Lesser Known RAF Aircraft (WWII) Quiz

Answer: Westland Whirlwind

The Westland Whirlwind first entered service with the RAF in 1940. Although fast and heavily armed, with four 20mm cannon, it suffered lack of power at high altitudes and was better suited to the ground attack role. However, it was surplanted by much better aircraft such as the De Havilland Mosquito and Hawker Typhoon in this role.

Answer: De Havilland Flamingo

The De Havilland Flamingo was initially built as a rival to the Douglas DC-3 and Lockheed Model 10 Electra, but the outbreak of war saw production halted after only a few aircraft were made. Some of these aircraft did, however, see service with the RAF along with a variant called the Hertfordshire built for dropping paratroopers, although only one of the latter was built.

Answer: Percival Proctor

The Percival Proctor served the airforces of a number of other countries as well as being produced for the civilian market. Originally built as a three seater aircraft later variants had four seats.

Answer: Avro Anson

Although the Avro Anson failed in the initial role it was designed for because it was outclassed by more mordern aircraft, it proved of more value to the RAF as a multi engined trainer for a wide variety of purposes, from training crews in gunnery, navigation, wireless and even bomb aiming.

Answer: Vickers Warwick

Early variants of the Warwick suffered from various engine problems that made it under powered, and only a handful saw service in it's intended role as a bomber. Many were converted to providing air sea rescue to assist downed bomber crews, carrying a lifeboat fitted with engines and supplies to keep the crews alive until the could either be picked up or reach the UK. Also the Warwick was produced as an anti submarine reconnaissance and as a transport aircraft for RAF Transport Command

Answer: Vultee Vengeance

By the time the RAF received the Vultee Vengeance opinion on dive bombers had changed due to thier vunerablility against attacks from fighters. As a result, the Vengeance was transfered to Burma, where it was used to attack Japanese in close support of Commonwealth troops on the ground. Towards the end of the war, the Vengeance was phased out of service and converted to a target tug.

Answer: Supermarine Walrus

The Supermarine Walrus was a pre war design that was launched by catapult from large Royal Navy warships for reconnaissance until phased out due to improvements in RADAR. It served the RAF in an air sea rescue role, picking up downed airmen.

Answer: Westland Lysander

Although intended for use as a spotter aircraft and light bomber, the Westland Lysander proved much more valuable to the Special Operations Executive (S.O.E) due to its short take off and landing capabilities, making it ideal to land in fields in occupied countries during World War II.

They were painted black so they could operate at night. Other Lysanders saw limited service in the air-sea rescue role, dropping dinghies to aircrew downed in the English Channel.

Answer: Gloster Gladiator

The Gloster Gladiator was already outdated when introduced, although two squadrons saw service in France at the outbreak of war. The Finnish, Chinese, and Norwegian airforces also operated Gladiators, but the RAF relegated the Gladiator to more remote overseas actions.

Despite its limitations, South African ace Marmaduke "Pat" Pattle managed to shoot down 15 aircraft whlst using a Gladiator during the campaigns in North Africa and Greece.

Answer: Airspeed Oxford

The Airspeed Oxford was designed from the start as a multi-engined bomber crew trainer, based around the Airspeed Envoy passenger aircraft. It was whilst flying an Airspeed Oxford that world famous aviatrix, Amy Johnson vanished after getting lost in fog whilts flying over the Thames estuary.