WELLINGTON


THE MAKING OF THE


A Wellington under construction where the rear gun turret is clearly visible. The heavily defended bomber was still vulnerable to attack from the side by German fighter aircraft.


I


Bristol Pegasus MkVIII engines were chosen for the Wellington as they offered a better rate of climb, speed and higher operating ceiling than the Rolls-Royce Goshawk engine that was also considered.


20 BROOKLANDS BULLETIN | JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2020


t is 80 years since the crucial Battle of Heligoland Bight of 18 December, 1939. The Wellington bomber played a key role in this first named air battle


of the Second World War. This aircraft was built at Brooklands and the Museum’s own Wellington took part in these raids. At the outbreak of war, the Wellington was the RAF’s frontline medium bomber and remained a mainstay of the fight in the skies all the way until 1945. This put Brooklands at the forefront of the war effort as the Wellington was built by Vickers and as many aircraft were needed as it was possible to build.


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