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{{Short description|Former British aerospace manufacturer}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2011}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
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|founder = [[Frederick Handley Page]]
|founder = [[Frederick Handley Page]]
|defunct = March 1970<ref>Not dissolved until 3 June 2001 [http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk/e52a31b38405acf86142020e577f1d55/compdetails Companies House]</ref>
|defunct = March 1970<ref>Not dissolved until 3 June 2001 [http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk/e52a31b38405acf86142020e577f1d55/compdetails Companies House]</ref>
|location = [[Cricklewood]], [[Radlett]]
|location = [[Cricklewood Aerodrome]], [[Radlett Aerodrome]]
|industry = [[Aviation]]
|industry = [[Aviation]]
|key_people = [[Hedley Hazelden]], [[Charles Joy (engineer)|Charles Joy]], [[Gustav Lachmann]], Godfrey Lee, [[Reginald Stafford]], [[George Volkert]]
|key_people = [[Hedley Hazelden]], [[Charles Joy (engineer)|Charles Joy]], [[Gustav Lachmann]], Godfrey Lee, [[Reginald Stafford]], [[George Volkert]]
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[[File:Handley-Page 1919.jpg|thumb|[[Handley Page V/1500|''Atlantic'']] in flight, non-stop from New York to Chicago, 1919]]
[[File:Handley-Page 1919.jpg|thumb|[[Handley Page V/1500|''Atlantic'']] in flight, non-stop from New York to Chicago, 1919]]


'''Handley Page Limited''' was a [[United Kingdom|British]] [[aerospace manufacturer]]. Founded by [[Frederick Handley Page]] (later Sir Frederick) in 1909, it was the United Kingdom's first publicly traded aircraft manufacturing company. It went into [[voluntary liquidation]] and ceased to exist in 1970. The company, based at [[Radlett]] Aerodrome in [[Hertfordshire]], was noted for its pioneering role in aviation history and for producing heavy [[bomber]]s and large [[airliner]]s.
'''Handley Page Limited''' was a British [[aerospace manufacturer]]. Founded by [[Frederick Handley Page]] (later Sir Frederick) in 1909, it was the United Kingdom's first publicly traded aircraft manufacturing company. It went into [[voluntary liquidation]] and ceased to exist in 1970. The company, based at [[Radlett]] Aerodrome in [[Hertfordshire]], was noted for its pioneering role in aviation history and for producing heavy [[bomber]]s and large [[airliner]]s.


==History==
==History==
{{Unreferenced section|date=December 2021}}
Frederick Handley Page first experimented with and built several [[biplane]]s and [[monoplane]]s at premises in [[Woolwich]], [[South Fambridge|Fambridge]] and [[Barking Creek]]. His company, founded on 17 June 1909, became the first British public company to build aircraft.
Frederick Handley Page first experimented with and built several [[biplane]]s and [[monoplane]]s at premises in [[Woolwich]], [[South Fambridge|Fambridge]] and [[Barking Creek]]. His company, founded on 17 June 1909, became the first British public company to build aircraft.


In 1912, Handley Page established an aircraft factory at [[Cricklewood]] after moving from [[Barking, London|Barking]]. Aircraft were built there, and flown from the company's adjacent airfield known as [[Cricklewood Aerodrome]], which was later used by [[Handley Page Transport]]. The factory was later sold off to [[Oswald Stoll]] and converted into Britain's largest film studios, [[Cricklewood Studios]].
In 1912, Handley Page established an aircraft factory at [[Cricklewood]] after moving from [[Barking, London|Barking]].<ref name="Graces">{{cite web |title=Handley Page - Graces Guide |url=https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Handley_Page |website=www.gracesguide.co.uk}}</ref> Aircraft were built there, and flown from the company's adjacent airfield known as [[Cricklewood Aerodrome]], which was later used by [[Handley Page Transport]]. The factory was later sold off to [[Oswald Stoll]] and converted into Britain's largest film studio, [[Cricklewood Studios]].


===World War I===
===World War I===
During the [[First World War]], Handley Page produced a series of [[heavy bomber]]s for the [[Royal Navy]] to bomb the German [[Zeppelin]] yards, with the ultimate intent of bombing Berlin in revenge for the Zeppelin attacks on London. Handley Page had been asked by the [[Admiralty]] to produce a "bloody paralyser of an aeroplane". These aircraft included the [[Handley Page O/100|O/100]] of 1915, the [[Handley Page O/400|O/400]] of 1918 and the four-engined [[Handley Page V/1500|V/1500]] with the range to reach Berlin. The V/1500 had only just entered operational service as the war ended in 1918.
During the [[First World War]], Handley Page produced a series of [[heavy bomber]]s for the [[Royal Navy]] to bomb the German [[Zeppelin]] yards, with the ultimate intent of bombing Berlin in revenge for the Zeppelin attacks on London.<ref name="Graces" /> Handley Page had been asked by the [[British Admiralty|Admiralty]] to produce a "bloody paralyser of an aeroplane".{{citation needed|date=August 2023}} These aircraft included the [[Handley Page O/100|O/100]] of 1915, the [[Handley Page O/400|O/400]] of 1918 and the four-engined [[Handley Page V/1500|V/1500]] with the range to reach Berlin. The V/1500 had only just entered operational service as the war ended in 1918.<ref name="Graces" />


The Handley Page factory at Radlett Aerodrome employed women as part of the war effort, and was visited by royalty.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hat from the past |url=https://royalhats.net/2019/03/25/hat-from-the-past-204/ |website=Royal Hats}}</ref>
The Handley Page factory at [[Radlett Aerodrome]] employed women as part of the war effort, and was visited by royalty.


===Interwar period===
===Interwar period===
In early 1919, a Handley Page V/1500 aircraft, dubbed ''Atlantic'', was shipped to [[Newfoundland (island)|Newfoundland]] to attempt the world's first non-stop [[Transatlantic flight]];<ref>[http://www.kaisersbunker.com/rfc/rfc13.htm Kaiser's Bunker]</ref> only to lose in the attempt to a [[Vickers Vimy#Operational history|Vickers Vimy]] piloted by [[Alcock and Brown]] in June of that year. The crew departed for [[New York City|New York]] from Newfoundland but were forced to land on 5 July 1919 in [[Parrsboro, Nova Scotia]] where the aircraft was repaired over the course of the summer. The ''Atlantic'' continued to [[New York City|New York]] on 9 October 1919, carrying with it the first [[airmail]] from [[Canada]] to the [[United States|United States of America]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.town.parrsboro.ns.ca/history.html |title=Town of Parrsboro |access-date=20 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221043948/http://www.town.parrsboro.ns.ca/history.html |archive-date=21 December 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In early 1919, a Handley Page V/1500 aircraft, dubbed ''Atlantic'', was shipped to [[Newfoundland (island)|Newfoundland]] to attempt the world's first non-stop [[Transatlantic flight]];<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kaisersbunker.com/rfc/rfc13.htm|title=HP_fabric|website=www.kaisersbunker.com|accessdate=15 October 2022}}</ref> only to be beaten by a [[Vickers Vimy#Operational history|Vickers Vimy]] piloted by [[Alcock and Brown]] in June of that year. The ''Atlantic'' flew into [[New York City]] via [[Canada]] on 9 October 1919, carrying the first [[airmail]] from Canada to the [[United States|United States of America]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.town.parrsboro.ns.ca/history.html |title=Town of Parrsboro |access-date=20 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221043948/http://www.town.parrsboro.ns.ca/history.html |archive-date=21 December 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


In the immediate postwar years, Handley Page modified a number of O/400's to passenger use, which they flew on the London-Paris route as [[Handley Page Transport]]. The V/1500 was considered too large to be practical at the time, but a number of design features of the V/1500 were later incorporated into an O/400 airframe to produce their first dedicated passenger design, the [[Handley Page W.8|W.8]]. In 1924 Handley Page Transport merged with two other regional airlines to create [[Imperial Airways]], the UK's first national airline service. Handley Page developed several large [[biplane]] airliners, including the luxurious [[Handley Page H.P.42]], for use on [[British Empire|Imperial]] routes to Africa and India.
In the immediate postwar years, Handley Page modified some O/400's for passenger use, which they flew on the London-Paris route as [[Handley Page Transport]]. The V/1500 was considered too large to be practical at the time, but many design features of the V/1500 were later incorporated into an O/400 airframe to produce their first dedicated passenger design, the [[Handley Page W.8|W.8]]<ref name="Graces" /> that led to a series of similar airliners, fitted with two or three engines, which, aside from being used by Handley Page Transport, were also exported to Belgium.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}


In 1924 Handley Page Transport merged with two other airlines to create [[Imperial Airways]], as the UK's national airline service, which continued to use a number of the W.8, W.9 and W.10 series of airliners. Handley Page continued to develop large [[biplane]] airliners, including the luxurious [[Handley Page H.P.42]], for use on [[British Empire|Imperial]] routes to Africa and India.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}
Handley Page developed the Handley Page Slat (or slot, see [[Leading edge slats|slats]]), an auxiliary airfoil mounted ahead and over the main wing, which formed a narrow opening running along the leading edge of the wing to improve airflow at high [[angle of attack|angles of attack]].<ref>F. Handley Page [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1921/1921%20-%200844.html "Developments In Aircraft Design By The Use Of Slotted Wings"] ''FLIGHT'', 22 December 1921, page 844 and page 845</ref> The leading edge slat was simultaneously designed by the German aerodynamicist [[Gustav Lachmann]], who was later employed by Handley Page. The design was so successful that licensing fees to other companies was their main source of income in the early 1920s.


Handley Page developed the [[Leading edge slats|Handley Page Slat]] (or slot), an auxiliary airfoil mounted ahead and above the wing, which formed a narrow gap which improved airflow at high [[angle of attack|angles of attack]] and improved low speed handling.<ref>F. Handley Page [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1921/1921%20-%200844.html "Developments In Aircraft Design By The Use Of Slotted Wings"] ''FLIGHT'', 22 December 1921, page 844 and page 845</ref> The leading edge slat was simultaneously designed by the German aerodynamicist [[Gustav Lachmann]], who was later employed by Handley Page. The design was so successful that licensing fees to other companies were their main source of income in the early 1920s.
In 1929, the [[Cricklewood Aerodrome]] was closed and a new one built at [[Radlett]], where most aircraft were now to be constructed. However the construction of aircraft at Cricklewood continued until 1964 when the premises were sold to become the Cricklewood trading estate.
[[File:Handley page.jpg|thumb|HP [[preference share]] certificate, 1927]]

In 1929, Cricklewood Aerodrome was closed and Handley Page moved the aircraft final assembly to [[Radlett Aerodrome]]. Cricklewood Aerodrome was taken over by [[Cricklewood Studios]], the largest film studio in the UK at that time. Manufacture of aircraft parts and sub-assemblies continued until 1964 at Cricklewood when the remainder of the site was sold off and a [[Wickes]] home renovation store currently occupies the site.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}


===World War II===
===World War II===
With the [[Second World War]] looming, Handley Page turned back to bomber design and produced the [[Handley Page Hampden|HP.52 Hampden]], which took part in the first British raid on Berlin. In response to a 1936 government request for heavier, longer ranged aircraft, Handley Page tendered the HP.56 design powered by twin [[Rolls-Royce Vulture]]<nowiki/>s and this was ordered, along with what became the [[Avro Manchester]]. However the Vulture proved so troublesome that – years before the engine was abandoned by [[Rolls-Royce Limited|Rolls-Royce]] in 1940 – the Air Staff decided that the HP.56 should be fitted with four engines instead. Therefore, before reaching prototype stage, the HP.56 design was reworked into the four-engined [[Handley-Page Halifax|HP.57 Halifax]].<ref>Buttler p102-104</ref> The Halifax became the second most prolific British heavy bomber of the war after the [[Avro Lancaster]] (itself essentially a four-engine development of the Manchester). Although in some respects (such as crew survivability) better than the Lancaster, the Halifax suffered in terms of altitude performance<ref>Buttler p129</ref> and was redeployed toward the end of the war as a heavy transport and glider tug, with several variants being specifically built as such, including the HP.70 Halton.
With the [[Second World War]] looming, Handley Page designed and produced the [[Handley Page Hampden|HP.52 Hampden]] bomber, which took part in the first British raid on Berlin.
In response to a 1936 government request for heavier, longer ranged aircraft, Handley Page tendered the HP.56 design powered by twin [[Rolls-Royce Vulture]]s and this was ordered, along with what became the [[Avro Manchester]]. However the Vulture proved so troublesome that – years before the engine was abandoned by [[Rolls-Royce Limited|Rolls-Royce]] in 1940 – the Air Staff decided that the HP.56 should be fitted with four engines instead. Therefore, before reaching the prototype stage, the HP.56 design was reworked into the four-engined [[Handley-Page Halifax|HP.57 Halifax]].<ref>Buttler p102-104</ref> The Halifax became the second most-prolific British heavy bomber of the war after the [[Avro Lancaster]] (itself essentially a four-engine development of the Manchester). Although in some respects (such as crew survivability) better than the Lancaster, the Halifax suffered in terms of altitude performance<ref>Buttler p129</ref> and was redeployed toward the end of the war as a heavy transport and glider tug, with several variants being specifically built as such, including the HP.70 Halton.


===Postwar===
===Postwar===
{{Unreferenced section|date=December 2021}}
After the war, the British Government sought tenders for jet bombers to carry the nation's [[nuclear deterrent]]. The three types produced were known as the [[V bomber|V-Bomber]]s, and Handley Page's contribution was the [[Handley Page Victor|HP.80 Victor]], a four-engined, crescent-winged design. This aircraft remained in service (as a [[tanker aircraft]]) well beyond the demise of the company which created it.
After the war, the British Government sought tenders for jet bombers to carry the nation's [[nuclear deterrent]]. The three types produced were known as the [[V bomber|V-Bomber]]s, and Handley Page's contribution was the [[Handley Page Victor|HP.80 Victor]], a four-engined, crescent-winged design. This aircraft remained in service (as a [[tanker aircraft]]) well beyond the demise of the company which created it.


In 1947 Handley Page bought some of the assets of the bankrupt [[Miles Aircraft]] company. These assets include existing designs, tools and jigs, most notably for the [[Miles M.52]] supersonic research aircraft, and the Miles site at [[Woodley, Berkshire|Woodley]], near Reading. The whole operation was '''Handley Page (Reading) Ltd''', the company constituted to buy and operate the assets formed out of the legally alive but otherwise inactive [[Handley Page Transport]] Ltd. The most significant of the inherited designs was the [[Handley Page Herald|Herald]] airliner. Designs coming out of the Reading site were shown by the initials HPR (from "Handley Page (Reading) Limited")
In 1947 Handley Page bought some of the assets of the bankrupt [[Miles Aircraft]] company. These assets include existing designs, tools and jigs, most notably for the [[Miles M.52]] supersonic research aircraft, and the Miles site at [[Woodley, Berkshire|Woodley]], near Reading. The operation was named '''Handley Page (Reading) Ltd''', a company constituted to buy and operate the assets formed out of the inactive [[Handley Page Transport]] Ltd. The most significant of the inherited designs became the [[Handley Page Herald|Herald]] airliner. Designs from the Reading site used the initials HPR ("Handley Page (Reading)").


===Demise===
===Demise===
Unlike other large British aircraft manufacturers, Handley Page resisted the government's pressure to merge into larger entities. By the late 1960s, the British aviation industry was dominated by just two combines: [[Hawker Siddeley]] and the [[British Aircraft Corporation]].
Unlike other large British aircraft manufacturers, Handley Page resisted the government's pressure to merge into larger entities. By the late 1960s, the British aviation industry was dominated by two companies: [[Hawker Siddeley]] and the [[British Aircraft Corporation]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}


Unable to compete for government orders or with large commercial aircraft, Handley Page produced its final notable Handley Page design, the [[Handley Page Jetstream|Jetstream]]. This was a small [[turboprop]]-powered commuter aircraft, with a [[cabin pressurisation|pressurised cabin]] and a passenger capacity of 12 to 18. It was designed primarily for the United States "[[feederliner]]" market.
Unable to compete for government orders or build large commercial aircraft, Handley Page produced its final notable Handley Page design, the [[Handley Page Jetstream|Jetstream]]. This was a small [[turboprop]]-powered commuter aircraft, with a [[cabin pressurisation|pressurised cabin]] and a passenger capacity of 12 to 18. It was designed primarily for the United States "[[feederliner]]" market.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}


The Jetstream was too late to save Handley Page, and the company went into [[voluntary liquidation]] in March 1970 and was wound up after 61 years trading under the same name. The Jetstream however lived on as a successful product, the design being purchased and produced by [[Scottish Aviation]] at [[Prestwick]], continuing after the company was merged into [[British Aerospace]] from 1977.
Although successful, Jetstream was too late to save Handley Page, and the company went into [[voluntary liquidation]] in March 1970 and was wound up after 61 years trading under the same name. The Jetstream lived on, the design being purchased and produced by [[Scottish Aviation]] at [[Prestwick]], continuing after the company was bought by [[British Aerospace]] in 1977.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}


==Sites==
==Sites==
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Most of the towers, [[hangar]]s and runways were demolished in the 1970s after the Company was terminated. The M25 Motorway now runs on the south side of the site, with [[Lafarge (company)|Lafarge Aggregates]] now owning the remainder. The runway surface was removed and replaced with grass, but a shadow remains when viewed from the air.
Most of the towers, [[hangar]]s and runways were demolished in the 1970s after the Company was terminated. The M25 Motorway now runs on the south side of the site, with [[Lafarge (company)|Lafarge Aggregates]] now owning the remainder. The runway surface was removed and replaced with grass, but a shadow remains when viewed from the air.


The aerodrome was used in the 1962 film, [[The Iron Maiden]].
==Products==


==Products==
===Designations===
===Designations===
{{Unreferenced section|date=December 2021}}
Handley Page originally used a letter progression to designate types (i.e. ''R'', ''S'', ''T'' etc.) in combination with a number, that may or may not have been meaningful, to designate sub-types (e.g. the O/100 indicated the type's 100-foot wingspan). In 1924, the company began using the letters ''HP'' and a number to indicate the model. Thus the O/400 became the HP.16 and the [[Handley Page Type W|W.8]] the HP.18. When the assets of Miles Aircraft were taken over, the latter's Reading design office began using ''HPR.'' (for Handley Page Reading), followed by a number (e.g. the HPR.1 Marathon).
Handley Page originally used a letter sequence to designate types (i.e. ''A'', ''B'', ''C'' etc.). Beginning with the model E, the letter was used in combination with a slash and a number that referred to the installed horsepower, at least initially. However the 100 in O/100 indicated the type's 100-foot wingspan, while other designs it may or may not have been meaningful other than as a design sequence. By 1923, the company had come to the end of the alphabet and had begun reusing earlier letters, but this would have become confusing, so from 1924 they assigned the letters ''HP'' and a sequential number to indicate the model, with previous aircraft being retroactively assigned numbers in the new sequence, starting with the Type A as the HP.1. Thus the O/400 became the HP.16 and the [[Handley Page Type W|W.8]] the HP.18. Unbuilt projects were skipped from this sequence.

When the assets of Miles Aircraft were taken over, the latter's Reading design office used ''HPR'' for Handley Page Reading, followed by a number as with the HPR.1 Marathon.


===Designs===
===Designs===
====First Letter Designation Sequence (pre-1924)====
*[[Handley Page Type A|Type A / HP.1]] – monoplane (1910)
*[[Handley Page Type B|Type B / HP.2]] – biplane
*[[Handley Page Type A|Type A]] – 1909-1910 "Bluebird" monoplane
*[[Handley Page Type D|Type D / HP.4]] – monoplane (1911)
*[[Handley Page Type B|Type B]] – 1909 biplane
*[[Handley Page Type E|Type E / HP.5]] – monoplane
*[[Handley Page Type A|Type C]] – 1910 monoplane, did not fly; rebuilt from Type A
*[[Handley Page Type F|Type F / HP.6]] – monoplane
*[[Handley Page Type D|Type D]] – 1911 "Antiseptic" monoplane
*[[Handley Page Type G|Type G / HP.7]] – biplane
*[[Handley Page Type E|Type E]] – 1912 E/50 "Antiseptic" monoplane
*[[Handley Page Type L|Type L / HP.8]] – biplane – never flew
*[[Handley Page Type F|Type F]] – 1912 F/70 military monoplane with side by side seating
* Handley Page Type H (unbuilt monoplane project)
*[[Handley Page Type G|Type G]] – 1913 G/100 crescent-wing biplane
*[[Handley Page Type E|Type H]] – 1913 H/70 and H/110 monoplane projects, developments of type E & F
* Handley Page Type K (unbuilt biplane project)
*Type I – not assigned
* Handley Page Type M (unbuilt biplane project)
*Type J - possibly a bomber
* Handley Page Type N (unbuilt biplane project)
*Type K – 1913 K/35 biplane project, scaled down type G
* Handley Page Type P (unbuilt triplane project)
*Handley Page HP.9 (unbuilt biplane project)
*[[Handley Page Type L|Type L]] – 1914 L/200 transatlantic biplane, never flew; scaled up Type K
* Type M – 1914 M/200 coastal defense biplane project; land/seaplane derivative of L/200
*Handley Page HP.10 (unbuilt Scout project)
** Type MS/200 – 1914 seaplane derivative project of M/200
*[[Handley Page HP.14|HP.14]] - prototype naval reconnaissance
* Type N – 1914 N/80 biplane project
*[[Handley Page Type O|Type O]] – twin-engined bomber
*[[Handley Page Type O|Type O]] – 1915-1920 twin-engine O/100 & O/400 bombers and O/7, O/10 & O/11 airliners
** O/100 (HP.11)
* Type P – 1916 P/320 biplane (later triplane) shipboard scout project
** O/400 (HP.12)
*Type Q – not assigned
*** O/7 bomber
*Type R – 1917 R/200 landplane/seaplane reconnaissance-fighter to Spec. N.2B
*** O/10 airliner
*[[Handley Page Type O|Type S]] – 1917 S/400 flying boat project, derivative of O/400
*** O/11 airliner
*Type T – 1917 T/400 flying boat project; military flying boat derivative of O/400
*** W/400 airliner
*[[Handley Page V/1500|V/1500 / HP.15]]
*[[Handley Page Hanley|Type T]] – 1922 Hanley biplane carrier torpedo bomber
*[[Handley Page Type W|Type W]] airliner
*[[Handley Page Hendon|Type Ta]] – 1924 Hendon biplane carrier torpedo-bomber
*Type U – not assigned
**W8 / HP.18 / HP.26 Hamilton
*[[Handley Page V/1500|Type V]] – V/1500, 1918 four engine heavy bomber
**W9 / HP.27 Hampstead
* [[Handley Page Hanley|Type T / HP.19 Hanley]]
*[[Handley Page Type W|Type W]] – W/400 (later W/4), 1919 airliner; transport derivative of O/400
* [[Handley Page H.P.20|HP.20]]
*[[Handley Page H.P.20|Type X]] – X/4, Airco DH.9A fitted with slotted monoplane wing
*Type Y – not assigned
* [[Handley Page Type S|Type S / HP.21]]
*Type Z – not assigned
* [[Handley Page HP.22|HP.22]]

* [[Handley Page HP.22|HP.23]]
====Second Letter Designation Sequence (1923)====
* [[Handley Page Hyderabad|HP.24 Hyderabad]]
* [[Handley Page Hendon|Type Ta / HP.25 Hendon]]
*[[Handley Page HP.28 Handcross|Type C/7 Handcross]] – 1924 biplane day bomber, letter reused
*Type D/4 – HP.29 biplane transport project
* [[Handley Page HP.28 Handcross|C/7 / HP.28 Handcross]]
* Handley Page HP.29 (unbuilt transport project)
*[[Handley Page Hamlet|Type D]] – HP.32 Hamlet
* [[Handley Page HP.31 Harrow|HP.31 Harrow]]
*[[Handley Page HP.31 Harrow|Type E]] – HP.31 Harrow
*Type F – HP.37 shipboard fighter project to Spec. O.22/26
* [[Handley Page Hamlet|HP.32 Hamlet]]
* [[Handley Page Hinaidi|HP.33 / HP.35 / HP.36 Hinaidi]] – heavy bomber
*[[Handley Page Hare|Type H]] – HP.34 Hare
* [[Handley Page Hare|HP.34 Hare]]
*[[Handley Page Hinaidi|Type M]] – HP.36 Hinaidi II

* Handley Page HP.37 (unbuilt ship fighter project)
====Numerical Designations (1924-1970)====
* [[Handley Page Heyford|HP.38 / HP.50 Heyford]] – biplane heavy bomber
* [[Handley Page Gugnunc|HP.39 Gugnunc]] – experimental biplane
*[[Handley Page Type A|HP.1]] – Type A monoplane
* Handley Page HP.40 (unbuilt biplane project)
*[[Handley Page Type B|HP.2]] – Type B biplane
* Handley Page HP.41 (unbuilt torpedo biplane project)
*[[Handley Page Type A|HP.3]] – Type C monoplane, never flew; rebuilt from HP.1
* [[Handley Page HP.42|HP.42]] – biplane airliner
*[[Handley Page Type D|HP.4]] – Type D monoplane
* [[Handley Page HP.43|HP.43]] – three-engined biplane bomber transport
*[[Handley Page Type E|HP.5]] – Type E monoplane
* [[Handley Page HP.42|HP.45]] – biplane airliner
*[[Handley Page Type F|HP.6]] – Type F monoplane
* [[Handley Page H.P.46|HP.46]] - torpedo bomber
*[[Handley Page Type G|HP.7]] – Type G biplane
* [[Handley Page H.P.47|HP.47]] - bomber, torpedo bomber
*[[Handley Page Type L|HP.8]] – Type L biplane, never flew
*HP.9 – Type M coastal defense aircraft project
* [[Handley Page HP.51|HP.51]] – prototype bomber transport
*HP.10 – Type N biplane scout project
* [[Handley Page Hampden|H.P.52 Hampden]] – medium bomber
*[[Handley Page Type O|HP.11]] – O/100 twin-engine bomber
* HP.53 – bomber design for Sweden – led to the [[Handley Page Hereford|HP.52 Hereford]]
* [[Handley Page HP.54 Harrow|HP.54 Harrow]] – monoplane heavy bomber
*[[Handley Page Type O|HP.12]] – O/400 twin-engine bomber
*HP.13 – Type P biplane (later triplane) shipboard scout project
*HP.55 – two-engined heavy bomber design
*[[Handley Page HP.14|HP.14]] – Type R prototype naval reconnaissance aircraft
*HP.56 – two-engined heavy bomber design
*[[Handley Page Halifax|Halifax]] – four-engined heavy bomber
*[[Handley Page V/1500|HP.15]] – V/1500 "Super Handley" four-engine bomber
*[[Handley Page Type W|HP.16]] – W/400 airliner
** HP.57 Halifax Mk.I
*[[Airco DH.9|HP.17]] – Airco DH.9 fitted with wing slots
** HP.58 Halifax Mk.II
*[[Handley Page Type W|HP.18 Hamilton]] – W/8 airliner
** HP.59 Halifax Mk.II Series
*[[Handley Page Hanley|HP.19 Hanley]] – torpedo bomber
** HP.61 Halifax Mk.III
*[[Handley Page H.P.20|HP.20]] – Airco DH.9A fitted with slotted monoplane wing
** HP.63 Halifax Mk.V / VI / VII
*[[Handley Page Type S|HP.21]] – Type S monoplane fighter for US Navy
** HP.70
*[[Handley Page H.P.22|HP.22]] – single-seat sport monoplane for [[Lympne light aircraft trials]]
***Halifax Mk.VIII
*[[Handley Page H.P.22|HP.23]] – single-seat sport monoplane for Lympne light aircraft trials
***Halton – airliner
*[[Handley Page Hyderabad|HP.24 Hyderabad]] – biplane heavy bomber
* HP.65 - design for developed Halifax with new low drag 113&nbsp;ft wing, turbo supercharged Hercules engine.<ref>Buttler p131</ref>
*[[Handley Page Hendon|HP.25 Hendon]] – torpedo bomber
* HP.66 - design for developed Halifax ordered to specification B.27/43, provisionally called Hastings B.I, abandoned after end of war.
*[[Handley Page Type W|HP.26 Hamilton]] – W/8 airliner
* HP.69 - design for developed Halifax with turbo-blower exhaust Hercules 100, provisionally called Hastings Mark II. Prototype ordered but shelved 1944<ref>Buttler p132</ref>
*[[Handley Page Type W|HP.27 Hampstead]] – W/9 airliner
** HP.71 Halifax Mk.IX
* [[Handley Page Hastings|HP.67 Hastings]] – military transport
*[[Handley Page HP.28 Handcross|HP.28 Handcross]] – biplane day bomber
*HP.29 – D/4 biplane transport project
* [[Handley Page Hermes]] – airliner
*[[Handley Page Type W|HP.30]] – W/10 airliner
**HP.68 Hermes I
*[[Handley Page H.P.31 Harrow|HP.31 Harrow]] – carrier-based torpedo bomber and reconnaissance aircraft
**HP.74 Hermes II
*[[Handley Page Hamlet|HP.32 Hamlet]] – six-passenger monoplane airliner
**HP.81 Hermes IV
*[[Handley Page Hinaidi|HP.33 Hinaidi I and Clive I]] – heavy bomber & transport
**HP.82 Hermes V
* [[Handley Page Manx|HP.75 Manx]] – tailless research aircraft
*[[Handley Page Hare|HP.34 Hare]] – high-altitude day bomber
* Handley Page HP.76 (unbuilt civil transport project)
*[[Handley Page Hinaidi|HP.35 Clive II]] – heavy bomber
* Handley Page HP.77 (unbuilt civil transport project)
*[[Handley Page Hinaidi|HP.36 Hinaidi II]] – twin-engine bomber
* Handley Page HP.78 (unbuilt civil transport project)
*HP.37 – shipboard fighter project to Spec. O.22/26
* [[Handley Page Victor|HP.80 Victor]] – four-engined bomber
*[[Handley Page Heyford|HP.38 Heyford]] – prototype biplane heavy night bomber
* Handley Page HP.83 (unbuilt civil transport project)
*[[Handley Page Gugnunc|HP.39 Gugnunc]] – experimental STOL/safety biplane
*HP.40 – biplane seaplane project for Japan for 3MR5 design
* Handley Page HP.84 (unbuilt civil transport project)
*HP.41 – biplane torpedo bomber project to Spec. M.5/28; joint tender with Blackburn
* Handley Page HP.85 (unbuilt civil transport project)
* Handley Page HP.86 (unbuilt civil transport project)
*[[Handley Page H.P.42|HP.42]] – eastern biplane airliner
* [[Handley Page HP.88|HP.88]] – Victor research aircraft
*[[Handley Page H.P.43|HP.43]] – three-engine biplane bomber transport to Spec. C.16/28; later rebuilt as HP.51
* Handley Page HP.99 (unbuilt bomber project)
*[[Handley Page Hinaidi|HP.44 Hinaidi III]] – twin-engine bomber; proposed re-engining of HP.36
* [[Handley Page HP.100|HP.100]] – reconnaissance bomber to OR.330
*[[Handley Page H.P.42|HP.45]] – western biplane airliner
* Handley Page HP.102 (unbuilt airliner project)
*[[Handley Page H.P.46|HP.46]] – biplane torpedo bomber to Spec. M.1/30
* Handley Page HP.105 (unbuilt transport project)
*[[Handley Page H.P.47|HP.47]] – general purpose monoplane to Spec. G.4/31
*HP.48 – reserved but not used
* Handley Page HP.107 (unbuilt bomber project)
*HP.49 – reserved but not used
* Handley Page HP.108 (unbuilt transport project)
* Handley Page HP.109 (unbuilt transport project)
*[[Handley Page Heyford|HP.50 Heyford]] – production variant, biplane heavy night bomber
* Handley Page HP.110 (unbuilt transport project)
*[[Handley Page H.P.51|HP.51]] – prototype monoplane bomber-transport to Spec. C.26/31
* Handley Page HP.112 (unbuilt Flying Jeep project)
*[[Handley Page Hampden|HP.52 Hampden I]] – medium bomber
* Handley Page HP.113 (unbuilt transport project)
*[[Handley Page Hampden|HP.53]] – bomber project for Sweden, led to the HP.53 Hereford
* [[Handley Page HP.115|HP.115]] – delta winged research aircraft
*[[Handley Page H.P.54 Harrow|HP.54 Harrow]] – bomber-transport
*HP.55 – twin-engine heavy bomber design to Spec. B.1/35
* Handley Page HP.116 (unbuilt freighter project)
*HP.56 – twin-engine heavy bomber design to Spec. P.13/36
* Handley Page HP.117 (unbuilt airliner project)
* Handley Page HP.118 (unbuilt VTOL Jeep project)
*[[Handley Page Halifax|HP.57 Halifax Mk.I]] – four-engine heavy bomber
*[[Handley Page Halifax|HP.58 Halifax Mk.II]] – four-engine heavy bomber project; cancelled due to armament problems, name transferred to HP.59
* Handley Page HP.119 (unbuilt VTOL Jeep project)
* Handley Page HP.120 (unbuilt VTOL Jeep project)
*[[Handley Page Halifax|HP.59 Halifax Mk.II]] – four-engine heavy bomber
* Handley Page HP.122 (unbuilt VTOL transport project)
*[[Handley Page Halifax|HP.60 Halifax Mk.IV]] – heavy bomber project for B.1/39, not built
* Handley Page HP.126 Aerobus (unbuilt airliner project)
*[[Handley Page Halifax|HP.61 Halifax Mk.III]] – four-engine heavy bomber
* Handley Page HP.128 (unbuilt supersonic transport project)
*[[Handley Page Hampden|HP.62 Hampden II]] – medium bomber
* Handley Page HP.135 (unbuilt global transport project)
*[[Handley Page Halifax|HP.63 Halifax V]] – four-engine heavy bomber
* [[Handley Page Jetstream|HP.137 Jetstream]] – twin-turboprop feederliner
*[[Handley Page Halifax|HP.64 Halifax transport]] – airliner to Spec. C.15/43
*[[Handley Page Halifax|HP.65 Halifax IV "Super-Halifax"]] – project with low drag {{cvt|113|ft}} wing, turbo supercharged Hercules engines.<ref>Buttler p131</ref>
*[[Handley Page Halifax|HP.66 Hastings B.I and B.II]] – Halifax project to Spec. B.27/43, provisional name, abandoned at end of war.
*[[Handley Page Hastings|HP.67 Hastings C1 and C2]] – military transport
*[[Handley Page Hermes|HP.68 Hermes I]] – airliner
*[[Handley Page Halifax|HP.69 Hastings B.II]] – Halifax project with turbo-blower exhaust Hercules 100, provisional name. Order cancelled 1944<ref>Buttler p132</ref>
*[[Handley Page Halifax|HP.70 Halifax C.VIII & Halton]] – transport & airliner
*[[Handley Page Halifax|HP.71 Halifax A.IX]] – paratroop transport/glider tug
*HP.72 – military transport project to Spec. C.15/45
*HP.72A – four-engine swept wing jet bomber project; led to HP.80 Victor
*[[Handley Page Hastings|HP.73 Hastings C.III]] – transport project
*[[Handley Page Hermes|HP.74 Hermes II]] – airliner developed from the HP.68 Hermes I
*[[Handley Page Manx|HP.75 Manx]] – tailless research aircraft for possible transport, bomber and fighter aircraft projects.
*HP.75A – unarmed high-speed swept wing jet bomber project; led to and eclipsed by the HP.72A
*HP.76 – 34 passenger, twin turboprop airliner to Brabazon 2B
*HP.77 – as HP.76 but with two Bristol Theseus engines to Brabazon 2B
*HP.78 – four-engine turboprop airliner project to Brabazon 2B; four-engine derivative of HP.76
*[[Handley Page Hermes|HP.79 Hermes III]] – four-engine turboprop airliner project; originally designated HP.74
*[[Handley Page Victor|HP.80 Victor]] – four-engine bomber to Spec. B.35/46
*[[Handley Page Hermes|HP.81 Hermes IV]] – airliner
*[[Handley Page Hermes|HP.82 Hermes V]] – airliner
*HP.83 – Hermes airliner to Spec. C.2/47 (Brabazon III) with four Bristol Hercules 663 engines
*HP.84 – airliner to Spec. C.2/47
*HP.85 – Hermes airliner to Spec. C.2/47 with two Bristol Proteus coupled turboprops and single-spar wing
*HP.86 – Hermes airliner to Spec. C.2/47 with four Bristol Hercules 663 engines and single-spar wing
*[[Handley Page Victor|HP.87]] – 1/3 scale radio-controlled Victor glider
*[[Handley Page HP.88|HP.88]] – Victor research aircraft, wings and tail on [[Supermarine Attacker]]
*[[Handley Page Hastings|HP.89 Hastings VI]] – transport project
*[[Handley Page Hermes|HP.90 Hermes IA]] – project civil combi freighter
*[[Handley Page Hermes|HP.91 Hermes VI]] – lightened Hermes IA project
*[[Handley Page Hermes|HP.92 Hermes VII]] – as HP.91 but with four Rolls-Royce Merlin engines
*HP.93 – Dufaylite wing for [[Miles Messenger]]
*[[Handley Page Hastings|HP.94 Hastings C.4]] – VIP transport project to Spec. C.115P
*[[Handley Page Hastings|HP.95 Hastings C.3]] – transport for RNZAF
*[[Handley Page Victor|HP.96]] – Victor military transport project
*[[Handley Page Victor|HP.97]] – Victor civil airliner project
*[[Handley Page Victor|HP.98]] – Victor target-marker project
*HP.99 – "Daisy Cutter" low-level bomber project
*[[Handley Page HP.100|HP.100]] – long-range, high-speed reconnaissance-bomber to Spec. OR.330
*[[Handley Page Victor|HP.101]] – proposed military version of HP.97
*HP.102 – boundary level control airliner; superseded by HP.108
*[[BAC Jet Provost|HP.103]] – BLC conversion of Jet Provost
*[[Handley Page Victor|HP.104]] – phase 3 Victor bomber project
*HP.105 – BLC military transport to Spec. C.132D
*HP.106 – missile design studies
*HP.107 – supersonic bomber project to Spec. OR.330
*HP.108 – four-engine jetliner, rival to Boeing 707
*HP.109 – supersonic transport project
*HP.110 – supersonic transport project
*HP.111 – strategic jet transport/freighter project, partially based on Victor
*HP.111C – civil version of HP.111
*HP.112 – "Flying Jeep" project; eclipsed by HP.118
*HP.113 – "laminarized" 12-seat commuter project
*[[Handley Page Victor|HP.114]] – phase 6 Victor bomber project
*[[Handley Page HP.115|HP.115]] – low speed delta wing research aircraft
*HP.116 – tactical freighter studies
*HP.117 – 200-300 passenger flying wing airliner project
*HP.118 – VTOL "Jumping Jeep" project; eclipsed by HP.120
*HP.119 – 3/10 scale model for HP.117
*HP.120 – 2-man VTOL convertible "Jumping Jeep" project
*HP.121 – not used to avoid confusion with de Havilland DH.121
*HP.122 – [[VTOL]] transport project to Spec. OR.351
*HP.123 – HP.111-based BLC military tactical transport project to Spec. OR.351
*[[Handley Page Dart Herald|HP.124]] – Military Herald project
*[[Handley Page Dart Herald|HP.125]] – tactical VTOL variant of HP.124 to NATO requirement NMBR-4
*HP.126 – All-Wing Aerobus 100 passenger airliner
*[[Handley Page Dart Herald|HP.127]] – Jet Herald feederliner development
*HP.128 – short-range supersonic transport project
*[[Handley Page Dart Herald|HP.129]] – Mini Herald 30 passenger feederliner
*[[Hawker Siddeley HS.125|HP.130]] – BLC conversion of HS.125
*[[Handley Page Dart Herald|HP.131]] – improved HP.124 with ramp; offered to Belgium in 1965 along with HP.132 and HP.133
*[[Handley Page Dart Herald|HP.132]] – STOL variant of HP.131
*[[Handley Page Dart Herald|HP.133]] – STOL variant of HP.131; offered to Belgium Air Force in 1965, but rejected
*HP.134 – Ogee Aerobus high-speed airliner
*HP.135 – high-wing laminar-flow military transport
*HP.136 – not used to avoid confusion with de Havilland DH.136
*[[Handley Page Jetstream|HP.137 Jetstream]] – twin-turboprop light transport aircraft


Handley Page (Reading) designs
====Handley Page (Reading) designs====
* [[Handley Page Marathon|HPR.1 Marathon]] – airliner
*[[Handley Page Marathon|HPR.1 Marathon]] – 1948 Miles M.60 transport
* [[Handley Page Basic Trainer|HPR.2 Basic Trainer]] – basic trainer
*HPR.1 (II) – 1950 Basic Trainer derivative project
* [[Handley Page Dart Herald|HPR.3 Herald]] airliner
*[[Handley Page Basic Trainer|HPR.2 Basic Trainer]] – 1950 basic trainer to Spec. T.16/48
* [[Handley Page Marathon|HPR.5 Marathon]] – engine testbed
*[[Handley Page Dart Herald|HPR.3 Herald]] – 1952 airliner prototype; converted to Dart Herald standard
* [[Handley Page Dart Herald|HPR.7 Dart Herald]] – airliner
*[[Handley Page Dart Herald|HPR.4 Herald]] – projected production version of HPR.3
*[[Handley Page Dart Herald|HPR.4 (II)]] – 1953 projected turboprop derivative of HPR.3
*[[Handley Page Marathon|HPR.5 Marathon (I)]] – 1949 Miles M.69 Marathon II test bed conversion
*[[Handley Page Marathon|HPR.5 Marathon (II)]] – 1953 Miles M.69 T.II navigation trainers
*HPR.6 – 1955 short-range high-density airliner project
*[[Handley Page Dart Herald|HPR.7 Dart Herald]] – 1957 turboprop airliner
*HPR.8 – 1959 car ferry project based on Dart Herald


== See also ==
==See also==
* [[Aerospace industry in the United Kingdom]]
*[[Aerospace industry in the United Kingdom]]
* [[Norman Thompson Flight Company]]
*[[Norman Thompson Flight Company]]
* [[Hedley Hazelden]] – Handley Page test pilot
*[[Hedley Hazelden]] – Handley Page test pilot


==References==
==References==
;Notes
;Notes
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
;Bibliography
;Bibliography
*Barnes, C.H. ''Handley Page Aircraft since 1907'' London:, 1987 (2nd Ed, Rev. Derek N James) {{ISBN|0 85177 803 8}}
*Barnes, C.H. ''Handley Page Aircraft since 1907'' London:, 1987 (2nd Ed, Rev. Derek N James) {{ISBN|0 85177 803 8}}
* Buttler, Tony. ''British Secret Projects: Fighters & Bombers 1935–1950''. Hinckley: Midland Publishing, 2004. {{ISBN|1-85780-179-2}}.
*Buttler, Tony. ''British Secret Projects: Fighters & Bombers 1935–1950''. Hinckley: Midland Publishing, 2004. {{ISBN|1-85780-179-2}}.


==External links==
==External links==
*{{Commonscatinline}}
{{commons category|Handley Page}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20121010040014/http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Aerospace/Handley-page/Aero51.htm Short history of the company written for the ''Centennial of Flight'']
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20121010040014/http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Aerospace/Handley-page/Aero51.htm Short history of the company written for the ''Centennial of Flight'']
*[http://www.musker.com/PrideandPriority.htm Pride and Priority, Musker, 2009 A history of the invention of the slotted or slatted wing]
*[http://www.musker.com/PrideandPriority.htm Pride and Priority, Musker, 2009 A history of the invention of the slotted or slatted wing]
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{{BAE Systems evolution}}
{{BAE Systems evolution}}
{{Aerospace industry in the United Kingdom}}
{{Aerospace industry in the United Kingdom}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Handley Page| ]]
[[Category:Handley Page| ]]
[[Category:Defunct aircraft manufacturers of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Defunct aircraft manufacturers of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1909]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1909]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1970]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies disestablished in 1970]]
[[Category:Aircraft industry in London]]
[[Category:Aircraft industry in London]]
[[Category:Defunct companies based in London]]
[[Category:Defunct companies based in London]]
[[Category:1909 establishments in England]]
[[Category:1909 establishments in England]]
[[Category:1970 disestablishments in England]]
[[Category:1970 disestablishments in England]]
[[Category:British companies disestablished in 1970]]
[[Category:British companies established in 1909]]

Latest revision as of 22:42, 6 April 2024

Handley Page Limited
IndustryAviation
Founded17 June 1909
FounderFrederick Handley Page
DefunctMarch 1970[1]
FateVoluntary liquidation
SuccessorScottish Aviation
HeadquartersCricklewood Aerodrome, Radlett Aerodrome
Key people
Hedley Hazelden, Charles Joy, Gustav Lachmann, Godfrey Lee, Reginald Stafford, George Volkert
SubsidiariesHandley Page Transport (until 1924)
Atlantic in flight, non-stop from New York to Chicago, 1919

Handley Page Limited was a British aerospace manufacturer. Founded by Frederick Handley Page (later Sir Frederick) in 1909, it was the United Kingdom's first publicly traded aircraft manufacturing company. It went into voluntary liquidation and ceased to exist in 1970. The company, based at Radlett Aerodrome in Hertfordshire, was noted for its pioneering role in aviation history and for producing heavy bombers and large airliners.

History

[edit]

Frederick Handley Page first experimented with and built several biplanes and monoplanes at premises in Woolwich, Fambridge and Barking Creek. His company, founded on 17 June 1909, became the first British public company to build aircraft.

In 1912, Handley Page established an aircraft factory at Cricklewood after moving from Barking.[2] Aircraft were built there, and flown from the company's adjacent airfield known as Cricklewood Aerodrome, which was later used by Handley Page Transport. The factory was later sold off to Oswald Stoll and converted into Britain's largest film studio, Cricklewood Studios.

World War I

[edit]

During the First World War, Handley Page produced a series of heavy bombers for the Royal Navy to bomb the German Zeppelin yards, with the ultimate intent of bombing Berlin in revenge for the Zeppelin attacks on London.[2] Handley Page had been asked by the Admiralty to produce a "bloody paralyser of an aeroplane".[citation needed] These aircraft included the O/100 of 1915, the O/400 of 1918 and the four-engined V/1500 with the range to reach Berlin. The V/1500 had only just entered operational service as the war ended in 1918.[2]

The Handley Page factory at Radlett Aerodrome employed women as part of the war effort, and was visited by royalty.

Interwar period

[edit]

In early 1919, a Handley Page V/1500 aircraft, dubbed Atlantic, was shipped to Newfoundland to attempt the world's first non-stop Transatlantic flight;[3] only to be beaten by a Vickers Vimy piloted by Alcock and Brown in June of that year. The Atlantic flew into New York City via Canada on 9 October 1919, carrying the first airmail from Canada to the United States of America.[4]

In the immediate postwar years, Handley Page modified some O/400's for passenger use, which they flew on the London-Paris route as Handley Page Transport. The V/1500 was considered too large to be practical at the time, but many design features of the V/1500 were later incorporated into an O/400 airframe to produce their first dedicated passenger design, the W.8[2] that led to a series of similar airliners, fitted with two or three engines, which, aside from being used by Handley Page Transport, were also exported to Belgium.[citation needed]

In 1924 Handley Page Transport merged with two other airlines to create Imperial Airways, as the UK's national airline service, which continued to use a number of the W.8, W.9 and W.10 series of airliners. Handley Page continued to develop large biplane airliners, including the luxurious Handley Page H.P.42, for use on Imperial routes to Africa and India.[citation needed]

Handley Page developed the Handley Page Slat (or slot), an auxiliary airfoil mounted ahead and above the wing, which formed a narrow gap which improved airflow at high angles of attack and improved low speed handling.[5] The leading edge slat was simultaneously designed by the German aerodynamicist Gustav Lachmann, who was later employed by Handley Page. The design was so successful that licensing fees to other companies were their main source of income in the early 1920s.

HP preference share certificate, 1927

In 1929, Cricklewood Aerodrome was closed and Handley Page moved the aircraft final assembly to Radlett Aerodrome. Cricklewood Aerodrome was taken over by Cricklewood Studios, the largest film studio in the UK at that time. Manufacture of aircraft parts and sub-assemblies continued until 1964 at Cricklewood when the remainder of the site was sold off and a Wickes home renovation store currently occupies the site.[citation needed]

World War II

[edit]

With the Second World War looming, Handley Page designed and produced the HP.52 Hampden bomber, which took part in the first British raid on Berlin.

In response to a 1936 government request for heavier, longer ranged aircraft, Handley Page tendered the HP.56 design powered by twin Rolls-Royce Vultures and this was ordered, along with what became the Avro Manchester. However the Vulture proved so troublesome that – years before the engine was abandoned by Rolls-Royce in 1940 – the Air Staff decided that the HP.56 should be fitted with four engines instead. Therefore, before reaching the prototype stage, the HP.56 design was reworked into the four-engined HP.57 Halifax.[6] The Halifax became the second most-prolific British heavy bomber of the war after the Avro Lancaster (itself essentially a four-engine development of the Manchester). Although in some respects (such as crew survivability) better than the Lancaster, the Halifax suffered in terms of altitude performance[7] and was redeployed toward the end of the war as a heavy transport and glider tug, with several variants being specifically built as such, including the HP.70 Halton.

Postwar

[edit]

After the war, the British Government sought tenders for jet bombers to carry the nation's nuclear deterrent. The three types produced were known as the V-Bombers, and Handley Page's contribution was the HP.80 Victor, a four-engined, crescent-winged design. This aircraft remained in service (as a tanker aircraft) well beyond the demise of the company which created it.

In 1947 Handley Page bought some of the assets of the bankrupt Miles Aircraft company. These assets include existing designs, tools and jigs, most notably for the Miles M.52 supersonic research aircraft, and the Miles site at Woodley, near Reading. The operation was named Handley Page (Reading) Ltd, a company constituted to buy and operate the assets formed out of the inactive Handley Page Transport Ltd. The most significant of the inherited designs became the Herald airliner. Designs from the Reading site used the initials HPR ("Handley Page (Reading)").

Demise

[edit]

Unlike other large British aircraft manufacturers, Handley Page resisted the government's pressure to merge into larger entities. By the late 1960s, the British aviation industry was dominated by two companies: Hawker Siddeley and the British Aircraft Corporation.[citation needed]

Unable to compete for government orders or build large commercial aircraft, Handley Page produced its final notable Handley Page design, the Jetstream. This was a small turboprop-powered commuter aircraft, with a pressurised cabin and a passenger capacity of 12 to 18. It was designed primarily for the United States "feederliner" market.[citation needed]

Although successful, Jetstream was too late to save Handley Page, and the company went into voluntary liquidation in March 1970 and was wound up after 61 years trading under the same name. The Jetstream lived on, the design being purchased and produced by Scottish Aviation at Prestwick, continuing after the company was bought by British Aerospace in 1977.[citation needed]

Sites

[edit]
Site of Cricklewood Factory
OS Grid Reference: TQ240862
Site of Radlett Aerodrome
OS Grid Reference: TL155038

Radlett Aerodrome was opened in 1929 as a grass aerodrome for Handley Page Civil Aircraft. Its runway was extended in 1939 to enable production of Halifax bombers. By the time of its closure the airfield had two runways:

  • 03/21 approximately 7,000 feet (2,100 m)
  • 15/33 approximately 2,500 feet (760 m)

Most of the towers, hangars and runways were demolished in the 1970s after the Company was terminated. The M25 Motorway now runs on the south side of the site, with Lafarge Aggregates now owning the remainder. The runway surface was removed and replaced with grass, but a shadow remains when viewed from the air.

The aerodrome was used in the 1962 film, The Iron Maiden.

Products

[edit]

Designations

[edit]

Handley Page originally used a letter sequence to designate types (i.e. A, B, C etc.). Beginning with the model E, the letter was used in combination with a slash and a number that referred to the installed horsepower, at least initially. However the 100 in O/100 indicated the type's 100-foot wingspan, while other designs it may or may not have been meaningful other than as a design sequence. By 1923, the company had come to the end of the alphabet and had begun reusing earlier letters, but this would have become confusing, so from 1924 they assigned the letters HP and a sequential number to indicate the model, with previous aircraft being retroactively assigned numbers in the new sequence, starting with the Type A as the HP.1. Thus the O/400 became the HP.16 and the W.8 the HP.18. Unbuilt projects were skipped from this sequence.

When the assets of Miles Aircraft were taken over, the latter's Reading design office used HPR for Handley Page Reading, followed by a number as with the HPR.1 Marathon.

Designs

[edit]

First Letter Designation Sequence (pre-1924)

[edit]
  • Type A – 1909-1910 "Bluebird" monoplane
  • Type B – 1909 biplane
  • Type C – 1910 monoplane, did not fly; rebuilt from Type A
  • Type D – 1911 "Antiseptic" monoplane
  • Type E – 1912 E/50 "Antiseptic" monoplane
  • Type F – 1912 F/70 military monoplane with side by side seating
  • Type G – 1913 G/100 crescent-wing biplane
  • Type H – 1913 H/70 and H/110 monoplane projects, developments of type E & F
  • Type I – not assigned
  • Type J - possibly a bomber
  • Type K – 1913 K/35 biplane project, scaled down type G
  • Type L – 1914 L/200 transatlantic biplane, never flew; scaled up Type K
  • Type M – 1914 M/200 coastal defense biplane project; land/seaplane derivative of L/200
    • Type MS/200 – 1914 seaplane derivative project of M/200
  • Type N – 1914 N/80 biplane project
  • Type O – 1915-1920 twin-engine O/100 & O/400 bombers and O/7, O/10 & O/11 airliners
  • Type P – 1916 P/320 biplane (later triplane) shipboard scout project
  • Type Q – not assigned
  • Type R – 1917 R/200 landplane/seaplane reconnaissance-fighter to Spec. N.2B
  • Type S – 1917 S/400 flying boat project, derivative of O/400
  • Type T – 1917 T/400 flying boat project; military flying boat derivative of O/400
  • Type T – 1922 Hanley biplane carrier torpedo bomber
  • Type Ta – 1924 Hendon biplane carrier torpedo-bomber
  • Type U – not assigned
  • Type V – V/1500, 1918 four engine heavy bomber
  • Type W – W/400 (later W/4), 1919 airliner; transport derivative of O/400
  • Type X – X/4, Airco DH.9A fitted with slotted monoplane wing
  • Type Y – not assigned
  • Type Z – not assigned

Second Letter Designation Sequence (1923)

[edit]
  • Type C/7 Handcross – 1924 biplane day bomber, letter reused
  • Type D/4 – HP.29 biplane transport project
  • Type D – HP.32 Hamlet
  • Type E – HP.31 Harrow
  • Type F – HP.37 shipboard fighter project to Spec. O.22/26
  • Type H – HP.34 Hare
  • Type M – HP.36 Hinaidi II

Numerical Designations (1924-1970)

[edit]
  • HP.1 – Type A monoplane
  • HP.2 – Type B biplane
  • HP.3 – Type C monoplane, never flew; rebuilt from HP.1
  • HP.4 – Type D monoplane
  • HP.5 – Type E monoplane
  • HP.6 – Type F monoplane
  • HP.7 – Type G biplane
  • HP.8 – Type L biplane, never flew
  • HP.9 – Type M coastal defense aircraft project
  • HP.10 – Type N biplane scout project
  • HP.11 – O/100 twin-engine bomber
  • HP.12 – O/400 twin-engine bomber
  • HP.13 – Type P biplane (later triplane) shipboard scout project
  • HP.14 – Type R prototype naval reconnaissance aircraft
  • HP.15 – V/1500 "Super Handley" four-engine bomber
  • HP.16 – W/400 airliner
  • HP.17 – Airco DH.9 fitted with wing slots
  • HP.18 Hamilton – W/8 airliner
  • HP.19 Hanley – torpedo bomber
  • HP.20 – Airco DH.9A fitted with slotted monoplane wing
  • HP.21 – Type S monoplane fighter for US Navy
  • HP.22 – single-seat sport monoplane for Lympne light aircraft trials
  • HP.23 – single-seat sport monoplane for Lympne light aircraft trials
  • HP.24 Hyderabad – biplane heavy bomber
  • HP.25 Hendon – torpedo bomber
  • HP.26 Hamilton – W/8 airliner
  • HP.27 Hampstead – W/9 airliner
  • HP.28 Handcross – biplane day bomber
  • HP.29 – D/4 biplane transport project
  • HP.30 – W/10 airliner
  • HP.31 Harrow – carrier-based torpedo bomber and reconnaissance aircraft
  • HP.32 Hamlet – six-passenger monoplane airliner
  • HP.33 Hinaidi I and Clive I – heavy bomber & transport
  • HP.34 Hare – high-altitude day bomber
  • HP.35 Clive II – heavy bomber
  • HP.36 Hinaidi II – twin-engine bomber
  • HP.37 – shipboard fighter project to Spec. O.22/26
  • HP.38 Heyford – prototype biplane heavy night bomber
  • HP.39 Gugnunc – experimental STOL/safety biplane
  • HP.40 – biplane seaplane project for Japan for 3MR5 design
  • HP.41 – biplane torpedo bomber project to Spec. M.5/28; joint tender with Blackburn
  • HP.42 – eastern biplane airliner
  • HP.43 – three-engine biplane bomber transport to Spec. C.16/28; later rebuilt as HP.51
  • HP.44 Hinaidi III – twin-engine bomber; proposed re-engining of HP.36
  • HP.45 – western biplane airliner
  • HP.46 – biplane torpedo bomber to Spec. M.1/30
  • HP.47 – general purpose monoplane to Spec. G.4/31
  • HP.48 – reserved but not used
  • HP.49 – reserved but not used
  • HP.50 Heyford – production variant, biplane heavy night bomber
  • HP.51 – prototype monoplane bomber-transport to Spec. C.26/31
  • HP.52 Hampden I – medium bomber
  • HP.53 – bomber project for Sweden, led to the HP.53 Hereford
  • HP.54 Harrow – bomber-transport
  • HP.55 – twin-engine heavy bomber design to Spec. B.1/35
  • HP.56 – twin-engine heavy bomber design to Spec. P.13/36
  • HP.57 Halifax Mk.I – four-engine heavy bomber
  • HP.58 Halifax Mk.II – four-engine heavy bomber project; cancelled due to armament problems, name transferred to HP.59
  • HP.59 Halifax Mk.II – four-engine heavy bomber
  • HP.60 Halifax Mk.IV – heavy bomber project for B.1/39, not built
  • HP.61 Halifax Mk.III – four-engine heavy bomber
  • HP.62 Hampden II – medium bomber
  • HP.63 Halifax V – four-engine heavy bomber
  • HP.64 Halifax transport – airliner to Spec. C.15/43
  • HP.65 Halifax IV "Super-Halifax" – project with low drag 113 ft (34 m) wing, turbo supercharged Hercules engines.[8]
  • HP.66 Hastings B.I and B.II – Halifax project to Spec. B.27/43, provisional name, abandoned at end of war.
  • HP.67 Hastings C1 and C2 – military transport
  • HP.68 Hermes I – airliner
  • HP.69 Hastings B.II – Halifax project with turbo-blower exhaust Hercules 100, provisional name. Order cancelled 1944[9]
  • HP.70 Halifax C.VIII & Halton – transport & airliner
  • HP.71 Halifax A.IX – paratroop transport/glider tug
  • HP.72 – military transport project to Spec. C.15/45
  • HP.72A – four-engine swept wing jet bomber project; led to HP.80 Victor
  • HP.73 Hastings C.III – transport project
  • HP.74 Hermes II – airliner developed from the HP.68 Hermes I
  • HP.75 Manx – tailless research aircraft for possible transport, bomber and fighter aircraft projects.
  • HP.75A – unarmed high-speed swept wing jet bomber project; led to and eclipsed by the HP.72A
  • HP.76 – 34 passenger, twin turboprop airliner to Brabazon 2B
  • HP.77 – as HP.76 but with two Bristol Theseus engines to Brabazon 2B
  • HP.78 – four-engine turboprop airliner project to Brabazon 2B; four-engine derivative of HP.76
  • HP.79 Hermes III – four-engine turboprop airliner project; originally designated HP.74
  • HP.80 Victor – four-engine bomber to Spec. B.35/46
  • HP.81 Hermes IV – airliner
  • HP.82 Hermes V – airliner
  • HP.83 – Hermes airliner to Spec. C.2/47 (Brabazon III) with four Bristol Hercules 663 engines
  • HP.84 – airliner to Spec. C.2/47
  • HP.85 – Hermes airliner to Spec. C.2/47 with two Bristol Proteus coupled turboprops and single-spar wing
  • HP.86 – Hermes airliner to Spec. C.2/47 with four Bristol Hercules 663 engines and single-spar wing
  • HP.87 – 1/3 scale radio-controlled Victor glider
  • HP.88 – Victor research aircraft, wings and tail on Supermarine Attacker
  • HP.89 Hastings VI – transport project
  • HP.90 Hermes IA – project civil combi freighter
  • HP.91 Hermes VI – lightened Hermes IA project
  • HP.92 Hermes VII – as HP.91 but with four Rolls-Royce Merlin engines
  • HP.93 – Dufaylite wing for Miles Messenger
  • HP.94 Hastings C.4 – VIP transport project to Spec. C.115P
  • HP.95 Hastings C.3 – transport for RNZAF
  • HP.96 – Victor military transport project
  • HP.97 – Victor civil airliner project
  • HP.98 – Victor target-marker project
  • HP.99 – "Daisy Cutter" low-level bomber project
  • HP.100 – long-range, high-speed reconnaissance-bomber to Spec. OR.330
  • HP.101 – proposed military version of HP.97
  • HP.102 – boundary level control airliner; superseded by HP.108
  • HP.103 – BLC conversion of Jet Provost
  • HP.104 – phase 3 Victor bomber project
  • HP.105 – BLC military transport to Spec. C.132D
  • HP.106 – missile design studies
  • HP.107 – supersonic bomber project to Spec. OR.330
  • HP.108 – four-engine jetliner, rival to Boeing 707
  • HP.109 – supersonic transport project
  • HP.110 – supersonic transport project
  • HP.111 – strategic jet transport/freighter project, partially based on Victor
  • HP.111C – civil version of HP.111
  • HP.112 – "Flying Jeep" project; eclipsed by HP.118
  • HP.113 – "laminarized" 12-seat commuter project
  • HP.114 – phase 6 Victor bomber project
  • HP.115 – low speed delta wing research aircraft
  • HP.116 – tactical freighter studies
  • HP.117 – 200-300 passenger flying wing airliner project
  • HP.118 – VTOL "Jumping Jeep" project; eclipsed by HP.120
  • HP.119 – 3/10 scale model for HP.117
  • HP.120 – 2-man VTOL convertible "Jumping Jeep" project
  • HP.121 – not used to avoid confusion with de Havilland DH.121
  • HP.122 – VTOL transport project to Spec. OR.351
  • HP.123 – HP.111-based BLC military tactical transport project to Spec. OR.351
  • HP.124 – Military Herald project
  • HP.125 – tactical VTOL variant of HP.124 to NATO requirement NMBR-4
  • HP.126 – All-Wing Aerobus 100 passenger airliner
  • HP.127 – Jet Herald feederliner development
  • HP.128 – short-range supersonic transport project
  • HP.129 – Mini Herald 30 passenger feederliner
  • HP.130 – BLC conversion of HS.125
  • HP.131 – improved HP.124 with ramp; offered to Belgium in 1965 along with HP.132 and HP.133
  • HP.132 – STOL variant of HP.131
  • HP.133 – STOL variant of HP.131; offered to Belgium Air Force in 1965, but rejected
  • HP.134 – Ogee Aerobus high-speed airliner
  • HP.135 – high-wing laminar-flow military transport
  • HP.136 – not used to avoid confusion with de Havilland DH.136
  • HP.137 Jetstream – twin-turboprop light transport aircraft

Handley Page (Reading) designs

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  • HPR.1 Marathon – 1948 Miles M.60 transport
  • HPR.1 (II) – 1950 Basic Trainer derivative project
  • HPR.2 Basic Trainer – 1950 basic trainer to Spec. T.16/48
  • HPR.3 Herald – 1952 airliner prototype; converted to Dart Herald standard
  • HPR.4 Herald – projected production version of HPR.3
  • HPR.4 (II) – 1953 projected turboprop derivative of HPR.3
  • HPR.5 Marathon (I) – 1949 Miles M.69 Marathon II test bed conversion
  • HPR.5 Marathon (II) – 1953 Miles M.69 T.II navigation trainers
  • HPR.6 – 1955 short-range high-density airliner project
  • HPR.7 Dart Herald – 1957 turboprop airliner
  • HPR.8 – 1959 car ferry project based on Dart Herald

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Notes
  1. ^ Not dissolved until 3 June 2001 Companies House
  2. ^ a b c d "Handley Page - Graces Guide". www.gracesguide.co.uk.
  3. ^ "HP_fabric". www.kaisersbunker.com. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  4. ^ "Town of Parrsboro". Archived from the original on 21 December 2007. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  5. ^ F. Handley Page "Developments In Aircraft Design By The Use Of Slotted Wings" FLIGHT, 22 December 1921, page 844 and page 845
  6. ^ Buttler p102-104
  7. ^ Buttler p129
  8. ^ Buttler p131
  9. ^ Buttler p132
Bibliography
  • Barnes, C.H. Handley Page Aircraft since 1907 London:, 1987 (2nd Ed, Rev. Derek N James) ISBN 0 85177 803 8
  • Buttler, Tony. British Secret Projects: Fighters & Bombers 1935–1950. Hinckley: Midland Publishing, 2004. ISBN 1-85780-179-2.
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