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Handley Page O/400

Description

This aircraft was the next step in improving of HP O/100 design. Two fuel tanks were moved from engine nacelles into the fuselage and the alternate tank was mounted in the upper section above them. Hollow spars were used in wings, gears were fitted with towing lugs and radiator shutters were fitted in the factory. The engines were covered by armor plates. Differential thrust of the engines was compensated by central tail fin. New Eagle VIII engines allowed an increased bomb load. Besides the head company, this bomber was manufactured by: Royal Aircraft Factory, Boulton and Paul, Metropolitan Carriage Wagon, Birmingham Carriage Co. 554 planes were built in GB by the end of the war.
This aircraft appeared on the frontline in September 1917. These planes were used to bomb railway stations, supply depots, factories and ports during night. Pilots mentioned that the plane handled nicely, was easy on takeoff, controls were a little stiff and felt a little delayed.
Aircraft of this type participated in combat on Western and Palestinian fronts.

Engine: 2 x inline 12 cyl. Eagle VIII
Power: 360 hp

Dimensions:
Height: 6700 mm
Length: 18930 mm
Wing span: 30480 mm
Wing surface: 153.1 sq.m

Weight:
Empty: 3774 kg
Crew: 320 kg
Fuel capacity: 1291 liters (962 kg)
Oil capacity: 136.4 liters (126 kg)
Takeoff without bombs: 5265 kg
Takeoff with 16 112 lb bombs: 6078 kg

Speed (IAS), without bombload:
sea level - 156.3 km/h
1000 - 146.3 km/h
2000 - 135.2 km/h
3000 - 121.3 km/h

Climb rate:
1000 m: 7 min. 42 sec.
2000 m: 18 min. 54 sec.
3000 m: 43 min. 14 sec.

Climb rate with 16 112 lb bombs (813 kg):
1000 m: 13 min. 51 sec.
2000 m: 47 min. 54 sec.

Endurance: 8 hours (9 hours 26 mins without bombs)

Armament:
Nose turret: 2 х Lewis LMG 7.69mm, 12 drums with 97 rounds each
Upper tail turret: 2 х Lewis LMG 7.69mm, 7 drums with 97 rounds each
Bottom tail turret: 1 х Lewis LMG 7.69mm, 7 drums with 97 rounds each

Bomb load variations:
16 x 112 lb (813 kg)
8 x 112 lb (406 kg)
8 x 250 lb (908 kg)
4 x 250 lb (454 kg)
1 x 1650 lb (749 kg)

2000 lbs (908 kg) in total

References
1) Trial Report M219, July 1918.
2) Handley Page O/400, CA Owers, vol. 1 and 2.
3) Handley Page O/400 Specification.
4) Aviation Enthusiast Magazine. Viewed from the Cockpit, page 81.

Modifications

57mm Davis gun (Lewis aim)
Nose mount with 57mm Davis manually-operated recoilless gun and additional Lewis coaxial machinegun for draft aiming
Ammo: 17 of 57mm shells
Ammo type: HE (High Explosive rounds)
Rate of fire: 3 rpm
Projectile weight: 2,7 kg
Muzzle velocity: 300 m/s
Gun weight: 50 kg
Mount weight: 15 kg
Ammunition total weight: 119 kg
Total weight: 210 kg
Estimated speed loss: 0,5 km/h

57mm Davis gun
Nose mount with 57mm Davis manually-operated recoilless gun
Ammo: 17 of 57mm shells
Ammo type: HE (High Explosive rounds)
Rate of fire: 3 rpm
Projectile weight: 2,7 kg
Muzzle velocity: 300 m/s
Gun weight: 50 kg
Mount weight: 15 kg
Ammunition total weight: 119 kg
Total weight: 210 kg
Estimated speed loss: 0,5 km/h

Twin Lewis MG turret
Scarff ring turret with twin Lewis MG
Ammo: 776 of 7.69mm rounds (8 drums with 97 rounds in each)
Projectile weight: 11 g
Muzzle velocity: 745 m/s
Rate of fire: 550 rpm
Guns weight: 15 kg (w/o ammo drums)
Mount weight: 12 kg
Ammo weight: 32 kg
Total weight: 59 kg
Estimated speed loss: 2 km/h

Fuel Gauge
Needle Scale fuel level Gauge (0-300 Gallons)
Additional mass: 1 kg

1650 lb SN heavy bomb
1650 lb (748 kg) General Purpose Bomb
Additional mass: 778 kg
Ammunition mass: 748 kg
Racks mass: 30 kg
Estimated speed loss before drop: 5 km/h
Estimated speed loss after drop: 0 km/h