Vickers 648 Varsity / 668 Varsity

The Varsity general-purpose aircrew trainer retained the general characteristics of the Valetta C.I, but had a tricycle landing gear and a slightly longer fuselage. For bomb-aiming training, a bomb bay and bomb-aiming station were provided in the form of a pannier fitting against the fuselage underbelly.

The prototype type 648 first flew in July 1949 and type 668 Varsity T.ls went into service with the RAF in 1951. A total of 163 were built.

 

A Vickers Varsity was experimentally fitted by Napier with two Eland turboprops.

Vickers 648 Varsity
Engine : 2 x Bristol Hercules 264, 1923 hp
Length : 67.487 ft / 20.57 m
Height : 23.917 ft / 7.29 m
Wingspan : 95.571 ft / 29.13 m
Wing area : 974.142 sq.ft / 90.5 sq.m
Max take off weight : 37507.1 lb / 17010.0 kg
Weight empty : 27044.3 lb / 12265.0 kg
Max. speed : 250 kts / 463 km/h
Cruising speed : 208 kts / 385 km/h
Service ceiling : 28707 ft / 8750 m
Wing load : 38.54 lb/sq.ft / 188.0 kg/sq.m
Maximum range : 2300 nm / 4260 km
Range : 2300 nm / 4260 km
Crew : 2