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Vickers Vimy
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===Prototypes=== By the time the first prototype had been completed the RAF 4D was not sufficiently developed, so it was fitted with the alternative Hispano Suiza engine.{{sfn|Bruce|1965|page=3}} On 30 November 1917 the first prototype, flown by Captain Gordon Bell, made its [[maiden flight]] from [[RAF Joyce Green|Royal Flying Corps Station Joyce Green]], [[Kent]].{{sfn|Mason|1994|page=95}} In January 1918 the first prototype was dispatched to [[RAF Martlesham Heath]], [[Suffolk]], for the official trials of the type. Reportedly, the F.B.27 quickly made a positive impression: it was able to take off with a greater payload than the [[Handley Page O/400]] despite having about half the effective engine power.{{sfn|Bruce|1965|page=3}} The engines proved to be unreliable during these trials, leading to the aircraft's return to Joyce Green on 12 April 1918.{{sfn|Bruce|1965|page=3}} The first prototype was extensively modified, receiving new [[Salmson water-cooled aero-engines]] in place of the Hispano Suizas; other changes included the adoption of an alternative exhaust stack configuration, a 3-degree dihedral on the mainplanes, and a modified tail unit.{{sfn|Bruce|1965|page=3}} Following these modifications, the prototype was used for several years, surviving the war and being allocated a civil registration. In August 1919 the prototype was flown from [[Brooklands]] to [[Amsterdam]] in the Netherlands as part of Vicker's exhibit at the [[Eerste Luchtverkeer Tentoonstelling Amsterdam]].{{sfn|Bruce|1965|page=3}} During early 1918 the second prototype was completed.{{sfn|Bruce|1965|page=4}} Unlike the first, it had plain [[Elevator (aeronautics)|elevators]] and [[aileron]]s which had an inverse taper; the tops of the wings and tailplanes also differed. The defensive armament was increased, giving the rear gunner two separate guns; these changes would be standardised on production aircraft.{{sfn|Bruce|1965|page=4}} The second prototype was powered by a pair of [[Sunbeam Maori]] engines, which were found to have an unreliable cooling system during initial testing at Joyce Green. On 26 April 1918 the aircraft was dispatched to RAF Martlesham Heath for official tests, but testing was interrupted by its loss in a crash following an engine failure.{{sfn|Bruce|1965|page=4}} During the first half of the 1918 the third prototype was also completed.{{sfn|Bruce|1965|page=4}} It was powered by a pair of 400 hp (300 kW) [[Fiat A.12]] engines, and had a redesigned nose section and [[nacelle]]s which were similar to production aircraft. On 15 August 1918 the third prototype was sent to RAF Martlesham Heath for performance tests; testing was delayed by the need to replace a cracked [[Propeller (aeronautics)|propeller]].{{sfn|Bruce|1965|page=4}} On 11 September 1918 it was lost when its payload of bombs detonated owing to a hard landing, the result of a pilot-induced [[Stall (fluid mechanics)|stall]].{{sfn|Bruce|1965|page=4}} It was decided to construct a fourth prototype to test the [[Rolls-Royce Eagle|Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII]] engine.{{sfn|Bruce|1965|page=6}} On 11 October 1918 this was flown from Joyce Green to Martlesham Heath to conduct official trials. Aside from being powered by the Eagle engine, it was identical to the earlier prototypes except for having a greatly increased fuel capacity and reshaped and enlarged rudders.{{sfn|Bruce|1965|pages=6β7}} By the time the fourth prototype commenced flying trials, mass production of the Vimy had already begun.{{sfn|Bruce|1965|page=7}}
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