World War II AircraftThe Hampden's unusual profile and narrow fuselage led to it being nicknamed 'The Flying Suitcase' by its crews; each of which numbered four men. At the outbreak of war it was one of the three medium bombers that equipped Bomber Command; the others being the Whitley and Wellington. Two Bristol Pegasus XVIII engines gave it a maximum speed of about 240 mph when loaded with a maximum 4;000 lbs of bombs or an 18" torpedo; maximum range was 1.720 miles with 2;000 lbs of bombs at a cruising speed of 206 mph. Defensive armament was up to five 0.303" Vickers K machine guns: one in the nose; and one or two each in dorsal and ventral positions; all flexibly mounted. The Hampden operated against invasion fleet targets during the Battle of Britain; once such raid being the one on Antwerp on the night of 15/16 September 1940; during which Hampden P1355 of No.83 Squadron was hit by anti-aircraft fire. The navigator and bombardier were forced to bale out but Wireless Operator/Air Gunner Sergeant James Hannah successfully fought the flames and aided his pilot in making it back to base; where the aircraft was written off; for which he became the youngest Victoria Cross airman in history and its youngest recipient of the Second World War. Another 83 Squadron pilot witnessed the event and described it in his book 'Enemy Coast Ahead' - Guy Gibson. The Hampden also served as a torpedo-bomber and No.455 Squadron RAAF; originally formed as a bomber unit in August 1941; took up this role and transferred to Coastal Command in April 1942. It deployed briefly to Vaenga in the Soviet Union that September to support Allied convoys in the area; handed its Hampdens over to the Russians after one operation and returned to Britain; continuing to fly the ageing warhorse in the anti-shipping role until the squadron converted onto Beaufighters in October 1943.Illustration (Tim Brown); 2019.