EDIT - U-559 was taken in the Eastern Med, not the Red Sea

@wolfshanze5980

2 жыл бұрын

2nd Edit... the U-559 was spotted by a Royal Air Force Sunderland, not a Wellesley? (I've actually seen references to both aircraft... so... not sure, but i've seen a few sites say it was a Sunderland).

@roo72

7 ай бұрын

Italian base at MISAWA?! Are you quite sure about this name?

@johndell3642

Ай бұрын

@@wolfshanze5980 In a way, both are true - At the time Sunderlands, Wellingtons and Wellesleys would sometimes cooperate in a "Hunter-Killer" mode. The Sunderland and Wellington had longer endurance and a long-range ASV radar to detect surfaced submarines at night - but at that stage, the Sunderlands and Wellingtons in the Med did not have centimetric radar and Leigh Lights to conduct attacks in the dark. They would call up Wellesleys to investigate possible targets at first light. That's what happened to the U-559, the Sunderland detected it on radar and called up a Wellesley of 47 Squadron "Air Echelon" and two destroyers to investigate. The Wellesley saw the submarine and attacked with depth charges. These did not sink the submarine, but it then dropped a smoke-float to mark its location which the destroyers then homed in on to locate the sub with ASDIC.

@johndell3642

Ай бұрын

@@roo72 Massawa

@PeteSampson-qu7qb

12 күн бұрын

Another great one, Ed! I sure wish I had discovered you when you started up. I'm just skipping through at random and leaving my perspective on occassion. I'm a private pilot, scale modeler and 55 year student of aviation and I can sometimes add to the discussion. Or kick a bees' nest! Just for fun. All kidding aside, I'm in the process of cataloging my room full of books and I'm offering free access to people like yourself. Just reply and I'll get you an index when I'm done compiling. I'm not trying to sell them or give them away but, if a title stands out, I could easily send some info your way. I even have some files of technical drawings and specs from both world wars if you want to build a Gnome rotary and a Fokker D.VIII to stick it in. Cheers!

A mate of mine's dad was a mechanic with one of the Wellesley squadrons in the Middle East. He told me that some of the Italian aircraft were fitted with Bristol engines and prior to the war breaking out they'd fly them to the RAF field for servicing so both sides got to become quite good friends swapping nights in messes etc. On the first raid on the Italian airfield it was thought not cricket to blow up chaps they knew, so they came in at low level and targeted parked aircraft and the runway itself rather than buildings to minimise loss of life.

@bernie2843

6 ай бұрын

I can understand that. I have worked with Italians and they are great guys and great fun to be with.

Very interesting. I'd never heard of the Vickers Wellesley and its connection to the Enigma codes. Every day is a school day. Thanks.

@maj0072

2 жыл бұрын

Same here.

@kek7320

2 жыл бұрын

Yep me too

@steven.ghodgson765

2 жыл бұрын

Same here ! I cannot remember ever seeing a pic of this plane . Interesting story, thanks

@larsrons7937

2 жыл бұрын

We actually did learn about that in school (not every day though - just once I guess)

I do wish you had mentioned that the record-setting long distance flight from Egypt to Australia is still the distance record for a single engine aircraft, and will remain so as safety regulations forbid single engine aircraft to undertake such journeys now.

@jackroutledge352

2 жыл бұрын

Not any more! Though it is still probably the longest single piston engined flight, Steve Fosset broke that record in 2005 with the global flyer.

@carlorrman8769

2 жыл бұрын

Didn't know that, cheers mate.

@simoncullum5019

2 жыл бұрын

@@jackroutledge352 wasn't that a turbofan ?

@mickallen899

2 жыл бұрын

He did... Ismailia to Darwin...

@Paladin1873

2 жыл бұрын

@@simoncullum5019 Yes.

Barnes Wallis was one of the last great gentleman inventors. Basically mastered everything he turned his mind to.

@rogerrabbit80

2 жыл бұрын

He also designed the Vickers Wellington, which did good work with RAF Coastal Command.

@rosmeartoo

2 жыл бұрын

He was interviewed by the BBC in about 1966 or 7 in which he claimed he could design an aircraft that could fly from the UK to Australia in 1 3/4 hours ! (I might still have a tape recording of that interview - if I remember well, it was with David Frost. However, if I find the tape I will then have to find a reel to reel tape recorder to play it)

@Sacto1654

7 ай бұрын

Barnes Wallis, along with Sydney Camm, both deserve plaudits with their innovative work in airplane design.

Vickers "How long are the wings on this going to be Barnes?" Barnes Wallis "Yes."

@mikepette4422

2 жыл бұрын

the only comment we need for this video

@colbeausabre8842

2 жыл бұрын

The wings are described as having a "high aspect ratio" -perfect for long distance. See the Davis wing on the B-24, U-2 and RB-57

The Wellesleys (and the East African campaign) definitely deserve to be remembered. The strategic importance of the East African campaign can hardly be overstated, IMO. Also, the raw courage it took to fly and fight these rather cumbersome, underpowered aircraft needs to be recognized. Good on you. Great video.

@g.mantua1195

2 жыл бұрын

The Nigerian brigades were fantastic.

Interesting summary of an interesting aircraft. People are so busy playing Top Trumps with WW2 weapons that they forget that the main thing about global war is using what you have appropriately and effectively. Lots of 1930s aircraft gave good service in strategically important theatres, flown intelligently by brave crews and making a difference to the outcome of the war.

Like half of all pre-war/early war aircraft, it looks like a thing Miyazaki would love.

@masteronone2079

2 жыл бұрын

There could be a reason for this Katsuji Miyazaki, was involved in manufacturing aircraft in the interwar period and his company produced parts for the Zero. Must have rubbed of on his son Hayao.

@ravenof1985

2 жыл бұрын

the Fairey Gannet also fits the aesthetic nicely

@ThePhoenix198

2 жыл бұрын

@@ravenof1985 Fairey Gannett and aesthetic aren't words that fit together easily

@williamchamberlain2263

2 жыл бұрын

@@ThePhoenix198 the Gannett looks like _nothing_ fits together easily.

@lancerevell5979

Жыл бұрын

@@masteronone2079 I love Miyazaki's manga and anime, his love of "tweenwars" aircraft is obvious. Porco Rosso is my alltime favorite Anime. Beautifully done aircraft.

The 72’ wingspan combined with its rather short fuselage, transpired to be its undoing. It could NOT recover from a spin. This unpleasant fact was unintentionally discovered by Geoffrey Quill, when he worked for Vickers as a test pilot, and was obliged to bail out of one…

Fascinating. Enjoyed making the Matchbox model as a kid.

@NQR-9000

2 жыл бұрын

Indeed, It's nice to know the story of one of my favorites in the Matchbox range back in the 80's (along with the Canberra PR.9)!

@mikepette4422

2 жыл бұрын

OMG you too

@jonathansteadman7935

2 жыл бұрын

Ditto 👍

You have to remember that in 1937, the Douglas TBD Devastator entered service with the U. S. Navy. It was considered the one of the most advanced single engined bombers in the world. However, if you compare the specifications, the Wellesley had better speed, range and bomb load. I know it’s kind of apples to oranges, but it gives an indication of how advanced the Wellesley was for the time.

@scullystie4389

2 жыл бұрын

Apples to oranges indeed, the Wellesley didn't have to fly off carrier decks and deal with all the compromises that entails, it was overall a much larger aircraft as well. Had a longer wingspan than a B-25 Mitchell.

@rayjames6096

2 жыл бұрын

They grasp for straws and are always comparing themselves with the US.

@guaporeturns9472

7 ай бұрын

@@rayjames6096they?

@timphillips9954

6 ай бұрын

@@rayjames6096 Name one decent US bomber of WW2, even the Mustang was built to a British specification and used a UK power plant. Lets be honest here US tech in WW2 was crap. When I grew up in the 1970 if something did not work very well it was called US.

@johnbrobston1334

6 ай бұрын

@@timphillips9954 Are you saying that the B-29 was not a "decent bomber"?

Remember having a Matchbox 1/72 kit of this. I love these pre-war oddballs that made it into the early part of WW2. Should note that the Wellesleys were supported by 84 Vickers Vincent biplane bombers (Wellesleys were meant to replace them) in the East African campaign which also doubled as submarine hunters based in Aden. The Vildebeest was the torpedo carrying variant on the Vincent. Bristol Bombay is another unsung hero of the War which started out as a bomber (North and East Africa campaigns) but became a vital transport in the Siege of Tobruk and Invasion of Sicily.

@vincentlefebvre9255

2 жыл бұрын

Me too I built it. Matchbox did offer a nice range of planes of the thirties. I just loved and still love building these kits !

@commandingjudgedredd1841

2 жыл бұрын

I've got that kit. Still boxed up. Always pondered on making it, but never seem to be as motivated these days.

Always wanted the matchbox model, it looked so cool..

@skylongskylong1982

2 жыл бұрын

Came in three moulded colours if I remember rightly

@ja37d-34

2 жыл бұрын

@@skylongskylong1982 No idea if it was two or three colour variant. :)

Always loved this aircraft....if you can make a balsa/ paper model, youll see how well- and long- it can fly! With such a wingspan, fairly light weight, and long fuselage giving the tail great stability, its become one of my favorites to fly as a glider indoors....absolutely no difficulty crossing a room, and landing on its wheels nearly every time. I think if it had been developed as a high altitude long distance reconnaissance aircraft, it would have been the U-2 of its day.

@krjames5880

2 жыл бұрын

Actually it sounded like an excellent anti-sub machine for the Atlantic.

@robertdodd2087

2 жыл бұрын

Must admit, my thoughts exactly. Harris would not release bombers for Coastal Command, this aircraft could have been available. No fighters over the Atlantic. It could have bridged the Atlantic gap and provided cover and U boat information.

@taffwob

2 жыл бұрын

@@krjames5880 Some were re-roled to anti-submarine patrols in 1942.

@AyebeeMk2

10 ай бұрын

Those long distance trials were not just for a "Jolly Good Show"....

Like it’s child the Wellington the Wellesley was hardy, reliable even in extreme conditions, and underrated.

@givenfirstnamefamilyfirstn3935

2 жыл бұрын

It did not have children, it was s machine.

Another connection between Barnes Wallis's geodetic bombers the Vickers Wellesley and the Vickers Wellington - Arthur Wellesley was the 1st Duke of Wellington (of Waterloo fame).

Your videos are superb. I love these semi forgotten and obscure aircraft. Thank you.

@EdNashsMilitaryMatters

2 жыл бұрын

More than welcome. Glad you enjoy my content.

I remember my old Dad telling me that when he fought, with the British Army, against the Italians in Eritrea, in 1940, their principle air support was provided by RAF Vickers Wellesleys. He also added that they often attracted 'friendly fire' as, from the ground, their shape looked not dissimilar to Italian 3-engine bombers such as the Savoia-Marchetti S.M. 81.

I think the Wellington would be a bomber most people would know before the Hampden or even Short Stirling. The Blenheim might also get a mention, too, as well as the Fairy Battle. If you can name more than the Lanc and the Mossie, there might be quite a few you could mention before the Hampden. Yes, the Wellesley is too little known since it did not fit from airfields in the British Isles operationally.

@MisterOcclusion

2 жыл бұрын

The Whitley tends to get overlooked as well.

@volters9561

2 жыл бұрын

Bristol Bombay

@proud_emmerian6510

2 жыл бұрын

The Vickers Vildebeest gets overlooked quite often.

@craigs71

2 жыл бұрын

@@proud_emmerian6510 maybe because it was truly a sight to behold, it really was one ugly bird.

@benholroyd5221

2 жыл бұрын

What about the other northern town bomber? The Manchester Or the Swordfish?

Ah, it all makes sense now. Knowing that Barnes Wallace used to be an airship designer, makes the whole geodetic construction concept such an obvious direction for him to move in!

The engine was fitted with the Townend Ring, which increased the effectiveness of the engine by 50 per cent. Barnes Wallis, the designer won the silver medal of the Royal Aero Soc, Townend was the next winner, and Sir Henry Royce, the next.

The Wellesley also had another recod, that seems to be forgotten, It was fitted out with a temporary oxegen system and achieved a height record for a piston engine.

I'd imagine, only if egos didn't show up, that a long documentary series, created and narrated by both you and Mark Felton would be absolutely recieved by international fervor.

marvellous - next the Gloster Gauntlet, the Hawker Audax and the Vickers Vildebeest 🙂

Thanks for this video! I've always felt the air battles in Africa have been left out of a lot of history. Most air battle history's focus on the BF-109 vs Spitfire battles. Though the battles in North Africa were just as fierce!

@JohnyG29

2 жыл бұрын

East Africa*

I pray that some day someone will discover a Vickers Wellesley in fine condition to restore for museum display. What an interesting aircraft. Thanks for doing a video on it Ed.

Ed, that’s probably the best in the whole series in terms of impact. Not just an obscure aircraft that manages to be interesting in a niche kind of way, but one that is utterly obscure but genuinely made a significant difference to history.

The brave men who flew these obsolete aircraft to good effect against all odds were real Heroes of the first order.

@timphillips9954

2 жыл бұрын

Hardly obsolete 1n 1939

@rogerexwood6608

2 жыл бұрын

@@timphillips9954 OK, obsolescent

not as forgotten as you may think, like most kids brought up in the seventies a lot of us will recognize it due to the matchbox model kit.

@alaingadbois2276

2 жыл бұрын

I have it and always thought the Wellesley was an interesting aircraft!

@hmfc2005

2 жыл бұрын

Aye, had that and was obsessed with it!

Another task carried out by Wellesleys was ferrying fighter pilots across Africa. Terence Kelly recounts in his excellent book 'Hurricanes over the Jungle' how the 22 pilots of 258 squadron found themselves without aircraft in West Africa in November 1941. They were then ferried across Africa to Port Sudan in Wellesleys. Once there they embarked on HMS Indomitable with new Hurricanes and ended up in Singapore but that is a whole new story.

@johndell3642

2 жыл бұрын

Excellent bit of information! - Thanks for giving the source! It was 117 Squadron who used Wellesleys on the route across Africa. I knew they had carried mail and important spare parts, but never knew they carried so many passengers!

@joesangeto4881

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Frank, In my copy of "Hurricanes over the Jungle" (I've got the Pen and Sword 2005 edition) it says the pilots were ferried across Africa as far as Khartoum in a DC3 airliner. It was only Terence Kelly and two other pilots who were then flown ahead from Khartoum to Port Sudan in a Wellesley. Most amazingly, Kelly says it was one of the original record-breaking Wellesleys piloted by one of the record breaking pilots!

@frankholden237

2 жыл бұрын

@@joesangeto4881 Oops, my bad. It is some years since I read my copy, Senior moment. I found just about everything in the book amazing.

Barnes Wallis was a prime example of why the British Empire was so great .......... Eccentric geniuses

@greggstrasser5791

2 жыл бұрын

Then we defeated the wrong enemy & everything changed.

@williamromine5715

2 жыл бұрын

@@greggstrasser5791 Which enemy should you have defeated?

@letoubib21

2 жыл бұрын

@@williamromine5715 Oh, you shouldn't have asked. Now the usual claptrap will follow *. . .*

@ABrit-bt6ce

2 жыл бұрын

Bloke in a shed is still a thing. Getting someone to pay to build the bloke in a shed's world beating thing is impossible in the UK.

@cyclingnerddelux698

2 жыл бұрын

@@greggstrasser5791 “Strasser.” I see what you did there you clever little fascist.

This was incredibly informative and interesting. I didn't know any of this bit of WWII history. Thanks Ed. Keep up the great work!

Thanks for another fascinating episode. I started my career as a draftsman for an aerospace contractor, and every time I see one of these Barnes Wallis airframes I cringe at the thought of depicting all those structural bits with their compound curves and weird angles. My hat’s off to the boys in the Drawing Office!

As all British aircraft this is another Ugly piece of machinery but as described by this wonderful video, the Wellesley despite it's short comings proved its self as a capable bomber and it also gave way for the Wellington. In the thirties, innovations in aircraft development was at a feverish rate. The Wellesley played its part well ! Thanks

@owenshebbeare2999

2 жыл бұрын

Your name is French, so I'll go with that, and you criticise British aircraft aesthetics? Seriousy mate, consider your froggy Farmans, and so many other French efforts from the 1930's!

@palco22

2 жыл бұрын

@@owenshebbeare2999 I would presume some have lost all contact with what feels like a bygone era of civil discourse. Very sad.

Great video, so well edited

Great video. Keep them coming!

Thanks, an unlikely warrior but nevertheless one which contributed. Glad to hear you will get around to the flying suitcase, one of my teachers flew one in the war which does kind of date me🙄

@wideyxyz2271

2 жыл бұрын

They did some great work on Rhubarb raids across the channel which are often overlooked!

Awesome. Been waiting for a video like this on the Wellesley for ages, this is brilliant. Such an interesting aircraft

6:45 It’s always hard for me to wrap my head around how young these boys who flew and fought were. Just kids! I take a lot for granted, especially my freedom, that these youngsters sacrificed for.

Fascinating history of this plane. To be quite honest I had not even heard of it and I thought I knew a reasonable amount about WW2 aircraft .... LOL !! The Wellington was the main one I knew that Barnes Wallis designed (I thought). The Wellesley though arguably played an incredibly important role in the middle east I know now. My dad was stationed at Ismailia (Abyad) after the war just before the main Suez crisis when again the canal usage came under threat. He saw the test flight arrivals of the Comet at Abyad. Came across a photo of a Comet that landed there a few days ago when I was going through old photos to find some for his eulogy. He died three weeks ago.

Very interesting. Thank you for presenting this part of history.

Thank you for covering the Vickers Wellesley, only ever saw some photos of them .

Excellent video. Thank you. I love watching these videos about these aircraft and their operations.

Always loved the Wellesley!

What a Great presentation of an unsung Aviation Hero Ed !. Subbed.

Have watched a lot of your episodes, but I think this is the best so far, both because of the history of this aircraft, but perhaps even more because of the additional history that I didnt know, and how they connected. I learned a lot in less than 14 minutes.

Once again, only vaguely heard about it, thought it was just some in-between development model, didn't know it's importance. Put right on all of those matters, and very glad to have been so. Thanks for your excellent videos, keep 'em coming.

Great videos by the way. You cover the obscure aircraft I have always found so interesting. Many thanks.

Another spectacular addition to this series; An often forgotten example of a WW2 military aircraft that still held a significant place in history! I adore this series! Well done, Ed!

Another fascinating video about an aircraft I had never heard of. Thank you Ed for all your hard work :-)

Fascinating story and great pics. Thankyou.

What a great story. Can't wait for more videos about other obscure, yet important aircraft.

Fantastic video. I don't often comment on videos but this was so good that I had to make an exception.

Every time I see one of your videos I always jump on it because either it will be about some plane I’d never heard of or about the exploits I’d never heard of of planes I did know (or both) and I love it. Thank you so very much for all your hard work!

Another great video which I thoroughly enjoyed. Kudos also for crediting your sources.

Brilliant video. Incredible details not shared elsewhere.

I must say that every time I get a notification that this channel has published a new video my first order of business is to stop what I'm doing and watch it. Thank you Ed - I literally can't get enough of this stuff!

Brilliant video, thank you. This is quickly becoming one of my favourite channels.

Ed, I really enjoy learning about the less famous aircraft and their exploits.

What a great video, I've actually learned something new from that and it's definitely a planes that deserves to be remembered.

Excellent, as usual. Thank you

Sweet ! I've always been fascinated by this aircraft and finding information about it online is not that easy. Thanks for covering it ! (Runs off to look at vintage 1/72 Matchbox Wellesley kit lovingly placed in model stash).

Thank You for researching and posting this video. I hadnt heard the wellesly

Just discovered your channel. Excellent film, very educational, thank you for all of your work! We do hear so much about the rock star combat aircraft and the big battles, and so little of anything else.

Quite pleased you chose this aircraft to present. Fascinating video, thank you.

Excellent video, great subject, really appreciated

👍Thank you. Another great and interesting video. Really appreciate that you feature some of the more unusual aircraft types.

Thank you for this brilliant insight into an aircraft that really hasn’t featured in popular historical reports. Very informative and well presented.

Excellent mate, always watch your show. Certainly a quality channel. Take care, man.

Thoroughly enjoyed this.

Bravo 👏! Excellent episode.

This is one of your better videos. VERY well done.

What a great video! Thank you! I knew nothing about the Wellesleys and their contribution to WW2.

a real gem of a vid & unusual topic,thanks!

I always enjoy your channel. Some extraordinary aircraft but this particular unknown aircraft contributed so much to the war effort. I've never heard of it or its importance. A fantastic video Ed.

An interesting documentary. Thank you.

I knew a little about this airplane. I'm amazed at all they did with it. Wow. Pretty incredible for the time. Another great video.

A fascinating look at an aircraft I knew little about, and it's importance in WW2. Many thanks for this.

Another excellent history lesson from Ed Nash. Hats off, sir.

For some unknown reason I always liked this aircraft, thanks for posting!

Absolutely brilliant video. Fanstastic information on a completely, almost unknown aeroplane. Merry Christmas Ed, looking forward to more in 2022

Great Video, had no idea the Wellesley played such an import part in the war. Ty!

One of your best videos yet, Ed. Thanks. 11:55 Against Gondor in Ethiopia? Damn those Haradrim! ;-)

Great content every time.

Thank you sir. I'd never heard of this aircraft. What a service history! Things certainly changed quickly in those days

Your videos are awesome dude; You cover topics I am unlikely to find elsewhere. I am reasonably well versed in both wartime and civilian aviation, but honestly can say I was not at all familiar with this airplane. Wallis certainly was a bloody genius.

I am pretty interested in military aviation, but I have never heard of this plane. This episode was a real treat.

I've seen pictures, and knew it existed. But, this is the first film or video. Very interesting...thanks to whoever created this.

I never heard of this aircraft. Thank you for bringing light to an aircraft that has fallen to the wayside in history

Thank you very much for this hugely informative vid. I must admit to not having heard of the Wellesley. I will remember them now.

Brilliant little piece of history

As always, Ed, a very well thought out and produced video on an aircraft most of us know very little about - and certainly not about its crucial contribution in East Africa. Many thanks!

great upload

Excellent video and pictures 😃👍👀.....Thanks Ed Nash....From 🇺🇸

Great video Ed, I did not know how important role this plane played in the ear !

Another excellent video!

As a usual, educational, interesting and unhysterical presentation of facts, bravo!

Great story! Really enjoyed that one.

Just LOVE your content, Ed....!! Merry Christmas 🇨🇦

@EdNashsMilitaryMatters

2 жыл бұрын

Same to you!