HP.52 Hampden B.Mk.I WWII British bomber (100% new molds)

HP.52 Hampden B.Mk.I WWII British bomber (100% new molds)

In October 1931, the British Air Ministry began preparing technical specifications for a new bomber to replace obsolete biplanes. Specification B.9/32 was created in August 1932, and several aircraft manufacturers competed for its development. The final choice fell on Handley Page's project—the HP.52, whose prototype was completed in spring 1936. In June, the experimental model took to the sky and performed excellently, achieving a maximum speed of 426 km/h and carrying over 1,800 kg of bombs. In
July, it was shown to King Edward VIII alongside other advanced combat aircraft. On October 4, 1937, the Air Ministry approved the final design, designated HP.52 Hampden B.Mk.I (named after John Hampden,a 17th-century defender of civil liberties).

Serial production began in spring 1938, and by autumn the first aircraft entered combat units. Starting in February 1940, English Electric joined production, building another 770 bombers by March 1942. Production was later established in Canada as well. From the start of World War II, the HP.52 Hampden was actively deployed by British aviation against Germany, bearing the burden of the first difficult months. The aircraft conducted operations against ground targets, bombed German territory, attacked enemy ships, and laid mines in harbors. The HP.52 Hampden served with Bomber Command until autumn 1942. From spring 1942, it began transferring to Coastal Command, where many were converted into torpedo bombers.