Handley Page
Halifax Mk III
L8H
AvHistory - Version-4.00.164
This Halifax is a C-grade plane. Cockpits are rudimentary, fully functional, but not final. The Bombadier posistion is also a limited graphic representation but like the cockpit is fully function & all bomb loads can be delivered.
Gunstations are are limited graphic representation, but are fully functional & in compliance with Version 4 requirements.
The flight & damage package, Version 4.00.164 is fully implementated.
This aircrafts M3D was devloped by Ted "NachtPiloten" Kaniuka based on the original work of StarryNites. The livery is of Halifax MkIII Tail Number NA577 L8-H, No.347 (Tunisie) Sqn, RAF, Elvington, November 1944
Nigel 'ndicki' Dickinson Created this Skin for AvHistory
No.347 Sqn was composed of French airmen who had for the most part, come 'onside' when the Vichy French forces in North Africa changed allegience. In strict terms, they are therefore NOT "Free-French", as this label applies exclusively to those (few) French nationals who were serving in de Gaulle's forces before Operation Torch and the subsequent 'turn of coat' on
the part of Vichy troops.
The squadron, (GB I/25) was sent to Britain after the end of the Tunisian campaign and re-formed on Halifaxes; it became No.347 Sqn in October 1943, and began operations in July 1944 flying from Elvington.
French style fuselage roundels and fin flashes quickly replaced the standard RAF markings. For some reason, these were however retained on the wings.
Handley Page produced the H.P.56, a twin Vulture-engined design to meet Air Ministry Specification P.13/36 but performance was found to be lacking. Modifications resulted in the definitive H.P.57 "Halifax" (following the practice of naming heavy bombers after major towns, in this case, Halifax, West Yorkshire); the aircraft was enlarged and powered by four 1,280 hp Rolls-Royce Merlin X engines.
Such was the promise of the new model that the RAF had placed their first order for 100 Mk I Halifaxes "off the drawing board" before the first prototype even flew. The maiden flight of the Halifax took place on 24 September 1939, shortly after the start of the war.
The most numerous Halifax variant was the B Mk III of which 2,091 were built. First appearing in 1943, the Mk III featured the Perspex nose and modified tail of the Mk II Series IA but replaced the Merlin with the more powerful 1,650 hp Bristol Hercules XVI radial engine. Other changes included De Havilland Hydromatic propellers and rounded wing-tips.