Halifax
The Halifax is a heavy bomber of the Royal Air Force during World War II. It was manufactured by Handley Page.
Halifax production subsequently began at English Electric’s site at Samlesbury, Lancashire with over 2,000 bombers being at the factory during the war. The most numerous variant of the Halifax was the B Mk III, with 2,091 built. There’s a total of 6,176 Halifaxes produced, with the last aircraft delivered in Novermber 1946. Halifaxes were also built by English English Electric, Fairey Aviation, Rootes Motors and the London Aircraft Production Group.
The Halifax first flew on September 24, 1939, from RAF Bicester, 21 days after the UK declared war on Germany. In November 1940, the Halifax entered service with No.35 Squadron RAF at RAF Linton-on-Ouse. On the night of March 11-12, the first operational raid of the Halifax against Le Havre occurred. Halifaxes had flown 82,773 operations, dropped 224,207 tons of bombs and lost 1,833 aircraft during its service with RAF Bomber Command. Aside from bombing missions, Halifax was also used as a glider tug, electronic warfare aircraft for No. 100 Group RAF and special operations such as parachuting agents and arms into occupied Europe. Halifaxes were also utilized for anti submarine warfare, reconnaissance and meteorological roles.
The primary users and operators of the Halifax are the Royal Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force and the Polish Air Force. Postwar, Halifaxes remained in service with the RAF Coastal Command and RAF Transport Command and the Armee de l’Air until early 1952. The Pakistan Air Force continued to use the Halifax until 1961.
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