CFS1 Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Mk. I
The Whitley was the first modern heavy bomber for the RAF, preceding the Hampden and the Wellington. The Whitley was known by her crews as the "Flying Barn Door" because of the slab shape of the wings. An unusual feature of the Whitley was the appearance of the aircraft always seemed to be flying downhill, this was due to the 81/2° angle of incidence given to the wing to ease the landing and take-off phase of the flight. This was done at the period when flaps were cutting edge technology but ironically the Whitley was also fitted with flaps. The original Whitleys (Marks 1, 2, & 3) were fitted with two Armstrong Siddely Tiger 14 cylinder radial engines until the mk4 (Mk. IV) when Rolls Royce Merlins were fitted. The Whitley served with Bomber Command until 1942 but from 1939 aircraft were loaned to Coastal Command for convoy escort and anti-submarine duties.
