33k in the air
Staff Sergeant
- 1,226
- Jan 31, 2021
The Halifax Mk II and V had three subvariants: the Series I, Series I (Special), and Series Ia. Does anyone have any data on the production numbers of each subvariant?
I only have once source on hand which lists such information: Halifax at War by Brian J. Napier (Ian Allan Publishing, 1986). According to the serial number ranges it provides, there were about 1,388 Series I and 589 Series Ia for the Mk II (70% to 30% split), and about 388 Series I and 516 Series Ia for the Mk V (43% to 57% split). It does not make any mention of the number of Series I (Special). However, another reference I have (I forget which) mentions Handley Page itself built 299 Mk II Series Ia, which, looking at the serial number batches, would mean about 1,150 Series I and 827 Series Ia for the Mk II (58% to 42% split).
I'm unclear if the Series I (Special) was only from conversions of Series I aircraft, or if some came out of the factory that way. Photos and illustrations of Series I (Special) aircraft show some with no dorsal turret, some with the two-gun dorsal turret, and some with the four-gun dorsal turret. So alterations and variations for this subvariant seem not uncommon.
Even if the number of Series I (Special) varied due to conversions in different periods, a snapshot of the relative numbers at a specific point in time would still be helpful, particularly as it compared to the other two subvariants.
I only have once source on hand which lists such information: Halifax at War by Brian J. Napier (Ian Allan Publishing, 1986). According to the serial number ranges it provides, there were about 1,388 Series I and 589 Series Ia for the Mk II (70% to 30% split), and about 388 Series I and 516 Series Ia for the Mk V (43% to 57% split). It does not make any mention of the number of Series I (Special). However, another reference I have (I forget which) mentions Handley Page itself built 299 Mk II Series Ia, which, looking at the serial number batches, would mean about 1,150 Series I and 827 Series Ia for the Mk II (58% to 42% split).
I'm unclear if the Series I (Special) was only from conversions of Series I aircraft, or if some came out of the factory that way. Photos and illustrations of Series I (Special) aircraft show some with no dorsal turret, some with the two-gun dorsal turret, and some with the four-gun dorsal turret. So alterations and variations for this subvariant seem not uncommon.
Even if the number of Series I (Special) varied due to conversions in different periods, a snapshot of the relative numbers at a specific point in time would still be helpful, particularly as it compared to the other two subvariants.