The Vickers Valetta is a twin-engine military transport aircraft developed and produced by the British manufacturing company Vickers-Armstrongs Ltd. Developed from the Vickers VC.1 Viking compact civil airliner, it was an all-metal mid-wing monoplane with a tailwheel undercarriage.
Development of the Valetta commenced during immediate postwar years as a consequence of Royal Air Force (RAF) interest in a military transport model of the Viking. Amongst the requirements stipulated for the aircraft was the need for it to rapidly alternate between various different roles, including those of a troop transport, air ambulance, freighter, glider tug, and paratroop carrier. To accommodate these various roles, many of the aircraft's furnishings were designed to be rapidly removed and replaced by alternative configurations. Further design changes from the Viking included the adoption of more powerful Bristol Hercules 230 radial engines, a reinforced cabin floor, and a strengthened undercarriage.
Having performed its maiden flight on 30 June 1947, the Valetta was quickly introduced to RAF service during the following year. The type promptly became a major element of Transport Command's activities and participated in various British military operations conducted during the 1950s and 1960s, including the Suez Crisis, Aden, and the Malayan Emergency. It was further developed into multiple variants, including a VIP model, and multiple training models. Most extensively, the Valetta was the basis for the Vickers Varsity, a dedicated military trainer aircraft.
Development Background The origins of the Valetta are closely associated with the aircraft from which it was derived, the Vickers VC.1 Viking, a civil-orientated airliner which had in turn been derived from the Second World War-era Vickers Wellington medium bomber.Andrews 1969, pp. 396, 408. During the latter stages of the Viking's development, it underwent extensive evaluations by the Royal Air Force (RAF). Several officials took an interest in seeing the type procured as a dedicated military transport variant with which to equip RAF Transport Command, using the aircraft as a quick replacement for numerous worn-out transport aircraft that had served in the Second World War.
It was on the basis of this interest that the Air Ministry decided to formalise the requirement, issuing Specification C.9/46 with Vickers' design specifically in mind. The aviation author C. F. Andrews observed that the specification was relatively forward-looking for the era, particularly as it required the aircraft to be rapidly convertible for performing various roles, including as a troop carrier, air ambulance, freighter, glider tug, and for air-dropping both paratroopers and supplies.Andrews 1969, p. 408.
Into flight The first prototype, Valetta, which had originally been built as a standard Viking (c/n 158), was completed during the first half of 1947. On 30 June 1947, this prototype performed the type's maiden flight from Brooklands, piloted by Vickers' test pilot Mutt Summers.Andrews 1969, p. 411.Thetford 1957, pp. 446–447.
Although the Valetta was named after the Maltese capital Valletta, the aircraft's name is spelt with only a single "l". The Viking and Valetta provided the basis of the Varsity. The Varsity, although similar, was slightly larger and had a tricycle undercarriage arrangement and was equipped with a distinctive under-fuselage pannier for accommodating a bomb-aimer and up to 24 practice bombs.Andrews 1969, p. 413.
Design The Vickers Valetta was a twin-engine military transport aircraft. The fundamental differences between the Valetta and its Viking predecessor consisted of the fitting of more powerful engines, the installation of a strengthened cabin floor, and the presence of a sizable pair of reinforced double-doors on the side of the fuselage for loading and unloading cargoes.Donald, David, ed. The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. London: Aerospace Publishing, 1997. . The use of more powerful engines was largely necessitated by the aircraft's roughly 2,000 lb increase in all-up weight over that of the Viking. The engines fitted to the Valetta were a pair of Bristol Hercules 230 radial engines, each capable of providing up to 2,000 hp.
To best accommodate its use as a transport aircraft, Valetta was designed to accommodate various-sized military cargoes, even relatively bulky ones; thus the interior floor was designed to support as much as 1,500 lb being exerted upon any single focused point of contact; this floor was lined with anchoring points from which to secure cargoes to. Furthermore, many of the interior furnishings were designed to be quickly-removable, enabling the aircraft to quickly be converted between roles; these furnishings included multiple styles of seating, a loading winch, vehicle ramps, floor rollers, glider-towing apparatus, additional fuel tanks, and side-wall soundproofing measures.Andrews 1969, p. 408-410. As a troop transport, up to 34 fully-equipped soldiers could be carried by a single Valetta, while up to 20 stretcher-bound personnel, along with two medical attendants, could be transported in the air ambulance layout; the paratroop configuration accommodated a maximum of 20 paratroopers along with nine 350 lb air-droppable supply containers.Andrews 1969, p. 410.
Several external provisions for handling various payloads were present, such as the carriage of supply containers upon twin racks installed under the centre fuselage. To enable gliders to be towed, the rear fuselage featured a pyramid-shaped structure that was used for the anchoring point and release mechanism alike. For extended range operations, optional flexible bag-like tanks could be installed. To accommodate higher weight payloads that had been anticipated in the Viking's operations and to better withstand rougher landings, the undercarriage was reinforced considerably.Andrews 1969, pp. 410-411.
Operational history During 1948, the Valetta C.1 entered service with the RAF. Its arrival in quantity led to the rapid replacement of the wartime Douglas Dakotas within RAF Transport Command, including the numerous transport squadrons stationed across the Middle East and Far East. The Valetta was used over active conflict zones, such as to perform numerous parachute drops over Egypt during the 1956 Suez Crisis.Paul, James Paul and Martin Spirit. "The Last Drop 3 Para at El Gamil airfield." Britain's Small Wars, 2008. Retrieved: 10 April 2007. The type was frequently in its transport capacity to support a number of other British military operations throughout the 1950s and 1960s, including during the Malayan Emergency,Paul, James Paul and Martin Spirit. "RAF in Malaya." Britain's Small Wars, 2008. Retrieved: 10 April 2007. and Aden.Paul, James Paul and Martin Spirit. "The RAF in Aden and the Radafan." Britain's Small Wars, 2008. Retrieved: 10 April 2007.
While the vast majority of Valettas were of the C.1 standard, there were several specialised variants inducted as well. The Valetta C.2 was a dedicated VIP passenger transport; its performance was largely similar save for its extended range capabilities.Thetford 1957 (rev 1988), p. 566.
The Valetta T.3 was built to provide a navigational trainer for service with the RAF College at RAF Cranwell and with No.1 and No.2 Air Navigation Schools. They could be visually distinguished from prior variants by the presence of numerous astrodomes across the top of its fuselage. 40 aircraft were delivered from August 1951, with the last being WJ487 in September 1952. A total of 18 Valetta T.3s were subsequently converted to the T.4 standard, which featured an enlarged nose that accommodated a radar unit, enabling the model to be used for the training of personnel in the aircraft interception (AI) role.Martin 1975, pp. 35–37.
Several individual Valettas were modified under various experimental programmes performed by Vickers. Various alternative undercarriages were trialled, although these reportedly displayed little change in ground handling performance when compared against the standard configuration.
Variants Valetta C.1 - transport, 211 built Valetta C.2 - VIP transport, 11 built Valetta T.3 - aircrew trainer, 40 built. Valetta T.4 - converted from T.3 with radar fitted in nose.Taylor, Michael J.H. Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions, 1989. .Andrews 1969, p. 412.
Operators
Royal Air Force + Squadron From To Location(s) Notes No. 30 Squadron RAF November 1950 May 1957 RAF AbingdonRAF BensonRAF Dishforth No. 48 Squadron RAF June 1950May 1951 September 1950December 1957 RAF Changi No. 52 Squadron RAF June 1951 April 1966 RAF ChangiRAF Kuala LumpurRAF Butterworth No. 70 Squadron RAF January 1950 January 1956 RAF KabritRAF FayidRAF Nicosia No. 78 Squadron RAF April 1950 September 1954 RAF KabritRAF Fayid Disbanded No. 84 Squadron RAF February 1953 December 1956 RAF FayidRAF Abu SueirRAF Nicosia Disbanded No. 84 Squadron RAF December 1956 August 1960 RAF Khormaksar Reformed No. 110 Squadron RAF October 1951 December 1957 RAF Changi No. 114 Squadron RAF September 1949 December 1957 RAF KabritRAF FayidRAF Abu SueirRAF Nicosia Disbanded No. 115 Squadron RAF August 1963 May 1964 RAF TangmereRAF Watton No. 204 Squadron RAF May 1949 February 1953 RAF KabritRAF Fayid Disbanded No. 216 Squadron RAF November 1949 November 1955 RAF KabritRAF Fayid No. 233 Squadron RAF September 1960 January 1964 RAF Khormaksar Reformed then disbanded No. 622 Squadron RAF November 1950 September 1953 RAF Blackbushe Reformed then disbanded No. 683 Squadron RAF November 1950 November 1953 RAF FayidRAF KabritRAF EastleighRAF KhormaksarRAF Habbaniya Royal Air Force College Cranwell RAF Cranwell No. 1 Air Navigation School RAF March 1957 August 1970 RAF TopcliffeRAF Stradishall No. 2 Air Navigation School RAF RAF Thorney Island No. 3 Air Navigation School RAF March 1952 April 1954 RAF Bishops Court No. 5 Air Navigation School RAF March 1951 November 1952 RAF Lindholme No. 6 Air Navigation School RAF February 1952 December 1953 RAF Lichfield No. 228 Operational Conversion Unit RAF October 1956 1961 RAF North LuffenhamRAF Leeming Overseas Ferry Unit RAF RAF Abingdon
Accidents and incidents On 18 February 1951, an RAF Valetta made a forced belly landing near Stockholm-Bromma Airport following the failure of one engine and radio problems. Airframe icing compounded the situation. Of the 22 passengers and crew, one person was killed. The aircraft was totally destroyed. On 15 January 1953, Valetta C.1 VX562 collided in mid-air over the Mediterranean Sea with a RAF Lancaster, all 19 on the Valetta and seven Lancaster crew were killed."Accident Description: Valetta C1." aviation-safety.net. On 11 November 1953, VX490 disappeared while on air test after departing RAF Changi. All 7 on board died. It is thought the plane broke up in a thunderstorm. On 6 January 1954, Valetta T.3 WJ474 crashed near Aldbury, Hertfordshire on takeoff in bad weather from RAF Bovingdon. The aircraft was carrying a rugby team, and 17 on board were killed, with one survivor."Accident Description: Valetta T3." aviation-safety.net.Service Aviation Flight 15 January 1954 On 21 February 1954, Valetta C.1 WJ494 Inbound from Hong Kong, crashed from Singapore's Changi RAF base during a single engine approach. It was alleged that the pilot feathered the wrong faulty engine whilst approaching the runway. The aircraft lost height and hit trees, bursting into flames; of the twelve occupants, three lost their lives."ASN Aircraft accident Vickers Valetta C.1 WJ494 Singapore-Changi RAF Station" aviation-safety.net. On 17 April 1957, Valetta C.1 VW832 crashed at Queria, Jordan, five minutes after taking off from King Hussein International Airport, when the left wing separated after encountering turbulence. All 26 people on board were killed."ASN Aircraft accident Vickers Valetta C.1 VW832 Queria" aviation-safety.net.