While the Lancaster heavy bombers will continue to be more recognizable during British night bombing operations during WWII, the Handlery Page Halifax series of bombers should be remembered in this role as much as any other bomber .

Halifax was originally an Order H. P. 56 prototype, originally consisting of just two Vulture piston engines. Continuing performance issues were evident, and Handley Page devised another newly designed four-engine Rolls-Royce prototype, named the HP 57.

Two HP 57 prototypes were ordered and tested in actual flight tests.

In 1940, the first official production version of the Halifax entered service under the designation Halifax B. Mk I, of which 84 aircraft of this type were produced. The B. Mk I is equipped with 4 Merlin Xs (or "ten"), each capable of producing 1,280 horsepower. The first 84s were divided into three series, Series I, Series II, and Series III, each with minor variations.

The Series II features an increased maximum takeoff weight, while the Series III is designed with a larger fuel capacity.

The Halifax B. Mk II introduced a recognizable two-gun dorsal turret to complement the four-gun turret assembly at the stern. Dazzling engine settings and an improved landing gear system introduce more changes.

Halifax was also used for other characters during and after the war. The transport variant is purely based on the original model, but has been moved to the transport (non-weapon) role. Sea and air support models follow suit.

Post-war models include the "Halton" civilian transport aircraft (used for the Berlin Airlift after World War II) and the C. Mk 8 and A. Mk 9 variants.

Total production of the Halifax family of aircraft was 6,177. These bombers carried a total of 227,610 tons of bombs in more than 75,530 sorties. In the end, the Halifax bomber proved to be an efficient heavy night bomber capable of fulfilling other less honorable roles in the war.

- Ground Attack

21.82m

104.17 ft (31.75 m)

6.32m

17,690 kg

30,845 kg

312 mph (502 km/h; 271 knots)

23,999 ft (7,315 m; 4.55 mi)

1,260 miles (2,028 km; 1,095 nautical miles)

400 ft/min (122 m/min)

Default:

1 x 7.7mm machine gun in nose

4 x 7.7mm machine guns in the back turret

4 x 7.7mm machine guns in the rear turret

Internal bomb load up to 5,897 kg (13,000 lb).

H. P. 56 - Original design name of the prototype; 2 x Vulture inline engines.

H.P. 57 - Alternative prototype design name with 4 x Rolls-Royce Merlin inline engines, two of which have been ordered.

Halifax B. Mk I Series I - Initial production and service model with 4 x Merlin X, 1,280 hp each, of which 84 were produced.

Halifax B. Mk I Series II - Added MTOW

Halifax B. Mk I Series III Increased fuel capacity.

Halifax B. Mk II - Equipped with Merlin XX (or "22") variety of engines; introduced dorsal turret; 1,977 produced.

Halifax B. Mk III - Bristol Hercules VI (sometimes XVI) radial engines of 1,615 hp each.

Halifax B. Mk V - Based on Mk II model; modified landing gear assembly; 904 production.

Halifax B. Mk VI - Based on Mk III model; Hercules 100 engines, 1,800 hp each.

Halifax B. Mk VII - Featuring Hercules XVI engines.

Halifax C. Mk II - Transport Variant based on Mk II model.

Halifax C. Mk VI - Transport Variant based on Mk VI model.

Halifax C. Mk VII - Transport Variant based on Mk VII model.

Halifax GR. Mk II - Maritime Variant based on Mk II model.

Halifax GR. Mk V - Maritime Variant based on Mk V model.

Halifax GR. Mk VI - Maritime Variant based on Mk VI model.

Halifax A. Mk II - Airborne Support Variant based on Mk II model.

Halifax A. Mk V - Airborne Support Variant based on Mk V model.

Halifax A. Mk VII - Airborne Support Variant based on Mk VII model.

Halifax C. Mk 8

Halifax A. Mk 9

Halton - Civil Transport Variant