VICKERS VALETTA 100 YEARS OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE
PATROLLERS AND AIRLIFTERS RAF CENTENARY CELEBRATION 55The military version differed from
the airliner in a number of ways,
most notably the introduction
of more powerful 1,976hp
(1,474kW) versions of the Bristol
Hercules engines – instead of
those fitted to the Viking. It also
had a strengthened floor, stronger
undercarriage and a large cargo door,
but was outwardly identical to its
civilian cousin.
The prototype Valetta (VL249)
performed its maiden flight on June
30, 1947 with legendary test pilot
‘Mutt’ Summers at the helm. The
aircraft handled as expected and
the first of 251 production versions
followed it into the skies on January
28 the following year.
Initial examples delivered to the
RAF were Valetta C Mk.1 variants,
configured for troop carrying,
freight hauling, glider towing,
supply dropping and air ambulance
duties. Later production versions
included the C Mk.2, which was
a dedicated passenger transport
capable of carrying between nine
and 15 people. This model also
benefited from extra fuel capacity.
“Although the type’s ‘active’ service was limited, examples
from 48, 52 and 110 Squadrons in Malaya dropped more than 2,000
tonnes of supplies to troops fi ghting terrorists in the jungle.”
undercarriage and a large cargo door,
performed its maiden flight on June
followed it into the skies on January
Although the type’s ‘active’
service was limited, examples from
48, 52 and 110 Squadrons in
Malaya dropped more than 2,000
tonnes of supplies to troops fighting
terrorists in the jungle. The aircraft
were also involved in propaganda
leaflet dropping to encourage
enemy surrender.
The third version of the Valetta
employed by the RAF was the T.3
‘flying classroom’, used to train
navigators and forming the basis for
the later tricycle-geared
Vickers Varsity.
Production of Valettas continued
until 1951, by which time 190 C
Mk.1s, 21 C Mk.2s and 40 T Mk.3s
had been rolled out. Sixteen of the
latter were eventually converted to
T Mk.4 standard for pilot training
with 228 OCU.
The final Valetta transports were
those of 84 Squadron in Aden,
which were replaced by Blackburn
Beverleys in 1960.SERVICE CAREER
The first Valettas were introduced
into operational service with 204
Squadron at Kabrit, Egypt in
May 1949. The aircraft would
eventually replace nine squadrons
of Dakotas with Transport
Command, as well as Middle and
Far East Air Forces.Top
Valetta VX546 in the
markings of Far East
Air Force in 1954. The
aircraft was retired in
1958 and relegated to
ground instructional
use.
ANDY HAY/WWW.
FLYINGART.CO.UKAbove
The prototype Valetta,
VL249, aloft on an
early test fl ight.Left
Valetta VW803 is
loaded prior to its
next sortie while
in service with 30
Squadron.