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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Wellington
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World War II bomber made by *Vickers. It was the workhorse of Bomber Command until 1943, carrying a crew of six on night raids (the smaller *Blenheim was used in daylight after the Wellington proved too vulnerable to fighters). Universally known at the time by its nickname, the Wimpy, it was produced in greater numbers than any other bomber (nearly 12,000 were made) and had a fabric skin on a geodesic frame designed by Barnes *Wallis; the great advantage of this was that it could fly even with the skin much damaged by flak. But it was unable to carry the heavier bombs of the later war years and was largely replaced by the *Lancaster, though remaining in service until 1953.
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