Vickers Type 151 Jockey.zip 2024-06-04

The Vickers Type 151 Jockey was an experimental low wing monoplane interceptor fighter powered by a radial engine. Only one was built, and this was lost before its development was complete, but the knowledge gained enabled Vickers to produce the more refined Venom. The Jockey was taken to RAF Martlesham Heath for its first flight in April 1930 and subsequent testing. A rear fuselage vibration was at first thought to be aerodynamic but proved to be structural; it was cured after Barnes Wallis redesigned the internal bracing. The rudder was modified, its balance removed and a trim tab installed. Spats were added to the undercarriage and a Townend ring enclosed the engine. The same aircraft was re-designated the Type 171 Jockey when the Mercury was replaced by a 530 hp (395 kW) supercharged Bristol Jupiter VIIF. The intention to power the Jockey with a supercharged Mercury IVS2 was never realised after the sole Jockey was lost to a flat spin in June 1932. The results of the tests had been sufficiently good to encourage Vickers to refine its design into the Vickers Venom. Model and textures by Chris Herring