Vickers 163 ![]()
The Vickers Type 163 prototype biplane bomber design of the 1930s. It was based on the Vickers 150 Vanox scaled up to take four Rolls-Royce FXIVS 480 hp engines in paired mountings. The engines are mounted in tandem pairs on Y struts between the wings, two engines driving tractor props and two driving pusher props.
![]() It was submitted both as a bomber and as a troop carrier to Air Ministry specifications B.19/27 and C.16/28 respectively first flying on 12 January 1931. As a bomber, the load weighed up to 1361 kilograms, housed in the inner compartment (a maximum of 8 bombs weighing 114 kg) and external hardpoints (up to 4 bombs weighing 114 kg or two 226 kg). Defensive armament consisted of two 7.7-mm machine guns Lewis, mounted on a mobile turret Scraff fore and aft fuselage. The 163 is all metal. Wheel brakes are fitted, and under the tail is a castoring tail wheel.
The aircraft was rejected by the military. In order to fully exploit the potential of the aircraft, it was decided to convert the Type 163 military transport aircraft that meets the specifications C.16 / 28. In this configuration, the aircraft could carry up to 21 soldiers. The machine can be operated as a bomber with a crew of 5, or as a troop carrier, with a crew of 4.
![]() Vickers Type 163 (C.16 / 28)
Only one was produced.
Engines: 4 × Rolls Royce FXIVS, 480 hp / 358 kW
Length: 66 ft 9 in / 20.34 m
Wingspan: 90 ft 0 in / 27.4 m
Height: 22 ft 4 in / 6.80 m
Wing area: 1,948 m² / 178 sq.m
Gross vehicle weight: 25,700 lb / 11,700 kg
Maximum speed: 139 kn / 258 kph / 160 mph at 6,500 ft / 1,980 m
Cruising speed: 220 kph
Range: 1,000 NMI / 1850km / 1,150 mi
Service ceiling: 25,200 ft / 7680 m
Time to 10,000 ft (3,050 m): 18 min 15 sec
Armament: 2 × 0.303 in Lewis Guns
Capacity: up to 12 x 250 lb / 1361 kgbombs / 10 troops
Crew: 4 / 5
![]() Vickers 163
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