’. Following the initial night sorties of 1941, Halifaxes began to operate by both day and night, but increasing losses to German fighter defences led to its withdrawal from daylight operations.

Halifax Problems

A Mk.2 version was introduced into service; featuring a bulbous dorsal turret to supplement the front and rear turrets of the Mk.1. These modifications incurred a serious weight penalty on a design that was already underpowered. Losses began to mount alarmingly when fully loaded aircraft tended to develop an uncontrollable spin. A drastic weight-shedding programme was initiated to restore its performance; resulting in a 10% gain in maximum and cruising speeds.

Despite these modifications the Mk.2 Series 1A still suffered aerodynamic problems. A series of unexplained crashes led to exhaustive tests by Aircraft Establishment pilots to simulate these conditions. Finally the problem was traced to rudder stalling, when under certain conditions the rudder tended to lock hard over. This led to a redesign of the distinctive triangular fin of the original Halifax. New rectangular fins were designed to rectify the problem and these were introduced as modifications during 1943.

Throughout this troubling period increasing numbers of Halifax squadrons were raised, making a significant contribution to Bomber Command’s relentless offensive policy. During 1943 the Halifax tended to be relegated to less hazardous targets; due to a steep rise in losses to enemy fighters who found them easy prey as they laboured along at moderate altitudes.

Hercules Halifax

To provide the Halifax with a performance at least comparable to a Lancaster, Handley Page installed Bristol Hercules air-cooled radials in place of the traditional Merlins. The extra power offered significant improvements in all-round performance; in particular the ability of the BIII to operate at altitudes superior to that of the Lancaster. It was in a BIII of 578 squadron that Pilot Officer C.J. Barton gained the sole Halifax V.C. of World War 2.

Halifax Variants

A measure of its versatility was the Halifax’s involvement with Coastal Command, which operated 9 squadrons of B1s and B2s on anti-submarine and shipping patrols. Halifax variants served as glider tugs at the Normandy landings, the ill-fated Arnhem operation and in the final crossing of the Rhine.

Others served with Transport Command; operating standard bombers with armament and radar removed. It also served with Special Duty squadrons; these little-publicised units were involved in the parachuting of agents and arms to resistance units. The last Halifax bombing operation was an attack on gun batteries in the Friesian Islands on 25 April 1945. Its bombing statistics were impressive with 75,532 sorties flown, during which 227,610 tons of bombs were dropped. The ‘Halley’ had its share of vicissitudes that were overcome without disrupting production; while it never achieved the affection accorded theLancaster it still maintained its position as one of the two principal heavies.

The copyright of the article Handley Page Halifax in Military History is owned by Murray McLeod. Permission to republish Handley Page Halifax in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Halifax