Vickers Wellington serial numbers

[ThomasP]

I ran across this a while ago:

I thought this meant:
Wellington Mk III would be listed as airframe Type 417 with Mod.423
Wellington Mk II would be listed as airframe Type 406 with Mod.423
Wellington Mk IC would be listed as airframe Type 416 with Mod.453 (if different Mod.# from the Mod.423)

 

[33k in the air]

I ran across this a while ago:

View attachment 703410

I thought this meant:
Wellington Mk III would be listed as airframe Type 417 with Mod.423
Wellington Mk II would be listed as airframe Type 406 with Mod.423
Wellington Mk IC would be listed as airframe Type 416 with Mod.453 (if different Mod.# from the Mod.423)

I've seen similar in other ORBs. It seems, however, that the terms "Mod" and "Type" may be interchangeable here. According to Murray's Vickers Wellington — 1936 to 1953 (all marks and models) — Owners' Workshop Manual regarding Wellingtons carrying the 4,000-lb bomb (p.100):

The 4,000-lb High Capacity 'Cookie' was designed for maximum blast effect. For carriage in the Wellington, the standard bomb beam had to be removed entirely, and a new beam was installed above the bomb bay roof, attached to the leading edge frame and a new widened spar box on the centreline of the main spar. A 4,000-lb Type F bomb slip was attached to this beam and positioned just above the bomb bay roof, allowing the 'Cookie' to lie flush with the roof, with crutches attached to the beam projecting down into the bomb bay. Even in this position, the bomb still protruded a few inches below the bottom of the aircraft, so the bomb doors underneath the bomb were removed entirely, and a wooden framework was added in the bomb bay for the remaining doors to rest against. On release, the bomb simply fell through the hole.

This conversion was coded Type 423, and was applied to examples of several marks of aircraft (these aircraft were not given unique mark numbers) on the production line. Mk IIs W5389, W5399, and W5400 were the first aircraft to be converted. Often only one aircraft in a squadron would carry a 'Cookie', this aircraft taking off last in case of a mishap.

 

[33k in the air]

Bond
NC433 = 1 x Mk 13
NC434–NC439 = 6 x Mk 10
NC440 = 1 x Mk 13
Robertson
NC433–NC440 = 8 x Mk 13
Serial registers agree with Robertson (NC434 to 438 to French Air Force in 1946)

Bond
NC472–NC481 = 10 x Mk 10
NC482–NC489 = 8 x Mk 13
Robertson
NC472–NC480 = 9 x Mk 10
NC481–NC489 = 9 x Mk 13
Serial registers agree with Bond (NC482 to 486 to French Air Force in 1946) so +1 X, -1 XIII to Robertson totals

Bond
NC503 = 1 x Mk 13
NC504–NC509 = 6 x Mk 10
NC510 = 1 x Mk 13
Robertson
NC503–NC510 = 8 x Mk 13
Serial registers agree with Robertson

Bond
NC563–NC570 = 8 x Mk 10
NC571–NC576 = 6 x Mk 13
Robertson
NC563–NC571 = 9 x Mk 10
NC572–NC576 = 5 x Mk 13
Serial registers agree with Bond so -1 X, +1 XIII to Robertson totals, reversing the earlier change.

Bond
PG286–PG287 = 2 x Mk 10
PG288–PG293 = 6 x Mk 14
PG294–PG326 = 33 x Mk 10
Robertson
PG286–PG297 = 12 x Mk 10
PG298–PG303 = 6 x Mk 14
PG304–PG326 = 23 x Mk 10
Serial registers agree with Robertson

Bond
PG350–PG355 = 6 x Mk 10*
Robertson
PG350–PG355 = 6 x Mk 18
Serial registers agree with Robertson (and you)

Bond
RP538–RP590 = 53 x Mk 10
Robertson
RP538–RP561 = 24 x Mk 10
RP565–RP590 = 26 x Mk 10
Serial registers agree with Robertson

Where Robertson disagrees with the serial registers a double check confirms they are in the book and are not due to an incorrect transcription.

Thanks for checking those.

Applying these corrections, along with the others noted in this thread, I get the following totals by mark according to the serial number batches:

0,0001 = prototype
0,0183 = Mk 1
,00187 = Mk 1A
02,689 = Mk 1C
,00400 = Mk 2
01,518 = Mk 3
,00220 = Mk 4
,00001 = Mk 5
,00064 = Mk 6
,00394 = Mk 8
03,803 = Mk 10
,00180 = Mk 11
,00058 = Mk 12
,00844 = Mk 13
,00841 = Mk 14
,00080 = Mk 18
11,463 = total

I'll post the serial number batches for each mark in subsequent posts so anyone interested can double check the numbers against any sources they might have.

 

[33k in the air]

Prototype (1)
K4049 = 1

Mark 1 (183)
L4212 – L4311 = 100
L4317 – L4391 = 75
L7770 – L7772 = 3
R2699 – R2703 = 5

Mark 1A (187)
L7773 – L7789 = 17
N2865 – N2914 = 50
N2935 – N2964 = 30
N2980 – N3019 = 40
P2515 – P2532 = 18
P9205 – P9236 = 32

 

[33k in the air]

Mark 1C (2,689)
AD589 – AD608 = 20
AD624 – AD653 = 30
BB455 – BB460 = 6
BB462 – BB465 = 4
BB467 – BB470 = 4
BB472 – BB475 = 4
BB477 – BB480 = 4
BB482 – BB484 = 3
BB497 – BB502 = 6
BB504 – BB512 = 9
BB514 – BB516 = 3
DV411 – DV458 = 48
DV473 – DV522 = 50
DV536 – DV579 = 44
DV593 – DV624 = 32
DV638 – DV678 = 41
DV694 – DV740 = 47
DV757 – DV786 = 30
DV799 – DV846 = 48
DV864 – DV898 = 35
DV914 – DV953 = 40
ES980 – ES985 = 6
ES987 – ES995 = 9
HD942 – HD991 = 50
HE101 – HE134 = 34
HE146 = 1
HF829 – HF837 = 9
HF839 – HF849 = 11
HF851 – HF853 = 3
HF855 – HF856 = 2
HF858 – HF859 = 2
HF861 – HF862 = 2
HF864 – HF865 = 2
HF867 – HF868 = 2
HF881 – HF882 = 2
HF884 – HF885 = 2
HF887 – HF888 = 2
HF890 – HF891 = 2
HF893 – HF894 = 2
HF896 – HF900 = 5
HF902 – HF903 = 2
HF905 – HF906 = 2
HF908 – HF909 = 2
HF911 – HF912 = 2
HF914 – HF915 = 2
HF917 – HF918 = 2
HF920 – HF921 = 2
HX364 – HX371 = 8
HX373 – HX375 = 3
HX377 – HX378 = 2
HX380 = 1
HX382 = 1
HX384 – HX385 = 2
HX387 = 1
HX389 – HX390 = 2
HX392 – HX393 = 2
HX395 = 1
HX397 = 1
HX399 – HX400 = 2
HX402 = 1
HX417 = 1
HX421 = 1
HX423 = 1
HX425 = 1
HX429 = 1
HX431 = 1
HX433 = 1
HX435 = 1
HX438 = 1
HX440 = 1
HX442 = 1
HX446 – HX447 = 2
HX449 = 1
HX451 = 1
HX468 = 1
HX470 = 1
HX472 = 1
HX476 = 1
HX478 = 1
HX480 = 1
HX483 – HX484 = 2
HX486 = 1
HX488 = 1
HX506 = 1
HX508 = 1
HX510 = 1
HX514 = 1
HX516 = 1
HX518 = 1
HX521 = 1
HX523 = 1
HX525 = 1
HX527 = 1
HX529 = 1
HX533 = 1
HX536 = 1
HX558 = 1
HX560 = 1
HX564 = 1
HX567 = 1
HX569 = 1
HX571 = 1
HX573 = 1
HX577 = 1
HX580 = 1
HX583 = 1
HX585 = 1
HX589 = 1
HX591 = 1
HX594 = 1
HX597 = 1
HX601 = 1
HX603 = 1
HX606 = 1
HX627 = 1
HX631 = 1
HX633 = 1
HX635 = 1
HX637 = 1
HX639 = 1
HX643 = 1
HX645 = 1
HX648 = 1
HX651 = 1
HX655 = 1
HX670 = 1
HX673 = 1
HX676 = 1
HX680 = 1
HX682 = 1
HX685 = 1
HX688 = 1
HX710 = 1
HX712 = 1
HX714 = 1
HX716 = 1
HX718 = 1
HX722 = 1
HX724 = 1
HX727 = 1
HX730 = 1
HX734 = 1
HX736 = 1
HX739 = 1
HX742 = 1
HX746 = 1
HX748 = 1
HX750 = 1
HX767 = 1
HX769 = 1
HX773 = 1
HX775 = 1
HX778 = 1
HX781 = 1
HX785 = 1
L7790 – L7819 = 30
L7840 – L7874 = 35
L7885 – L7899 = 15
LA965 = 1
LA968 = 1
LA973 = 1
LA978 = 1
LA984 = 1
LA988 = 1
LA994 = 1
LB110 = 1
LB116 = 1
LB120 = 1
LB126 = 1
LB131 = 1
LB141 = 1
LB148 = 1
LB152 = 1
LB174 = 1
N2735 – N2784 = 50
N2800 – N2829 = 30
N2840 – N2859 = 20
P9237 – P9250 = 14
P9265 – P9300 = 36
R1000 – R1049 = 50
R1060 – R1099 = 40
R1135 – R1184 = 50
R1210 – R1219 = 10
R1221 – R1254 = 34
R1265 – R1299 = 35
R1320 – R1349 = 30
R1365 – R1389 = 25
R1391 – R1414 = 24
R1435 – R1474 = 40
R1491 – R1509 = 19
R1511 – R1514 = 4
R1516 – R1519 = 4
R1521 – R1524 = 4
R1526 – R1529 = 4
R1531 – R1534 = 4
R1536 – R1539 = 4
R1586 – R1589 = 4
R1591 – R1609 = 19
R1611 – R1614 = 4
R1616 – R1619 = 4
R1621 – R1624 = 4
R1626 – R1629 = 4
R1640 – R1649 = 10
R1651 – R1654 = 4
R1656 – R1669 = 14
R1696 – R1704 = 9
R1706 – R1714 = 9
R1716 – R1724 = 9
R1726 – R1729 = 4
R1757 – R1764 = 8
R1766 – R1774 = 9
R1776 – R1784 = 9
R1786 – R1794 = 9
R1796 – R1806 = 11
R3150 – R3179 = 30
R3195 – R3239 = 45
R3275 – R3299 = 25
T2458 – T2477 = 20
T2501 – T2520 = 20
T2541 – T2580 = 40
T2606 – T2625 = 20
T2701 – T2750 = 50
T2801 – T2850 = 50
T2873 – T2918 = 46
T2920 — T2922 = 3
T2951 — T2976 = 26
T2978 = 1
T2980 — T2981 = 2
T2983 — T2987 = 5
T2989 — T2997 = 9
T2999 — T3000 = 2
W5612 – W5614 = 3
W5616 – W5618 = 3
W5620 – W5622 = 3
W5624 – W5630 = 7
W5644 = 1
W5646 = 1
W5648 = 1
W5650 = 1
W5652 = 1
W5654 = 1
W5656 = 1
W5658 = 1
W5660 = 1
W5663 – W5670 = 8
W5673 = 1
W5675 = 1
W5677 = 1
W5679 – W5690 = 12
W5703 – W5724 = 22
W5726 – W5727 = 2
W5729 = 1
X3160 – X3179 = 20
X3192 – X3221 = 30
X9600 – X9644 = 45
X9658 – X9707 = 50
X9733 – X9767 = 35
X9785 – X9834 = 50
X9871 – X9890 = 20
X9905 – X9954 = 50
X9974 – X9993 = 20
Z1040 – Z1054 = 15
Z1066 – Z1115 = 50
Z1139 – Z1181 = 43
Z8704 = 1
Z8709 = 1
Z8711 = 1
Z8714 = 1
Z8716 = 1
Z8718 = 1
Z8720 = 1
Z8722 = 1
Z8724 = 1
Z8726 = 1
Z8728 – Z8736 = 9
Z8761 – Z8810 = 50
Z8827 – Z8871 = 45
Z8891 = 1
Z8893 – Z8894 = 2
Z8896 – Z8897 = 2
Z8899 – Z8901 = 3
Z8903 – Z8905 = 3
Z8907 – Z8910 = 4
Z8942 – Z8991 = 50
Z9016 – Z9045 = 30
Z9095 – Z9114 = 20

 

[33k in the air]

Mark 2 (400)
W5352 – W5401 = 50
W5414 – W5463 = 50
W5476 – W5500 = 25
W5513 – W5537 = 25
W5550 – W5598 = 49
W5611 = 1
Z8328 – Z8377 = 50
Z8397 – Z8441 = 45
Z8489 – Z8538 = 50
Z8567 – Z8601 = 35
Z8643 – Z8662 = 20

Mark 3 (1,518)
BJ581 – BJ625 = 45
BJ642 – BJ675 = 34
BJ688 – BJ730 = 43
BJ753 – BJ801 = 49
BJ818 – BJ847 = 30
BJ876 – BJ922 = 47
BJ958 – BJ991 = 34
BK123 – BK166 = 44
BK179 – BK214 = 36
BK234 – BK281 = 48
BK295 – BK315 = 21
BK330 – BK368 = 39
BK385 – BK408 = 24
BK426 – BK471 = 46
BK489 – BK517 = 29
BK534 – BK564 = 31
DF542 – DF579 = 38
DF594 – DF608 = 15
DF610 – DF642 = 33
DF664 – DF685 = 22
DF687 – DF700 = 14
DF702 – DF709 = 8
DF727 – DF729 = 3
DF731 – DF739 = 9
DF741 – DF743 = 3
HF112 = 1
HF609 – HF613 = 5
HF615 – HF621 = 7
HF623 – HF625 = 3
HF627 – HF629 = 3
HF631 – HF633 = 3
HF635 – HF637 = 3
HF639 – HF641 = 3
HF643 – HF645 = 3
HF647 – HF649 = 3
HF666 – HF668 = 3
HF670 – HF703 = 34
HF718 – HF719 = 2
HF721 – HF722 = 2
HF724 – HF725 = 2
HF727 – HF728 = 2
HF730 – HF731 = 2
HF733 – HF734 = 2
HF736 – HF738 = 3
HF740 – HF742 = 3
HF744 – HF746 = 3
HF748 – HF750 = 3
HF752 – HF754 = 3
HF756 – HF758 = 3
HF760 – HF762 = 3
HF764 = 1
HF791 – HF792 = 2
HF794 – HF796 = 3
HF798 – HF802 = 5
HF806 – HF807 = 2
HF809 – HF810 = 2
HF812 – HF816 = 5
HZ103 – HZ104 = 2
HZ106 – HZ107 = 2
HZ109 – HZ110 = 2
HZ112 – HZ113 = 2
HZ115 – HZ116 = 2
HZ118 – HZ119 = 2
HZ121 – HZ122 = 2
HZ124 – HZ125 = 2
HZ127 – HZ128 = 2
HZ130 – HZ131 = 2
HZ133 – HZ134 = 2
HZ136 – HZ137 = 2
HZ139 – HZ140 = 2
HZ145 – HZ146 = 2
HZ148 – HZ150 = 3
HZ173 – HZ174 = 2
HZ176 – HZ177 = 2
HZ179 – HZ180 = 2
HZ182 – HZ183 = 2
HZ185 – HZ186 = 2
HZ188 – HZ189 = 2
HZ191 – HZ192 = 2
HZ194 – HZ195 = 2
HZ197 – HZ198 = 2
HZ200 – HZ201 = 2
HZ203 – HZ204 = 2
HZ206 – HZ207 = 2
HZ209 = 1
HZ242 = 1
HZ244 – HZ245 = 2
HZ247 – HZ248 = 2
HZ250 = 1
X3222 – X3226 = 5
X3275 – X3289 = 15
X3304 – X3313 = 10
X3330 – X3374 = 45
X3387 – X3426 = 40
X3445 – X3489 = 45
X3538 – X3567 = 30
X3584 – X3608 = 25
X3633 – X3677 = 45
X3694 – X3728 = 35
X3741 – X3765 = 25
X3784 – X3823 = 40
X3866 – X3890 = 25
X3923 – X3967 = 45
X3984 – X4003 = 20
Z1562 – Z1578 = 17
Z1592 – Z1626 = 35
Z1648 – Z1697 = 50
Z1717 – Z1751 = 35

 

[33k in the air]

Mark 4 (220)
R1220 = 1
R1390 = 1
R1490 = 1
R1510 = 1
R1515 = 1
R1520 = 1
R1525 = 1
R1530 = 1
R1535 = 1
R1585 = 1
R1590 = 1
R1610 = 1
R1615 = 1
R1620 = 1
R1625 = 1
R1650 = 1
R1655 = 1
R1695 = 1
R1705 = 1
R1715 = 1
R1725 = 1
R1765 = 1
R1775 = 1
R1785 = 1
R1795 = 1
Z1182 – Z1183 = 2
Z1202 – Z1221 = 20
Z1243 – Z1292 = 50
Z1311 – Z1345 = 35
Z1375 – Z1424 = 50
Z1459 – Z1496 = 38

Mark 5 (1)
W5796 = 1

Mark 6 (64)
W5795 = 1 (prototype)
DR471 – DR479 = 9 (Mark 6A)
W5797 – W5815 = 19 (Mark 6A)
DR480 – DR504 = 25 (Mark 6G)
DR519 – DR528 = 10 (Mark 6G)

 

[33k in the air]

Mark 8 (394)
BB461 = 1
BB466 = 1
BB471 = 1
BB476 = 1
BB481 = 1
BB503 = 1
BB513 = 1
ES986 = 1
HF828 = 1
HF838 = 1
HF850 = 1
HF854 = 1
HF857 = 1
HF860 = 1
HF863 = 1
HF866 = 1
HF869 = 1
HF883 = 1
HF886 = 1
HF889 = 1
HF892 = 1
HF895 = 1
HF901 = 1
HF904 = 1
HF907 = 1
HF910 = 1
HF913 = 1
HF916 = 1
HF919 = 1
HF922 = 1
HX372 = 1
HX376 = 1
HX379 = 1
HX381 = 1
HX383 = 1
HX386 = 1
HX388 = 1
HX391 = 1
HX394 = 1
HX396 = 1
HX398 = 1
HX401 = 1
HX403 = 1
HX418 – HX420 = 3
HX422 = 1
HX424 = 1
HX426 – HX428 = 3
HX430 = 1
HX432 = 1
HX434 = 1
HX436 – HX437 = 2
HX439 = 1
HX441 = 1
HX443 – HX445 = 3
HX448 = 1
HX450 = 1
HX452 = 1
HX466 – HX467 = 2
HX469 = 1
HX471 = 1
HX473 – HX475 = 3
HX477 = 1
HX479 = 1
HX481 – HX482 = 2
HX485 = 1
HX487 = 1
HX489 = 1
HX504 – HX505 = 2
HX507 = 1
HX509 = 1
HX511 – HX513 = 3
HX515 = 1
HX517 = 1
HX519 – HX520 = 2
HX522 = 1
HX524 = 1
HX526 = 1
HX528 = 1
HX530 – HX532 = 3
HX534 – HX535 = 2
HX537 – HX538 = 2
HX559 = 1
HX561 – HX563 = 3
HX565 – HX566 = 2
HX568 = 1
HX570 = 1
HX572 = 1
HX574 – HX576 = 3
HX578 – HX579 = 2
HX581 – HX582 = 2
HX584 = 1
HX586 – HX588 = 3
HX590 = 1
HX592 – HX593 = 2
HX595 – HX596 = 2
HX598 – HX600 = 3
HX602 = 1
HX604 – HX605 = 2
HX625 – HX626 = 2
HX628 – HX630 = 3
HX632 = 1
HX634 = 1
HX636 = 1
HX638 = 1
HX640 – HX642 = 3
HX644 = 1
HX646 – HX647 = 2
HX649 – HX650 = 2
HX652 – HX654 = 3
HX656 = 1
HX671 – HX672 = 2
HX674 – HX675 = 2
HX677 – HX679 = 3
HX681 = 1
HX683 – HX684 = 2
HX686 – HX687 = 2
HX689 – HX690 = 2
HX709 = 1
HX711 = 1
HX713 = 1
HX715 = 1
HX717 = 1
HX719 – HX721 = 3
HX723 = 1
HX725 – HX726 = 2
HX728 – HX729 = 2
HX731 – HX733 = 3
HX735 = 1
HX737 – HX738 = 2
HX740 – HX741 = 2
HX743 – HX745 = 3
HX747 = 1
HX749 = 1
HX751 = 1
HX768 = 1
HX770 – HX772 = 3
HX774 = 1
HX776 – HX777 = 2
HX779 – HX780 = 2
HX782 – HX784 = 3
HX786 = 1
LA964 = 1
LA966 – LA967 = 2
LA969 – LA972 = 4
LA974 – LA977 = 4
LA979 – LA983 = 5
LA985 – LA987 = 3
LA989 – LA993 = 5
LA995 – LA998 = 4
LB111 – LB115 = 5
LB117 – LB119 = 3
LB121 – LB125 = 5
LB127 – LB130 = 4
LB132 – LB140 = 9
LB142 – LB147 = 6
LB149 – LB151 = 3
LB153 – LB156 = 4
LB169 – LB173 = 5
LB175 – LB197 = 23
LB213 – LB251 = 39
T2919 = 1
T2977 = 1
T2979 = 1
T2982 = 1
T2988 = 1
T2998 = 1
W5615 = 1
W5619 = 1
W5623 = 1
W5631 = 1
W5645 = 1
W5647 = 1
W5649 = 1
W5651 = 1
W5653 = 1
W5655 = 1
W5657 = 1
W5659 = 1
W5661 – W5662 = 2
W5671 – W5672 = 2
W5674 = 1
W5676 = 1
W5678 = 1
W5725 = 1
W5728 = 1
W5730 – W5735 = 6
Z8702 – Z8703 = 2
Z8705 – Z8708 = 4
Z8710 = 1
Z8712 – Z8713 = 2
Z8715 = 1
Z8717 = 1
Z8719 = 1
Z8721 = 1
Z8723 = 1
Z8725 = 1
Z8727 = 1
Z8892 = 1
Z8895 = 1
Z8898 = 1
Z8902 = 1
Z8906 = 1

 

[33k in the air]

Mark 10 (3,803)
DF609 = 1
DF686 = 1
DF701 = 1
DF730 = 1
DF740 = 1
HE147 – HE184 = 38
HE197 – HE244 = 48
HE258 – HE306 = 49
HE318 – HE353 = 36
HE365 – HE398 = 34
HE410 – HE447 = 38
HE459 – HE508 = 50
HE513 – HE556 = 44
HE568 – HE615 = 48
HE627 – HE667 = 41
HE679 – HE715 = 37
HE727 – HE772 = 46
HE784 – HE833 = 50
HE845 – HE873 = 29
HE898 – HE931 = 34
HE946 – HE995 = 50
HF452 – HF495 = 44
HF513 – HF545 = 33
HF567 – HF606 = 40
HF614 = 1
HF622 = 1
HF626 = 1
HF630 = 1
HF634 = 1
HF638 = 1
HF642 = 1
HF646 = 1
HF650 = 1
HF669 = 1
HF723 = 1
HF726 = 1
HF729 = 1
HF732 = 1
HF735 = 1
HF739 = 1
HF743 = 1
HF747 = 1
HF751 = 1
HF755 = 1
HF759 = 1
HF763 = 1
HF793 = 1
HF797 = 1
HF805 = 1
HF808 = 1
HF811 = 1
HZ102 = 1
HZ105 = 1
HZ108 = 1
HZ111 = 1
HZ114 = 1
HZ117 = 1
HZ120 = 1
HZ123 = 1
HZ126 = 1
HZ129 = 1
HZ132 = 1
HZ135 = 1
HZ138 = 1
HZ141 = 1
HZ144 = 1
HZ147 = 1
HZ175 = 1
HZ181 = 1
HZ187 = 1
HZ193 = 1
HZ199 = 1
HZ205 = 1
HZ243 = 1
HZ249 = 1
HZ255 – HZ273 = 19
HZ277 – HZ282 = 6
HZ300 – HZ305 = 6
HZ309 – HZ314 = 6
HZ353 – HZ358 = 6
HZ362 – HZ367 = 6
HZ371 – HZ376 = 6
HZ398 – HZ403 = 6
HZ410 – HZ415 = 6
HZ422 – HZ427 = 6
HZ434 – HZ439 = 6
HZ467 – HZ487 = 21
HZ513 – HZ521 = 9
HZ528 – HZ533 = 6
HZ540 – HZ545 = 6
HZ552 – HZ554 = 3
HZ570 – HZ572 = 3
HZ579 – HZ582 = 4
HZ713 – HZ720 = 8
HZ809 – HZ818 = 10
HZ941 – HZ950 = 10
JA111 – JA140 = 30
JA185 – JA194 = 10
JA341 – JA352 = 12
JA448 – JA481 = 34
JA497 – JA512 = 16
JA519 – JA534 = 16
LN157 – LN189 = 33
LN221 – LN248 = 28
LN261 – LN303 = 43
LN317 – LN353 = 37
LN369 – LN409 = 41
LN423 – LN468 = 46
LN481 – LN516 = 36
LN529 – LN571 = 43
LN583 – LN622 = 40
LN635 – LN676 = 42
LN689 – LN723 = 35
LN736 – LN778 = 43
LN791 – LN823 = 33
LN836 – LN879 = 44
LN893 – LN936 = 44
LN948 – LN989 = 42
LP113 – LP156 = 44
LP169 – LP213 = 45
LP226 – LP268 = 43
LP281 – LP314 = 34
LP328 – LP369 = 42
LP381 – LP415 = 35
LP428 – LP469 = 42
LP483 – LP526 = 44
LP539 – LP581 = 43
LP595 – LP628 = 34
LP640 – LP686 = 47
LP699 – LP733 = 35
LP748 – LP788 = 41
LP802 – LP849 = 48
LP863 – LP889 = 27
LP901 – LP930 = 30
LP943 – LP986 = 44
LR110 – LR142 = 33
LR156 – LR164 = 9
LR168 – LR183 = 16
LR195 – LR210 = 16
ME870 – ME883 = 14
ME951 – ME960 = 10
ME972 – ME999 = 28
MF113 – MF124 = 12
MF131 – MF144 = 14
MF193 – MF202 = 10
MF236 – MF249 = 14
MF281 – MF288 = 8
MF311 – MF316 = 6
MF346 – MF351 = 6
MF367 – MF372 = 6
MF399 – MF404 = 6
MF420 – MF424 = 5
MF439 – MF441 = 3
MF452 – MF459 = 8
MF468 – MF479 = 12
MF500 – MF538 = 39
MF550 – MF572 = 23
MF583 – MF596 = 14
MF614 – MF615 = 2
MF624 = 1
MF626 – MF635 = 10
MF644 – MF655 = 12
MF676 – MF687 = 12
MF695 – MF706 = 12
MF728 – MF739 = 12
MS470 – MS496 = 27
NA710 – NA754 = 45
NA766 – NA811 = 46
NA823 – NA870 = 48
NA893 – NA937 = 45
NA949 – NA997 = 49
NB110 – NB139 = 30
NC421 – NC432 = 12
NC443 – NC452 = 10
NC472 – NC481 = 10
NC494 – NC502 = 9
NC514 – NC517 = 4
NC529 – NC533 = 5
NC545 – NC554 = 10
NC563 – NC570 = 8
NC592 – NC601 = 10
NC614 – NC621 = 8
NC648 – NC655 = 8
NC664 – NC671 = 8
NC678 – NC692 = 15
NC706 – NC740 = 35
NC748 – NC750 = 3
NC766 – NC770 = 5
NC777 – NC784 = 8
NC789 – NC796 = 8
NC801 – NC813 = 13
NC825 – NC827 = 3
NC836 – NC847 = 12
NC856 – NC867 = 12
NC890 – NC901 = 12
NC908 – NC925 = 18
NC929 = 1
NC942 – NC990 = 49
PF823 – PF830 = 8
PF839 – PF846 = 8
PF855 – PF862 = 8
PF883 – PF888 = 6
PF894 – PF901 = 8
PF912 – PF915 = 4
PF927 – PF930 = 4
PF941 – PF948 = 8
PF959 – PF966 = 8
PF987 – PF994 = 8
PG117 – PG124 = 8
PG135 – PG138 = 4
PG149 – PG152 = 4
PG175 – PG182 = 8
PG193 – PG196 = 4
PG207 – PG210 = 4
PG232 – PG235 = 4
PG250 – PG253 = 4
PG258 – PG265 = 8
PG286 – PG297 = 12
PG304 – PG326 = 23
PG338 – PG348 = 11
PG357 – PG366 = 10
PG371 – PG379 = 9
PG392 – PG394 = 3
PG401 – PG422 = 22
RP312 – RP329 = 18
RP336 – RP347 = 12
RP352 – RP358 = 7
RP373 – RP391 = 19
RP396 – RP411 = 16
RP430 – RP469 = 40
RP483 – RP526 = 44
RP538 – RP561 = 24
RP565 – RP590 = 26

 

[33k in the air]

Mark 11 (180)
HF720 = 1
HF803 – HF804 = 2
HZ142 – HZ143 = 2
HZ178 = 1
HZ184 = 1
HZ190 = 1
HZ196 = 1
HZ202 = 1
HZ208 = 1
HZ246 = 1
HZ251 – HZ254 = 4
HZ274 – HZ276 = 3
HZ283 – HZ284 = 2
HZ299 = 1
HZ306 – HZ308 = 3
HZ315 = 1
HZ351 – HZ352 = 2
HZ359 – HZ361 = 3
HZ368 – HZ370 = 3
HZ377 – HZ378 = 2
HZ394 – HZ397 = 4
HZ404 – HZ409 = 6
HZ416 – HZ421 = 6
HZ428 – HZ433 = 6
HZ522 – HZ527 = 6
HZ534 – HZ539 = 6
HZ546 – HZ550 = 5
MP502 = 1
MP504 = 1
MP516 – MP535 = 20
MP543 – MP549 = 7
MP562 – MP574 = 13
MP576 – MP577 = 2
MP579 – MP580 = 2
MP582 – MP583 = 2
MP585 – MP586 = 2
MP588 – MP589 = 2
MP591 – MP592 = 2
MP594 – MP595 = 2
MP597 – MP598 = 2
MP600 – MP601 = 2
MP616 – MP617 = 2
MP619 = 1
MP621 = 1
MP623 = 1
MP625 = 1
MP627 = 1
MP629 = 1
MP631 = 1
MP633 = 1
MP635 = 1
MP637 = 1
MP639 – MP649 = 11
MP651 = 1
MP653 = 1
MP655 = 1
MP679 = 1
MP681 = 1
MP683 = 1
MP685 = 1
MP687 = 1
MP689 = 1
MP691 – MP703 = 13

 

[33k in the air]

Mark 12 (58)
HF113 – HF120 = 8
MP503 = 1
MP505 – MP515 = 11
MP536 – MP542 = 7
MP575 = 1
MP578 = 1
MP581 = 1
MP584 = 1
MP587 = 1
MP590 = 1
MP593 = 1
MP596 = 1
MP599 = 1
MP615 = 1
MP618 = 1
MP620 = 1
MP622 = 1
MP624 = 1
MP626 = 1
MP628 = 1
MP630 = 1
MP632 = 1
MP634 = 1
MP636 = 1
MP638 = 1
MP650 = 1
MP652 = 1
MP654 = 1
MP656 = 1
MP680 = 1
MP682 = 1
MP684 = 1
MP686 = 1
MP688 = 1
MP690 = 1

Mark 13 (844)
HZ551 = 1
HZ573 – HZ578 = 6
HZ583 – HZ604 = 22
HZ633 – HZ660 = 28
HZ689 – HZ712 = 24
HZ721 – HZ727 = 7
HZ752 – HZ770 = 19
HZ793 – HZ808 = 16
HZ819 – HZ820 = 2
HZ862 – HZ897 = 36
HZ937 – HZ940 = 4
HZ951 – HZ981 = 31
JA104 – JA110 = 7
JA141 – JA151 = 11
JA176 – JA184 = 9
JA195 – JA210 = 16
JA256 – JA273 = 18
JA295 – JA318 = 24
JA337 – JA340 = 4
JA353 – JA363 = 11
JA378 – JA426 = 49
JA442 – JA447 = 6
JA513 – JA518 = 6
JA535 – JA539 = 5
JA561 – JA585 = 25
JA618 – JA645 = 28
ME884 – ME914 = 31
ME926 – ME950 = 25
MF125 – MF130 = 6
MF145 – MF156 = 12
MF170 – MF192 = 23
MF203 – MF213 = 11
MF226 – MF235 = 10
MF250 – MF267 = 18
MF279 – MF280 = 2
MF289 – MF310 = 22
MF317 – MF320 = 4
MF335 – MF345 = 11
MF352 – MF366 = 15
MF373 – MF377 = 5
MF389 – MF398 = 10
MF405 – MF419 = 15
MF442 – MF449 = 8
MF460 – MF467 = 8
MF480 = 1
MF493 – MF499 = 7
MF573 – MF582 = 10
MF616 – MF623 = 8
MF625 = 1
MF636 – MF643 = 8
MF656 – MF659 = 4
MF672 – MF675 = 4
MF688 – MF694 = 7
MF707 – MF713 = 7
MF725 = 1
MF740 – MF742 = 3
MP704 – MP709 = 6
MP711 = 1
MP713 = 1
MP715 = 1
MP717 = 1
MP719 = 1
MP721 = 1
MP723 = 1
MP738 = 1
MP740 = 1
MP742 – MP749 = 8
MP751 = 1
MP753 = 1
MP755 = 1
MP757 = 1
MP759 = 1
MP761 – MP762 = 2
MP764 – MP765 = 2
MP767 – MP768 = 2
MP770 – MP771 = 2
MP773 = 1
MP790 = 1
MP793 = 1
MP796 = 1
MP800 = 1
MP804 = 1
NC414 – NC418 = 5
NC433 – NC440 = 8
NC453 – NC459 = 7
NC471 = 1
NC482 – NC489 = 8
NC503 – NC510 = 8
NC534 – NC541 = 8
NC555 – NC562 = 8
NC571 – NC576 = 6
NC588 – NC589 = 2
NC602 – NC609 = 8
NC626 – NC631 = 6
NC656 – NC663 = 8
NC741 – NC747 = 7

 

[33k in the air]

Mark 14 (841)
HF121 – HF155 = 35
HF167 – HF208 = 42
HF220 – HF252 = 33
HF264 – HF312 = 49
HF329 – HF363 = 35
HF381 – HF422 = 42
HF446 – HF451 = 6
MF450 – MF451 = 2
MF726 – MF727 = 2
MP710 = 1
MP712 = 1
MP714 = 1
MP716 = 1
MP718 = 1
MP720 = 1
MP722 = 1
MP724 = 1
MP739 = 1
MP741 = 1
MP750 = 1
MP752 = 1
MP754 = 1
MP756 = 1
MP758 = 1
MP760 = 1
MP763 = 1
MP766 = 1
MP769 = 1
MP772 = 1
MP774 = 1
MP789 = 1
MP791 – MP792 = 2
MP794 – MP795 = 2
MP797 – MP799 = 3
MP801 – MP803 = 3
MP805 – MP825 = 21
NB767 – NB783 = 17
NB796 – NB841 = 46
NB853 – NB896 = 44
NB908 – NB952 = 45
NB964 – NB999 = 36
NC112 – NC160 = 49
NC164 – NC209 = 46
NC222 – NC234 = 13
NC419 – NC420 = 2
NC441 – NC442 = 2
NC490 – NC493 = 4
NC511 – NC513 = 3
NC542 – NC544 = 3
NC590 – NC591 = 2
NC610 – NC613 = 4
NC622 – NC625 = 4
NC632 = 1
NC644 – NC647 = 4
NC672 – NC677 = 6
NC771 – NC776 = 6
NC785 – NC788 = 4
NC797 – NC800 = 4
NC828 – NC835 = 8
NC848 – NC855 = 8
NC870 = 1
NC883 – NC889 = 7
NC902 – NC907 = 6
ND129 – ND133 = 5
PF820 – PF822 = 3
PF831 – PF838 = 8
PF847 – PF854 = 8
PF863 – PF866 = 4
PF879 – PF882 = 4
PF889 – PF893 = 5
PF902 – PF911 = 10
PF931 – PF940 = 10
PF949 – PF958 = 10
PF967 – PF968 = 2
PF979 – PF986 = 8
PF995 – PF999 = 5
PG112 – PG116 = 5
PG125 – PG134 = 10
PG139 – PG148 = 10
PG153 – PG157 = 5
PG170 – PG174 = 5
PG183 – PG192 = 10
PG197 – PG206 = 10
PG211 – PG215 = 5
PG227 – PG231 = 5
PG240 – PG245 = 6
PG266 – PG269 = 4
PG282 – PG285 = 4
PG298 – PG303 = 6

Mark 18 (80)
NC868 – NC869 = 2
NC926 – NC928 = 3
ND104 – ND128 = 25
PG236 – PG239 = 4
PG246 – PG249 = 4
PG254 – PG257 = 4
PG349 = 1
PG350 – PG355 = 6
PG356 = 1
PG367 – PG370 = 4
PG395 – PG400 = 6
RP330 – RP335 = 6
RP348 – RP351 = 4
RP392 – RP395 = 4
RP412 – RP415 = 4
RP428 – RP429 = 2

 

[ThomasP]

Hey 33k in the air,

Have you seen any establishment lists or other official documents where the aircraft with the Mod.423 was listed as Type 423? (as opposed to Mk III with Mod.423 as listed in the document I posted above for an example). I ask because I have not found any.

 

[33k in the air]

Hey 33k in the air,

Have you seen any establishment lists or other official documents where the aircraft with the Mod.423 was listed as Type 423? (as opposed to Mk III with Mod.423 as listed in the document I posted above for an example). I ask because I have not found any.

No, I haven't, but I've only looked at some squadron ORBs. My speculation comes from the description in Murray's book, where it seems Vickers used Type 423 while the RAF called it Mod 423.

 

[ThomasP]

I could be wrong, but Vickers using Type 423 to collectively refer to Mk IC/II/III/X airframes with the Mod.423 incorporated would be contrary to the reason why they used Type numbers and Modification numbers in the first place.

Maybe someone has access to internal paperwork from Vickers Supermarine, or memos between Vickers Supermarine and the Air Ministry?

 

[Geoffrey Sinclair]

Wellington Ic T2545 became II W5352, so it needs to be counted as Ic or II, not both, the Ministry of Aircraft production says Ic, RAF II. The RAF census has 400 II plus 2 conversions.
The 3 Wellington II prototypes were L4250 (first flight 3 March 1939), R3221 and T2545/W5352, the first 2 have converted to II written on their cards. T2545 would have been rolled out in June 1940, then comes what it first flew as. There are aircraft cards for both T2545 and W5332 but they only overlap in 1942/43 and do not really reconcile.

HF112 has an aircraft card, reported arriving at 45MU 30 December 1942, then no further history, it also has a similar Serial Register entry. HF113 on were mark XIII which began deliveries 4 months later. The Contract Summary card says 737 III built and MAP also says 737 built. Unfortunately the mark III contract cards are missing. If HF112 did exist it would be mark III number 738. It probably did not exist.

The Contract Card, Serial Register, Aircraft Cards say MF203 was a mark XIII, Robertson says mark X. It means Blackpool built 802 mark XIII, while the RAF Contract Cards says 801 in three different locations and MAP agrees. With firstly the mark III and X being built in parallel, then the XI joining them, then becoming the X and XIII in parallel production recording switched to different cards for different marks, with date of arrival being the main way to organise the recording. The contract cards have three aircraft in the XIII cards dated 2 March 1944 but then deleted, the over writing makes it hard to impossible to make out the serials. MF298 was delivered on 2 March 1944 and as far as I can tell is not listed in the mark XIII cards or for that matter the mark X cards.

Dates from aircraft cards
MF317 01-Mar-44
MF319 01-Mar-44
MF320 01-Mar-44
MF335 01-Mar-44
MF298 02-Mar-44
MF310 02-Mar-44
MF318 04-Mar-44
MF336 04-Mar-44
MF280 05-Mar-44
MF306 05-Mar-44
MF337 05-Mar-44
MF339 05-Mar-44
MF341 05-Mar-44

HZ722 lost on test flight 20-jun-43, finally counted as built in January 1944.

JA258 is mark X In Serial registers, XIII on contract cards, XIII to X in aircraft card, it was converted in 1945.
JA303 is mark X In Serial registers, XIII on contract cards, XIII to X in aircraft card, it was converted in 1945.
MF260 is mark X In Serial registers, XIII on contract cards, XIII to X in aircraft card, it was converted in 1945.

 

[33k in the air]

Wellington Ic T2545 became II W5352, so it needs to be counted as Ic or II, not both, the Ministry of Aircraft production says Ic, RAF II. The RAF census has 400 II plus 2 conversions.
The 3 Wellington II prototypes were L4250 (first flight 3 March 1939), R3221 and T2545/W5352, the first 2 have converted to II written on their cards. T2545 would have been rolled out in June 1940, then comes what it first flew as. There are aircraft cards for both T2545 and W5332 but they only overlap in 1942/43 and do not really reconcile.

So T2545 and W5352 are the same aircraft? I did not realize that. Why was the serial number changed? And it's not clear which mark the aircraft was initially completed as — or was it converted on the assembly line rather than after initial completion?

HF112 has an aircraft card, reported arriving at 45MU 30 December 1942, then no further history, it also has a similar Serial Register entry. HF113 on were mark XIII which began deliveries 4 months later. The Contract Summary card says 737 III built and MAP also says 737 built. Unfortunately the mark III contract cards are missing. If HF112 did exist it would be mark III number 738. It probably did not exist.

I'll add that to my notes.

The Contract Card, Serial Register, Aircraft Cards say MF203 was a mark XIII, Robertson says mark X.

Mk 13 it is, then.

MF298 was delivered on 2 March 1944 and as far as I can tell is not listed in the mark XIII cards or for that matter the mark X cards.

The Form 78 Aircraft Movement Card for it lists it as a Mk 13, so that's what I went with.

HZ722 lost on test flight 20-jun-43, finally counted as built in January 1944.

Same as above. The movement card says Mk 13, so I went with that.

JA258 is mark X In Serial registers, XIII on contract cards, XIII to X in aircraft card, it was converted in 1945.
JA303 is mark X In Serial registers, XIII on contract cards, XIII to X in aircraft card, it was converted in 1945.
MF260 is mark X In Serial registers, XIII on contract cards, XIII to X in aircraft card, it was converted in 1945.

The conversions took place well after the aircraft were built, so I would consider them as a Mk 13 as originally built, with a note indicating it was later converted to Mk 10.

 

[Alex Smart]

Hi,
I would just like to comment on the 175 Wellington I's.
L4212 to L4391.
If the five that were originally allotted to the RNZAF and not delivered (to the RNZAFin New Zealand)were added the total would be 180 for this batch, not 175.
So can anyone supply information of the service in the RAF of L4312,L4313,L4314, L4315 and L4316 ?
This is just one item as far as I am aware that has not been examined.
Alex

 

[Geoffrey Sinclair]

So T2545 and W5352 are the same aircraft? I did not realize that. Why was the serial number changed? And it's not clear which mark the aircraft was initially completed as — or was it converted on the assembly line rather than after initial completion?

No idea why a new serial was allocated and there seems to be splits between those who say it is a Ic and a II, including having two aircraft cards, Ic and II. Take your pick, just make a note of your decision. I try to use first flown as but no information about this aircraft.

The conversions took place well after the aircraft were built, so I would consider them as a Mk 13 as originally built, with a note indicating it was later converted to Mk 10.

Agreed about the mark XIII and X, my mentioning of the mark X is for anyone wanting to double check my mark XIII conclusions, letting them know there were conversions.

I would just like to comment on the 175 Wellington I's. L4212 to L4391. If the five that were originally allotted to the RNZAF and not delivered (to the RNZAFin New Zealand)were added the total would be 180 for this batch, not 175. So can anyone supply information of the service in the RAF of L4312,L4313,L4314, L4315 and L4316 ? This is just one item as far as I am aware that has not been examined.

Good question, the answer is my comment about L4312 to L4316 was wrong and obviously wrong as MAP is only missing 2 mark I, the serials L4311 to L4316 were originally allocated to New Zealand but then all but L4311 were cancelled. No idea why, but it looks like R2699 to R2703 were the replacements. The note on the contract card with L4311 to L4316 says 6 for New Zealand with the 6 crossed out and replaced by 1.

NZDF Serials - Wellington Gives a list of New Zealand order serials. A contract card note says L4273 to maybe L4284 for New Zealand (end serial too faint to read clearly) after service test. Meantime L4273 to L4279 went to 9 squadron Feb/Mar 1939, L4280 to L4284 to 148 squadron in March, a total of 12 aircraft which the web site says were meant for New Zealand.

L4331, L4330, L4340, L4350, L4355 and L4360 have the contract card remark, for NZ contract 781439/38, indicating like the Hurricanes for Canada the New Zealand order was given its own contract number, with the RAF order(s) to be adjusted accordingly, the contract being for 18 aircraft, probably the 6 L serials and the 12 N serials listed at the ADF-Serials site and a good chance the P2515 to P2532 batch of 18 serials being their replacements, in some references being listed as contract 781439/38, which are all mark Ia while the contracts summary card says the order was 6 I and 12 Ia.

Of the N serials listed by the website only N2874 has a for New Zealand entry. CHAPTER 2 — Early Operations from Britain and France | NZETC page 33 and CHAPTER 4 — Outbreak of War with Germany and Initial Mobilisation and Training | NZETC page 1 indicates the offer to leave the NZ Wellington unit in Britain was in late August but no acceptance date was given. N2874 seems to be the cut off aircraft, in the second week of September 1939, after that the NZ order was simply part of the total Wellington Orders. The story being RNZAF orders 30 Wellingtons, 12 are to be transferred from RAF stocks but that does not happen before war is declared, 18 are under their own contract. Separate to this 5 of the 6 serials originally meant to be built for New Zealand are cancelled. Of the 18 L4330, L4340, L4350, L4355 and L4360 are marked delivered to Marham for New Zealand flight. Using the dates of the serials around them 2 came off the line in May, 3 in June, reported Wellington exports match this. L4311 only says New Zealand but does say it was to be NZ300. L4330, L4340, L4350, L4355 and L4360 have the date 14 November 1939 in their contract card entries, perhaps the date they officially rejoined the RAF, L4311 has 25 February 1940. Simple story in the end?

As an aside if war had not been declared the RNZAF could have had the Wellington Territorial Squadron operating from Wellington with Wellington bombers, perhaps finding a Squadron Leader Wellington to command it.

 

[ThomasP]

Hey 33K in the air and Geoffrey Sinclair,

This is what I have in my notes re T2545 and W5352. If my notes are correct they were not the same airframe.

T2545 built as IC, pulled from Mk IC order before delivery and converted to/delivered as Mk II to fill special order(?). The airframe was intended for use as Type 430 with Merlin XX engines (modifications were begun but not fully carried out). Subsequently modified and used for flight testing of Merlin 60 engines.

W5352 built as Mk II, but converted to Mk IC before delivery to backfill the Mk IC order that originally included T2545.


re Mod.423 question.

Have either of you run across any Movement Cards or Establishment Lists for Mk IC airframes with Mod.423 (or Mod.453?) incorporated? My understanding is that there were relatively few Mk IC so modified (in my notes I have the total number of Mk IC modified as only 33 airframes).