BILL EWING COLLECTION
No. 13666. Hawker Horsley Mk.II (J8006) Royal Air Force
Photograph from Flight, taken in the UK, 1927

Hawker Horsley Mk.II

Original photo caption, published in the September 8, 1927 issue of the British magazine "Flight":

WHERE IS THAT BATTLESHIP? The Hawker Horsley torpedo-carrier, with Rolls-Royce Condor engine, is the latest form which this surprising machine has taken. Normally, it is the standard bomber of the RAF, but has also been produced as a long-distance aeroplane.

Hawker Horsley Mk.II
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / (Johan Visschedijk Collection)

Original photo caption, published in the September 8, 1927 issue of the British magazine "Flight":

SHOWING ITS STING. The Hawker Horsley with Rolls-Royce Condor engine, in spite of its size, is handled like a scout by Flight-Lieutenant Bulman. The full-size torpedo looks almost small on this large machine.

04/30/2019. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "The pictured prototype Horsley torpedo-bomber was in fact the tenth production aircraft in the original order for twenty Mark IIs; it had flown in August 1926 and been delivered the same month to Martlesham for preliminary assessment. In January 1927, J8006 was transferred to the Torpedo Development Flight at Gosport for several months, being shown at the 1927 Hendon Air Display (as new Type No. 7) in July.

At the end of that year an initial production order for twelve torpedo-bombers. powered by Condor IIIAs, was placed (S1236-S1247), the first Service deliveries being made to the Coast Defence Torpedo Flight in August 1928 at Donibristle in Scotland. On 1 October this unit was renamed No. 36 (Torpedo-bomber) Squadron. Follow-up orders for further torpedo-bombers – all-metal aircraft, sometimes but incorrectly referred to as Mark IIIs – were placed (for eighteen (S1436 to S1453) in 1929 and eighteen (S1597 to S1614) in 1931, all with Condor IIIBs). Many of these Horsleys served with No. 36 Squadron when it was redeployed to Singapore in 1930, remaining in service until July 1935. Others joined No. 100 Squadron when it transferred to the torpedo bombing role in November 1930."

Read the type remarks on page 13093.


Created April 30, 2019