The Handley Page H.P.22 was the internal company designation for the prototype aircraft that subsequently developed into the Handley Page H.P.24 Hyderabad, a twin-engined heavy night bomber used by the Royal Air Force (RAF). It represented a significant step in Handley Page's evolution of multi-engine bomber aircraft in the inter-war period.
Development
The H.P.22 originated from Handley Page's response to Air Ministry Specification 31/24, which called for a new twin-engined heavy night bomber. This specification sought to replace existing bomber types and improve upon their capabilities. Handley Page, having a strong track record in bomber design with aircraft like the O/400 and V/1500 during World War I, submitted a design that built upon their experience.
Following the design phase, the Air Ministry accepted Handley Page's proposal, and the construction of a prototype commenced. This prototype, given the serial number J9027, was assigned the company designation H.P.22. It first flew in December 1926. The successful trials of the H.P.22 prototype demonstrated the design's suitability for the heavy bomber role, leading to an order for production aircraft. These production aircraft were officially designated as the Handley Page H.P.24 Hyderabad.
Design
The H.P.22, and its production variant the H.P.24 Hyderabad, featured a conventional biplane configuration for the era, designed to provide the necessary lift and stability for a heavy bomber. It was powered by two Napier Lion engines, a reliable and powerful engine widely used in British aircraft during the 1920s and early 1930s. The structure typically employed a mixed construction of wood and metal, with fabric covering for the wings and fuselage. The aircraft was configured to carry a bomb load internally and was equipped with defensive armament for its crew.
Significance
The Handley Page H.P.22 was crucial as the direct precursor to the H.P.24 Hyderabad, which served as a front-line night bomber with the Royal Air Force from the late 1920s into the early 1930s. Although its service life was relatively short due to rapid advancements in aviation technology, the H.P.22/Hyderabad demonstrated Handley Page's continued prowess in designing and manufacturing large, multi-engined aircraft and contributed to the development of bomber doctrine and capabilities in the RAF during a period of significant transition.