Page 22 - John George Blair

The Vickers Warwick, a maritime version of the Vickers Wellington was used by RAF
Coastal Command for anti-submarine reconnaissance duties from 1943. Warwicks
were loaded with the 1,700 lb. (770 kg) Mk IA airborne Lifeboat and used for air-sea
rescue. The lifeboat, seen here in this picture was designed by yachtsman Uffa Fox,
laden with supplies and powered by two 4 hp (3.0 kW) motors, was aimed with a
bombsight near to ditched air crew and dropped by parachute into the sea from an
altitude of about 700 ft. (210 m). Warwick’s were credited with rescuing crews from
Halifax’s, Lancasters, Wellingtons and B-17 Flying Fortress’s and during Operation
Market Garden, from Hamilcar gliders, all of which ditched in the English Channel
or North Sea.