The Armstrong Whitworth Whitley was a British spine-wing heavy bomber with retractable landing gear during World War II. The basic version was powered by two Rolls Royce Merlin X engines, each producing 1,075 hp. The prototype flew in 1936. During series production, which lasted from 1936 to 1943, approximately 1,800 of these aircraft were produced. The Mk. I version carried two 7.7 mm machine guns and a bomb load of up to 1,514 kg.

The Armstrong Whitworth Whitley was developed as part of the RAF's requirements for a new heavy night bomber. When designing the new aircraft, Armstrong Whitworth relied on a transport aircraft of its own production, designated the AW23, and prototypes of the AW30 bomber. In 1936, the results of the company's work were approved by the British Air Force, and the new bomber entered mass production, quickly becoming a complement to the Vickers Wellington bomber. During this period, several development versions of the Armstrong Whitworth Whitley were created. One of the first was the Whitley Mk. II, which was powered by new, more powerful engines. Shortly after, the Whitley Mk. III, which had significantly improved protective armament, was introduced. The Whitley Mk. V, in which the shape of the vertical stabilizer was changed and the fuselage was lengthened.
The specialized radar-equipped version intended for maritime patrols was the Whitley GR Mk. VII. Whitley bombers from 1939 to 1942 actively participated in the strategic bombing of Germany, but from 1942 onwards they were gradually shifted to training and transport duties. Coastal defense aircraft remained in service until 1943. The final withdrawal of this type of aircraft took place in 1945.

 

AIRFIX - 1/72 - ARMSTRONG WHITWORTH WHITLEY MK.V A08016 is categorised DIE-CAST AND SCALE MODELS / MODEL KITS / AIRPLANES and sold by l'Imaginaire, a store and specialised website.