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WW1 - 1914-1918
" Looks of War photographers "
" Regards de photographes de Guerre"
9000 photos
438 pages
AIRCRAFTS
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HANDLEY-PAGE
First Handley-Page bomber built at Standard Aircraft Co. in Elizabeth, NJ July 6, 1918
NARA111-SC-14479-ac
Source of Photograph: National Archives RG 111
The 'Langley' and crowd for the christening ceremony July 6, 1918
NARA111-SC-14478-ac
Source of Photograph: National Archives RG 111
Nice shot of
the new Liberty motors.
British and American flags
on the nose.
Handley-Page Type O/400 bomber preparing for takeoff after christening, Elizabeth, NJ July 6, 1918 NARA111-SC-14485-ac
Source of Photograph: National Archives RG 111
Launching of the 1st American built Handley-Page bomber
at Standard Aircraft Corp.field, Elizabeth, NJ July 6, 1918
NARA111-SC-14480-ac
Source of Photograph: National Archives RG 111
Handley-Page bombing plane 'Langley' taking to the air, Elizabeth NJ Jul. 6. 1918
NARA111-SC-14484-ac
Source of Photograph: National Archives RG 111
Handley Page bomber at Andover, England July 30, 1918
NARA111-SC-18717-ac
Source of Photograph: National Archives RG 111
Handley Page bomber
with wings folded ready for the hanger at Andover Field, England July 30, 1918
NARA111-SC-18716-ac
Source of Photograph: National Archives RG 111
Side view of Handley Page O-400 at Andover, England July 30, 1918
NARA111-SC-18718-ac
Source of Photograph: National Archives RG 111
Handley Page Type O/400 a British-designed bomber at Potomac Park, Washington DC 1918 LOC18453u
Source of photograph: National Photo Company Collection (Library of Congress)
The Handley Page Model O/400 had a wing span of over a hundred feet and a crew of 4 was a substantial achievement - and to carry a bomb load of 2,000 pounds was staggering.
Maximum speed: 97.5 mph (84.7 kn, 157 km/h)
Range: 608 nmi (700 mi, 1,120 km)
Service ceiling: 8,500 ft (2,600 m)
Rate of climb: 23 min to 5,000 ft
Endurance: 8 hours
[107 were licence-built in the USA by the Standard Aircraft Corporation (out of 1,500 ordered
by the air corps). Forty-six out of an order for fifty were built by Clayton & Shuttleworth in Lincoln.
"The trial of the first American-built Handley-Page aeroplane, driven by Capt. E.B. Waller, of the British royal air force, yesterday was witnessed by President Wilson and Secretary Baker.
A crowd of more than 5,000 greeted the President when he arrived at the polo field in Potomac Park early in the afternoon."
-- Washington Post, Nov. 16, 1918
Handley Page Type O-400 at Polo Grounds Wash DC 1918
LOC18454u
Source of photograph: National Photo Company Collection (Library of Congress)
Handley Page Type O-400 at Polo Grounds Wash DC 1918
LOC18454u
Source of photograph: National Photo Company Collection (Library of Congress)
Kees Kort comments
Under assembly here is Handley Page O/400 serial F5349, the first from an order of 100 machines (serials F5349 to F5448).
These Handley Page O/400 were built under licence by National Aircraft Factory No.1
Following the entry into the war by the United States, several airfields were re-allocated to
the US Air Service, and Ford (known at the time as Ford Junction) became Field no. 1
in the Chichester Area of Night Bombardment Section, American Expeditionary Force.
The plan was for the Americans to fly Handley Page 0/400 bombers.
The first Americans arrived in September 1918 and Squadron No. 326 was formed
which flew FE2b's and Farman F40's for training purposes while they waited for 0/400 bombers
to be shipped in from the USA.
The signing of the Armistice occurred before the arrival of these aircraft except for one example which was being assembled at Ford. As a result the programme was cancelled
and the American personnel left.
The newly formed RAF used the airfield to de-commission squadrons over the next two years after which the airfield reverted back to farmland.
The text here is somewhat contradictory as this is given as a US licence built O/400 which was assembled here by US personnel.
Effectively only one was assembled.
Looking at the assembly work with todays eyes I found it quite dangerous, especially the construction with the ladders.
Might be the rule in those days