The Vickers Wellesley - Unheralded Hero of a Forgotten War

[@EdNashsMilitaryMatters]

EDIT - U-559 was taken in the Eastern Med, not the Red Sea

[@wolfshanze5980]

2nd Edit... the U-559 was spotted by a Royal Air Force Sunderland, not a Wellesley? (I've actually seen references to both aircraft... so... not sure, but i've seen a few sites say it was a Sunderland).

[@roo72]

Italian base at MISAWA?! Are you quite sure about this name?

[@johndell3642]

@@wolfshanze5980 In a way, both are true - At the time Sunderlands, Wellingtons and Wellesleys would sometimes cooperate in a "Hunter-Killer" mode. The Sunderland and Wellington had longer endurance and a long-range ASV radar to detect surfaced submarines at night - but at that stage, the Sunderlands and Wellingtons in the Med did not have centimetric radar and Leigh Lights to conduct attacks in the dark. They would call up Wellesleys to investigate possible targets at first light. That's what happened to the U-559, the Sunderland detected it on radar and called up a Wellesley of 47 Squadron "Air Echelon" and two destroyers to investigate. The Wellesley saw the submarine and attacked with depth charges. These did not sink the submarine, but it then dropped a smoke-float to mark its location which the destroyers then homed in on to locate the sub with ASDIC.

[@johndell3642]

@@roo72 Massawa

[@PeteSampson-qu7qb]

Another great one, Ed! I sure wish I had discovered you when you started up. I'm just skipping through at random and leaving my perspective on occassion. I'm a private pilot, scale modeler and 55 year student of aviation and I can sometimes add to the discussion. Or kick a bees' nest! Just for fun. All kidding aside, I'm in the process of cataloging my room full of books and I'm offering free access to people like yourself. Just reply and I'll get you an index when I'm done compiling. I'm not trying to sell them or give them away but, if a title stands out, I could easily send some info your way. I even have some files of technical drawings and specs from both world wars if you want to build a Gnome rotary and a Fokker D.VIII to stick it in. Cheers!

[@jimpike8339]

A mate of mine's dad was a mechanic with one of the Wellesley squadrons in the Middle East. He told me that some of the Italian aircraft were fitted with Bristol engines and prior to the war breaking out they'd fly them to the RAF field for servicing so both sides got to become quite good friends swapping nights in messes etc. On the first raid on the Italian airfield it was thought not cricket to blow up chaps they knew, so they came in at low level and targeted parked aircraft and the runway itself rather than buildings to minimise loss of life.

[@bernie2843]

I can understand that. I have worked with Italians and they are great guys and great fun to be with.

[@tomsmith2209]

Very interesting. I'd never heard of the Vickers Wellesley and its connection to the Enigma codes. Every day is a school day. Thanks.

[@maj0072]

Same here.

[@kek7320]

Yep me too

[@steven.ghodgson765]

Same here ! I cannot remember ever seeing a pic of this plane . Interesting story, thanks

[@larsrons7937]

We actually did learn about that in school (not every day though - just once I guess)

[@lookythat2]

The Wellesleys (and the East African campaign) definitely deserve to be remembered. The strategic importance of the East African campaign can hardly be overstated, IMO. Also, the raw courage it took to fly and fight these rather cumbersome, underpowered aircraft needs to be recognized. Good on you. Great video.

[@g.mantua1195]

The Nigerian brigades were fantastic.

[@davidray6962]

I do wish you had mentioned that the record-setting long distance flight from Egypt to Australia is still the distance record for a single engine aircraft, and will remain so as safety regulations forbid single engine aircraft to undertake such journeys now.

[@jackroutledge352]

Not any more! Though it is still probably the longest single piston engined flight, Steve Fosset broke that record in 2005 with the global flyer.

[@carlorrman8769]

Didn't know that, cheers mate.

[@simoncullum5019]

@@jackroutledge352 wasn't that a turbofan ?

[@Paladin1873]

@@simoncullum5019 Yes.

[@hazchemel]

Hahahaha

[@BokoDisraeli]

Barnes Wallis was one of the last great gentleman inventors. Basically mastered everything he turned his mind to.

[@rogerrabbit80]

He also designed the Vickers Wellington, which did good work with RAF Coastal Command.

[@rosmeartoo]

He was interviewed by the BBC in about 1966 or 7 in which he claimed he could design an aircraft that could fly from the UK to Australia in 1 3/4 hours ! (I might still have a tape recording of that interview - if I remember well, it was with David Frost. However, if I find the tape I will then have to find a reel to reel tape recorder to play it)

[@Sacto1654]

Barnes Wallis, along with Sydney Camm, both deserve plaudits with their innovative work in airplane design.

[@DrzBa]

@@rosmeartoo Suborbital flight. He was talking about suborbital flights. When the Space Shuttle went up from Cape Canaveral in Florida, they had a sub orbital escape route in case of critical failures (again...) before they reached orbit - in effect they would have been landing in Northern Spain about 15 to 20 minutes later. A Sub orbital flight could easily get from London to Australia in less than 2 hours. Shame we never pursued these for commercial use.

[@jabonorte]

Interesting summary of an interesting aircraft. People are so busy playing Top Trumps with WW2 weapons that they forget that the main thing about global war is using what you have appropriately and effectively. Lots of 1930s aircraft gave good service in strategically important theatres, flown intelligently by brave crews and making a difference to the outcome of the war.

[@dcanmore]

Remember having a Matchbox 1/72 kit of this. I love these pre-war oddballs that made it into the early part of WW2. Should note that the Wellesleys were supported by 84 Vickers Vincent biplane bombers (Wellesleys were meant to replace them) in the East African campaign which also doubled as submarine hunters based in Aden. The Vildebeest was the torpedo carrying variant on the Vincent. Bristol Bombay is another unsung hero of the War which started out as a bomber (North and East Africa campaigns) but became a vital transport in the Siege of Tobruk and Invasion of Sicily.

[@vincentlefebvre9255]

Me too I built it. Matchbox did offer a nice range of planes of the thirties. I just loved and still love building these kits !

[@KnowYoutheDukeofArgyll1841]

I've got that kit. Still boxed up. Always pondered on making it, but never seem to be as motivated these days.

[@sayeager5559]

Your videos are superb. I love these semi forgotten and obscure aircraft. Thank you.

[@EdNashsMilitaryMatters]

More than welcome. Glad you enjoy my content.

[@HarborLockRoad]

Always loved this aircraft....if you can make a balsa/ paper model, youll see how well- and long- it can fly! With such a wingspan, fairly light weight, and long fuselage giving the tail great stability, its become one of my favorites to fly as a glider indoors....absolutely no difficulty crossing a room, and landing on its wheels nearly every time. I think if it had been developed as a high altitude long distance reconnaissance aircraft, it would have been the U-2 of its day.

[@krjames5880]

Actually it sounded like an excellent anti-sub machine for the Atlantic.

[@robertdodd2087]

Must admit, my thoughts exactly. Harris would not release bombers for Coastal Command, this aircraft could have been available. No fighters over the Atlantic. It could have bridged the Atlantic gap and provided cover and U boat information.

[@taffwob]

@@krjames5880 Some were re-roled to anti-submarine patrols in 1942.

[@AyebeeMk2]

Those long distance trials were not just for a "Jolly Good Show"....

[@Colin454]

Another connection between Barnes Wallis's geodetic bombers the Vickers Wellesley and the Vickers Wellington - Arthur Wellesley was the 1st Duke of Wellington (of Waterloo fame).

[@MM22966]

Like half of all pre-war/early war aircraft, it looks like a thing Miyazaki would love.

[@masteronone2079]

There could be a reason for this Katsuji Miyazaki, was involved in manufacturing aircraft in the interwar period and his company produced parts for the Zero. Must have rubbed of on his son Hayao.

[@ravenof1985]

the Fairey Gannet also fits the aesthetic nicely

[@DraftySatyr]

@@ravenof1985 Fairey Gannett and aesthetic aren't words that fit together easily

[@williamchamberlain2263]

@@DraftySatyr the Gannett looks like _nothing_ fits together easily.

[@lancerevell5979]

@@masteronone2079 I love Miyazaki's manga and anime, his love of "tweenwars" aircraft is obvious. Porco Rosso is my alltime favorite Anime. Beautifully done aircraft.

[@Gorbyrev]

Fascinating. Enjoyed making the Matchbox model as a kid.

[@NQR-9000]

Indeed, It's nice to know the story of one of my favorites in the Matchbox range back in the 80's (along with the Canberra PR.9)!

[@mikepette4422]

OMG you too

[@jonathansteadman7935]

Ditto 👍

[@rogerexwood6608]

Ed, that’s probably the best in the whole series in terms of impact. Not just an obscure aircraft that manages to be interesting in a niche kind of way, but one that is utterly obscure but genuinely made a significant difference to history.

[@robinfryer479]

The 72’ wingspan combined with its rather short fuselage, transpired to be its undoing. It could NOT recover from a spin. This unpleasant fact was unintentionally discovered by Geoffrey Quill, when he worked for Vickers as a test pilot, and was obliged to bail out of one…

[@johnholt9399]

Like it’s child the Wellington the Wellesley was hardy, reliable even in extreme conditions, and underrated.

[@givenfirstnamefamilyfirstn3935]

It did not have children, it was s machine.

[@clydedopheide1033]

This was incredibly informative and interesting. I didn't know any of this bit of WWII history. Thanks Ed. Keep up the great work!

[@mehetable]

You have to remember that in 1937, the Douglas TBD Devastator entered service with the U. S. Navy. It was considered the one of the most advanced single engined bombers in the world. However, if you compare the specifications, the Wellesley had better speed, range and bomb load. I know it’s kind of apples to oranges, but it gives an indication of how advanced the Wellesley was for the time.

[@scullystie4389]

Apples to oranges indeed, the Wellesley didn't have to fly off carrier decks and deal with all the compromises that entails, it was overall a much larger aircraft as well. Had a longer wingspan than a B-25 Mitchell.

[@rayjames6096]

They grasp for straws and are always comparing themselves with the US.

[@guaporeturns9472]

@@rayjames6096they?

[@timphillips9954]

@@rayjames6096 Name one decent US bomber of WW2, even the Mustang was built to a British specification and used a UK power plant. Lets be honest here US tech in WW2 was crap. When I grew up in the 1970 if something did not work very well it was called US.

[@johnbrobston1334]

@@timphillips9954 Are you saying that the B-29 was not a "decent bomber"?

[@ianbell5611]

Thank You for researching and posting this video. I hadnt heard the wellesly

[@LessAiredvanU]

I think the Wellington would be a bomber most people would know before the Hampden or even Short Stirling. The Blenheim might also get a mention, too, as well as the Fairy Battle. If you can name more than the Lanc and the Mossie, there might be quite a few you could mention before the Hampden. Yes, the Wellesley is too little known since it did not fit from airfields in the British Isles operationally.

[@MisterOcclusion]

The Whitley tends to get overlooked as well.

[@volters9561]

Bristol Bombay

[@proud_emmerian6510]

The Vickers Vildebeest gets overlooked quite often.

[@craigs71]

@@proud_emmerian6510 maybe because it was truly a sight to behold, it really was one ugly bird.

[@benholroyd5221]

What about the other northern town bomber? The Manchester Or the Swordfish?

[@athelwulfgalland]

Another spectacular addition to this series; An often forgotten example of a WW2 military aircraft that still held a significant place in history! I adore this series! Well done, Ed!

[@henryturnerjr3857]

Thanks for this video! I've always felt the air battles in Africa have been left out of a lot of history. Most air battle history's focus on the BF-109 vs Spitfire battles. Though the battles in North Africa were just as fierce!

[@JohnyG29]

East Africa*

[@ianpunter4486]

Slightly off-topic. Not only "heard of" Barnes Wallis", but as an RAF air cadet, got to meet him in his lab/office at Vickers In Brooklands Weybridge, in maybe 1960/1, I guess. He showed us a model that looked exactly like the later shuttle. Using the curvature of the earth and stratospheric altitudes, this would reach Australia in a few hour. We were 16 year-olds and probably didn't appreciate much of the significance of what a privilege that visit was. He then took us down to see VC10s being constructed.

[@EdNashsMilitaryMatters]

Nice!

[@russchadwell]

I'd imagine, only if egos didn't show up, that a long documentary series, created and narrated by both you and Mark Felton would be absolutely recieved by international fervor.

[@marcaskew61]

Fascinating story and great pics. Thankyou.

[@geoffreygardiner9564]

The engine was fitted with the Townend Ring, which increased the effectiveness of the engine by 50 per cent. Barnes Wallis, the designer won the silver medal of the Royal Aero Soc, Townend was the next winner, and Sir Henry Royce, the next.

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Excellent video and pictures 😃👍👀.....Thanks Ed Nash....From 🇺🇸

[@frankholden237]

Another task carried out by Wellesleys was ferrying fighter pilots across Africa. Terence Kelly recounts in his excellent book 'Hurricanes over the Jungle' how the 22 pilots of 258 squadron found themselves without aircraft in West Africa in November 1941. They were then ferried across Africa to Port Sudan in Wellesleys. Once there they embarked on HMS Indomitable with new Hurricanes and ended up in Singapore but that is a whole new story.

[@johndell3642]

Excellent bit of information! - Thanks for giving the source! It was 117 Squadron who used Wellesleys on the route across Africa. I knew they had carried mail and important spare parts, but never knew they carried so many passengers!

[@joesangeto4881]

Hi Frank, In my copy of "Hurricanes over the Jungle" (I've got the Pen and Sword 2005 edition) it says the pilots were ferried across Africa as far as Khartoum in a DC3 airliner. It was only Terence Kelly and two other pilots who were then flown ahead from Khartoum to Port Sudan in a Wellesley. Most amazingly, Kelly says it was one of the original record-breaking Wellesleys piloted by one of the record breaking pilots!

[@frankholden237]

@@joesangeto4881 Oops, my bad. It is some years since I read my copy, Senior moment. I found just about everything in the book amazing.

[@gryfandjane]

Thanks for another fascinating episode. I started my career as a draftsman for an aerospace contractor, and every time I see one of these Barnes Wallis airframes I cringe at the thought of depicting all those structural bits with their compound curves and weird angles. My hat’s off to the boys in the Drawing Office!

[@terryjacob8169]

I remember my old Dad telling me that when he fought, with the British Army, against the Italians in Eritrea, in 1940, their principle air support was provided by RAF Vickers Wellesleys. He also added that they often attracted 'friendly fire' as, from the ground, their shape looked not dissimilar to Italian 3-engine bombers such as the Savoia-Marchetti S.M. 81.

[@ja37d-34]

Always wanted the matchbox model, it looked so cool..

[@skylongskylong1982]

Came in three moulded colours if I remember rightly

[@ja37d-34]

@@skylongskylong1982 No idea if it was two or three colour variant. :)

[@stevebosworth5462]

Thanks Ed. Another excellent video of one of the more obscure military aircraft. "Forgotten Bombers Of The Royal Air Force" by Ken Wixey is a good read, if you like this topic. I've built a few Matchbox model kits of the Wellesley down the years. I have fond memories of Matchbox kits, although some modellers look down therir noses at them. Matchbox introduced me to types that I'd never heard of back in the 1970s : Heyford, Stranraer, Siskin and Seafox etc. As far as I can recall, the Matchbox kits were much easier to build than the Airfix models of that era.

[@JamesLaserpimpWalsh]

They were snap fit rather than glue as I seem to recall. At least some of the mathbox ones were weren't they. God it was so long ago. heh

[@geoffreyfarrance9885]

The Wellesley also had another recod, that seems to be forgotten, It was fitted out with a temporary oxegen system and achieved a height record for a piston engine.

[@davidk2906]

I pray that some day someone will discover a Vickers Wellesley in fine condition to restore for museum display. What an interesting aircraft. Thanks for doing a video on it Ed.

[@yes_head]

One of your best videos yet, Ed. Thanks. 11:55 Against Gondor in Ethiopia? Damn those Haradrim! ;-)

[@unclenogbad1509]

Once again, only vaguely heard about it, thought it was just some in-between development model, didn't know it's importance. Put right on all of those matters, and very glad to have been so. Thanks for your excellent videos, keep 'em coming.

[@KyrreXXL]

Have watched a lot of your episodes, but I think this is the best so far, both because of the history of this aircraft, but perhaps even more because of the additional history that I didnt know, and how they connected. I learned a lot in less than 14 minutes.

[@palco22]

As all British aircraft this is another Ugly piece of machinery but as described by this wonderful video, the Wellesley despite it's short comings proved its self as a capable bomber and it also gave way for the Wellington. In the thirties, innovations in aircraft development was at a feverish rate. The Wellesley played its part well ! Thanks

[@owenshebbeare2999]

Your name is French, so I'll go with that, and you criticise British aircraft aesthetics? Seriousy mate, consider your froggy Farmans, and so many other French efforts from the 1930's!

[@palco22]

@@owenshebbeare2999 I would presume some have lost all contact with what feels like a bygone era of civil discourse. Very sad.

[@aaronlopez3585]

Another great find Ed, thank you for sharing and have a very merry Christmas.

[@EdNashsMilitaryMatters]

Thanks, you too :D

[@KrisRamJ]

Awesome video, I had no idea the dear old Wellesley had struck such a decisive blow against the Italians. I built a Matchbox model of the Wellesley when I was a kid, such a weird looking machine next to the sleek Spitfires and other WW2 types.

[@GroundHOG-2010]

Something to note: The R100 (the airship Barnes Wallis worked on) was a Vickers Armstrong project. The R100 and R101 story, the competition between the government and the private industry, is very interesting. Nevil Shute, the aeronautical engineer and novelist, talks about it in his autobiography Slide Rule. According to him, the R100 team thought their airship was a bad one, but did not know how bad the R101 was. Love the content BTW!

[@laszlokaestner5766]

VA did the R100 on a shoestring and there are some hilarious descriptions from Shute regarding their workforce. They knew that the R101 was compromised in that by choosing diesel engines the R101 had increased the weight significantly whereas the R100 used petrol which was more powerful but rather more dangerous as a fuel. The R101 was government backed and had lavish amounts spent on it to prove that government controlled industry was "better" than private enterprise. This forced competition was arguably the downfall of R101. Problems became apparent with it and the Ministry tried to get both inaugural flights postponed. VA said the R100 was capable of achieving its scheduled flight to Canada which duly went ahead (not without incident!). This forced the government team to attempt to fly the R101s scheduled flight to India in order to save face but she wasn't up to it and sadly crashed.

[@7thsealord888]

@@laszlokaestner5766 From all I've read, the R101 was a disaster from start to finish. We've all heard the old joke about how a camel is a horse designed by a committee? On that basis, R101 was an elephant - a mouse built to government specifications. Bureaucratic interference at its very worst.

[@markpedwell1250]

The brave men who flew these obsolete aircraft to good effect against all odds were real Heroes of the first order.

[@timphillips9954]

Hardly obsolete 1n 1939

[@rogerexwood6608]

@@timphillips9954 OK, obsolescent

[@ronjon7942]

6:45 It’s always hard for me to wrap my head around how young these boys who flew and fought were. Just kids! I take a lot for granted, especially my freedom, that these youngsters sacrificed for.

[@drew65sep]

I've seen pictures, and knew it existed. But, this is the first film or video. Very interesting...thanks to whoever created this.

[@glhx2112]

Sweet ! I've always been fascinated by this aircraft and finding information about it online is not that easy. Thanks for covering it ! (Runs off to look at vintage 1/72 Matchbox Wellesley kit lovingly placed in model stash).

[@stuartdandybenchillboy]

Excellent, as usual. Thank you

[@jackx4311]

As always, Ed, a very well thought out and produced video on an aircraft most of us know very little about - and certainly not about its crucial contribution in East Africa. Many thanks!

[@bigblue6917]

At 3:42 there is a group of figures in the bottom right corner. I believe the figure on the left raising his right hand in greeting to the man with his back to us is Edward, Prince of Wales. Interestingly, many of the people in the photograph are wearing black arm bands which would indicate they are in mourning. So I do wonder if this was taken in January 1936 after George V had died. Which would make Edward King Edward VIII. First time I saw the Wellesley I was very much put in mind of a flying cloths peg. One which hung the Italian out to dry.

[@DraftySatyr]

Now that you point him out, I would agree that the person is Edward Windsor, or someone who looks very much like him. But if, as you say, the black armband is in honour of his father King George V who died on 20 Jan 36, then he would have already acceded to the throne as King Edward VIII.

[@24934637]

Ah, it all makes sense now. Knowing that Barnes Wallace used to be an airship designer, makes the whole geodetic construction concept such an obvious direction for him to move in!

[@abbeyhall4624]

One of the many unsung mechanical heroes of WW2. A lovely informative video. Thank you very much for this.

[@jroch41]

Another excellent history lesson from Ed Nash. Hats off, sir.

[@iantobanter9543]

Fascinating. Thanks for your work- it’s inspired me to dig the old Matchbox model out of my stash.

[@runlarryrun77]

Vickers "How long are the wings on this going to be Barnes?" Barnes Wallis "Yes."

[@mikepette4422]

the only comment we need for this video

[@colbeausabre8842]

The wings are described as having a "high aspect ratio" -perfect for long distance. See the Davis wing on the B-24, U-2 and RB-57

[@TurbosTantrums]

A very odd place to see the type namechecked, but 1960s folk singer "The Singing Postman", best known for his "'Ave you got a loight boy"?, in his song on the frustrations of recording in a studio under the Wattisham flightpath says, on the subject of the BAe Lightnings ruining his recording sessions: "We all know they'll be obsolete, if there's another war We all know they'll be obsolete, like the Wellesleys was before" kzbin.info/www/bejne/mou8nKabZt1gr9U (relevant bit at 2:10 if you're not in the mood for Norfolk dialect whimsy)

[@leehorsfall8257]

I always enjoy your channel. Some extraordinary aircraft but this particular unknown aircraft contributed so much to the war effort. I've never heard of it or its importance. A fantastic video Ed.

[@333ivan333]

Quite pleased you chose this aircraft to present. Fascinating video, thank you.

[@KevinRudd-w8s]

I think the most famous RAF bombers of WW2 would be the Lancaster, Wellington and Mosquito. For most of my sixty eight years I have lived near the Vickers factory that built a large number of Wellingtons ( some people say that the factory was actually built for this purpose but I'm not sure if that is correct ) It is owned by Airbus UK these days. I had heard about the Wellesley from my late father who had served in world war two although he didn't have anything to do with them ( he flew in Venturas and Lancasters mostly, depending which squadron he was in ). Used to their best advantage some of Britains older aircraft such as the Swordfish, Gladiator and Wellesley actually did some serious damage to the enemy. Thank you for this very interesting video.

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

👍Thank you. Another great and interesting video. Really appreciate that you feature some of the more unusual aircraft types.

[@davidgowing2121]

Fascinating stuff. I enjoyed every minute of that. I remember seeing a small model of this aircraft in a local air museum many years ago with no info about it and me being intrigued by its design...Great stuff...Tons of amazing things on your channel..Subscribed...

[@wbertie2604]

One of the odd things about the Wellesley is that Wallis wasn't sure he could punch a hole in the structure to put in a bombay, so the bombs are in panniers below the wings. It limited the size of bombs that could be carried. It was sometimes used to transport wounded, but I am not sure if they put them in the fuselage or the stretchers into the bomb panniers. I'd tape off the bomb release mechanism if they were in there, just to be on the safe side. Obviously, the bomb bay issue was sorted out for the Wellington.

[@bodleyfludes7958]

Iz my leer not Iz mar lia. But such a complete exposition of the aircraft overall I was almost reluctant to mention this small thing. Good piece of research of an outstanding and innovative aircraft when it entered service.

[@trooperdgb9722]

Outstanding! I had seen pictures of this aircraft...but had no idea it remained operational in WW2...

[@DavidBrown-cp2vm]

Love your brilliant videos. As an amateur aviation & history fan I really enjoy your trips down the cul-de-sacs of aviation development and lesser known World War 2 debacles. Thought the Caudron-Renault light-weight fighter story to be a good example to modern design students in any field. Tempus fugit etc.

[@blxtothis]

As a usual, educational, interesting and unhysterical presentation of facts, bravo!

[@leroyabernathy9934]

I was always fascinated by this design of one of the better looking British aircraft of that era. After all, look at the Vickers Vildebeest, Westland Wapiti and Fairey Sea Slug. I knew about the Wellesley's record setting distance flights, but I never heard of its extensive combat record until now. I was always under the impression the Wellesley was replaced in active service before it had the chance to serve in any meaningful combat role. I had no idea of the extent of its combat service until watching this video. I always knew the internet would be good for something. Maybe I'll go build that 1/72 Airfix model of the Wellesley that has been sitting on the shelf for so long. Leave it to Airfix to produce the only plastic model ever made of this relatively obscure aircraft and leave it to e-Bay to find a copy of the kit that is as obscure as its real-life counterpart.

[@janhaanstra2245]

Well, Matchbox also produced a 1:72 model. There's one waiting in a stack of models to build in my attic😉. Very interesting / weird plane and a nice video😃

[@xcrockery8080]

Far out - A single hop for Ismailia to Darwin in 1938! That's amazing!

[@Glen694u]

Fascinating history of this plane. To be quite honest I had not even heard of it and I thought I knew a reasonable amount about WW2 aircraft .... LOL !! The Wellington was the main one I knew that Barnes Wallis designed (I thought). The Wellesley though arguably played an incredibly important role in the middle east I know now. My dad was stationed at Ismailia (Abyad) after the war just before the main Suez crisis when again the canal usage came under threat. He saw the test flight arrivals of the Comet at Abyad. Came across a photo of a Comet that landed there a few days ago when I was going through old photos to find some for his eulogy. He died three weeks ago.

[@garygriffiths2911]

I must say that every time I get a notification that this channel has published a new video my first order of business is to stop what I'm doing and watch it. Thank you Ed - I literally can't get enough of this stuff!

[@nairbvel]

I vaguely remember hearing about the Wellesley, but don't recall actually seeing photos of one before. It looks like someone took two planes, cut one in half, then lopped the nose off the 2nd and glued it to the front half of the 1st plane. It's amazing how much of an effect this aircraft actually had despite its obscurity -- thanks for the video!

[@g2macs]

not as forgotten as you may think, like most kids brought up in the seventies a lot of us will recognize it due to the matchbox model kit.

[@alaingadbois2276]

I have it and always thought the Wellesley was an interesting aircraft!

[@hmfc2005]

Aye, had that and was obsessed with it!

[@raybede]

Thank you very much for this hugely informative vid. I must admit to not having heard of the Wellesley. I will remember them now.

[@brianjones2899]

Brilliant video. Incredible details not shared elsewhere.

[@protem9424]

Thank you for this brilliant insight into an aircraft that really hasn’t featured in popular historical reports. Very informative and well presented.

[@anselmdanker9519]

Thank you for covering the Vickers Wellesley, only ever saw some photos of them .

[@agdgdgwngo]

Awesome. Been waiting for a video like this on the Wellesley for ages, this is brilliant. Such an interesting aircraft

[@mark_delfino]

Thanks, an unlikely warrior but nevertheless one which contributed. Glad to hear you will get around to the flying suitcase, one of my teachers flew one in the war which does kind of date me🙄

[@wideyxyz2271]

They did some great work on Rhubarb raids across the channel which are often overlooked!

[@oldbloke204]

Great video. The first model I built as a kid was the Hampden and I have a soft spot for them to this day. Looking forward to that video. Thanks

[@garygenerous8982]

Every time I see one of your videos I always jump on it because either it will be about some plane I’d never heard of or about the exploits I’d never heard of of planes I did know (or both) and I love it. Thank you so very much for all your hard work!

[@patrickyoung9599]

Wonderful video! Now I'm off to find a book about the campaign in East Africa.

[@Locomattive8572]

Brilliant video, thank you. This is quickly becoming one of my favourite channels.

[@kendrickpi]

Very interesting. Thank you for presenting this part of history.

[@RobinRhyne]

Thank you sir. I'd never heard of this aircraft. What a service history! Things certainly changed quickly in those days

[@JosipRadnik1]

marvellous - next the Gloster Gauntlet, the Hawker Audax and the Vickers Vildebeest 🙂

[@alun7006]

I LOVE the Wellesley. Such a unique (and IMO great-) looking aircraft, particularly the LRDU machines with the long cowling.

[@JosephNordenbrockartistraction]

This is one of your better videos. VERY well done.

[@cs7th]

Another fascinating video about an aircraft I had never heard of. Thank you Ed for all your hard work :-)

[@tysonator5433]

Great video Ed, I did not know how important role this plane played in the ear !

[@robbierobinson8819]

Great episode! I knew of the Wellesley, but nothing at all about its having been in any way significant in the war. Thank you for filling in this gap in my knowledge. Excellent research at getting all the pictures, especially of aircraft with the added defensive guns.

[@marioacevedo5077]

What a great story. Can't wait for more videos about other obscure, yet important aircraft.

[@DraftySatyr]

Another great video which I thoroughly enjoyed. Kudos also for crediting your sources.

[@noonsight2010]

An interesting documentary. Thank you.

[@guidor.4161]

Always loved the Wellesley!

[@roo72]

Italian base at MISAWA?! Are yiu quite sure Ed?

[@tonysutton6559]

XThank you for this. I'd never even heard of the plane and knew very little about this campaign. Yes more avenues to explore.

[@stephenbesley3177]

Always wanted to build a model Wellesley. Britain had a lot of kit that will have been dated compared the German gear but was more than capable in the quieter parts of the Empire indeed, even against the Italians and Japanese.

[@anthonypetty9288]

A fascinating look at an aircraft I knew little about, and it's importance in WW2. Many thanks for this.

[@stevenmartin6473]

Brilliant little piece of history

[@kentstray1]

Fantastic video. I don't often comment on videos but this was so good that I had to make an exception.

[@rickb1973]

That strike that Ed mentioned on the Italian fuel reserves in East Africa was a fine little strategic chess move, don't you think? Italy declares war on Britain...Britain holds Suez....British bombers burn up all the Italian fuel south of Suez....Nice one.

[@andrewrobinson2565]

My late father did his National Service 1946-8 in the Royal Signals at Fayid camp (RAF station near Ismailiya) and I passed by the front gate in 1982 while studying Arabic at Alexandria University. There were NO ROADS in 1985 in Northern Sudan when I did a tourism survey. Tanks on roads must have been somewhere else. Great video 👍.