Now all roads lead to France and heavy is the tread
Of the living; but the dead returning lightly dance.
Edward Thomas, Roads

Saturday, September 15, 2018

Who Was Handley Page?


Frederick Handley Page (1885–1962) was a British aircraft designer and manufacturer, who opened the world's first aircraft factory in 1909.  During the war Handley Page specialized in building bombers, culminating in the O/400 twin-engined bomber and the first British four-engine bomber, the V/1500. These aircraft were intended to undertake long-range strategic bombing.  His post-WWI business focused on commercial aviation.  In the Second World War his company built the Halifax bomber and military transports, and in the 1950s, returning once more to bombers, produced the Victor jet-powered strategic bomber.


Sources:  Who's Who in World War One, Britannica Online, the RAF Museum


The Handley Page O/400

The Handley Page V/1500

1 comment:

  1. In the United States, the Grand Rapids Airplane Company formed by 13 furniture companies produced more Handley Page Bombers than the British did. Most were in route to France when the war ended.

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