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| The Varsity general-purpose aircrew trainer retained the general characteristics of the Valetta C.I, but had a tricycle landing gear and a slightly longer fuselage. For bomb-aiming training, a bomb bay and bomb-aiming station were provided in the form of a pannier fitting against the fuselage underbelly. The prototype first flew in July 1949 and Varsity T.ls went into service with the RAF in 1951. A total of 163 was built.
 | A three-view drawing (800 x 739) |
| Anonymous, 07.08.2023 22:17 As a 15-year old air cadet, I was enjoying my nighttime air experience flight from RAF Finningley in 1970, when the pilot started to call "Pan, Pan, Pan".
One of the engines had been shut down over the Irish Sea. A jittery trainee navigator came to the back of the plane with a parachute for me.
We landed at St Mawgan where I spent the next few days (without a beret), waiting for a flight back.
I've since read Varsity accident reports, including one where cadets had to bale out. reply | | MR GEOFF BARRETT, e-mail, 03.05.2022 11:19 On course AE8 at RAF Hullavington, in1958, initially we trained in the Avro Anson but this was replaced with the Varsity. This was great because the greater range meant we could fly down to Gibraltar, via Orange, instead of just the South West of England. reply | | Henry Robert Parkinson, e-mail, 20.09.2020 15:03 I converted onto the Varsity in 1964 after Jet Provost to wings training at Syerston and before going onto the Shackleton. At one point, after a blazing argument with my instructor, over the movie, "The Great Escape" of all things, I was close to being suspended. I was given a "make-or-break" flight with the Chief Instructor, Wing Commander Stanislaus Wandzilak. Thanks to his guidance and support I passed with flying colours. I remember him and the Varsity with great affection. reply | | Tony Lively, e-mail, 15.09.2017 17:43 I worked on Varsitys and Valettas (fondly or otherwise known as "pigs") at Cranwell on Nav Squadron from 1960 to 1962. As an instrument fitter if anything needed changing under the cowlings, they just opened up like flower petals, all the room in the world. Great to fly in also. reply | |
| | Tom osborne, e-mail, 06.07.2017 22:26 Did my flight engineer training on Varsitys at RAF Topcliffe 1972. Great times and trip to Portugal & Gib.for final checkout. reply | | Bruce Allen, e-mail, 21.12.2016 17:37 I was posted out of Cosford B /E as a AWM to RAF Stradishal 1 ANS 63 -65. Did several NAVX's as supenumary crew to Gib, Malta & Tripoli. One occasion we had a double Mag drop on landing at Nice (South of France) for refueling & had to stay there for a week waiting for spares to be flown out! BEA paid for the hotel, billing the RAF we had enough dosh from the imprest to struggle through. Tough duty! reply | | Robert (Clem) Clements, e-mail, 11.09.2016 02:55 National service 1952 to 1954 at 2ANS Thorney Island as Airframe Mechanic. Worked on Wellington, Valletta, Varsity & Anson. Many trips in Varsity. Longest in 1953 to Tripoli. Will always remember lying in bombaimers spot during this flight...like lying on the clouds, incredible feeling. Putting these aircraft to rest involved much marshalling & recall some difficult times at night using light wands. Many hours at night spent when 'circuit & bumps' in operation when tyres etc had to be checked on each landing. reply |
| Frank Twyman, e-mail, 03.06.2016 01:48 Fond memories of this aircraft as I was stationed at Tangmere during 1962 /63 with the calibration flight, as an ex boy entrant this was my first posting as a ground wireless mechanic, our job was to look after a vhf radio that was taken with us on all flights and unloaded at our destination and used by the navigator on the ground while ILS calibrations took place. We flew to most airfields in the uk and Germany as well as doing the round of Gibralter Malta Cyprus and ElAdem, happy days lots of fun. reply | | Steve Burdon, e-mail, 30.04.2016 21:32 I used to see these guys arriving at RAF St.Mawgan all through the '70s. The crew used to enjoy our special tea bar we set up at MDA Flt (Master Diversion Airfield). reply | | Geoff Keyte, e-mail, 25.04.2016 08:46 Back in 1962 or 63 I spent a week at RAF Topcliffe , I was a cadet with 1365 sqdn Aylesbury , we had a long flight over the north sea in a Varsity , I still have the photograph taken of our squadron in front of the aircraft we flew in , happy days !!!! reply | | Clive Brooks, e-mail, 27.03.2016 15:13 Like John Goodwin who posted above I was also stationed at RAF Oakington in the early 1970s and flew as the Engineer on training flights to Berlin on a few occasions. The only time my skills were required was when the aircraft had to divert into RAF Wildenrath with a Magneto problem; we had no spares and support had to be sent out to fix it. Great times and I was also part of the team who saw the Varsity replaced by the Jetstream. (John, can't remember you but, then again, my memory is getting a bit flaky these days!) reply | | John Hubbard, e-mail, 02.03.2016 18:11 I was at Swinderby from July 1953 to May 1954 as a Sgt Air
Signaller during which time I flew over 300hrs in Varsitys.
on NAVEXs.Remember how cold it was at night at 23000 feet on oxygen One of the aircraft was WF372 at that time designated V. She is now at Brooklands Museum where I currently work as a volunteer. re united after all these years. reply | | Brian Sharples, e-mail, 03.02.2016 14:27 I was an engine fitter at No2 ANS,RAF Thorney Island working on Varsity aircraft both 1st and 2nd line servicing from 1961 to 1962 when the unit moved to Stradishall and became o 1 ANS.I have very fond memories of those days and in particular the Varsity (Flying pig). reply | | Les Rockel, e-mail, 14.03.2015 10:51 I was on No 52 AFS course at Oakington on the Varsity during 1966 /67. I enjoyed my six months there very much indeed & went on to the Mk 1 Andover. Happy Days. reply | |
| | Peter Morris, e-mail, 23.01.2015 12:50 I flew in the first Varsities delivered to RAF Swinderby in October 1951. I was unfortunate to be in the first to crash on 15 October 1951, the undercarriage collapsed on landing, due to crew error, no one was hurt, it was a case of flying with the pilots notes on your lap, learning as you flew. reply |
| P Sergeant, e-mail, 03.01.2015 20:50 I flew air experience in the Varsity of 2 ANS at RAF Gaydon late 1960's while also at 637 VGS same base. Spent some great time flying over the Scilly Islands, out into the atlantic, back over the Irish sea, then Bristol Gloucester and back to Gaydon. In the back were Navigator students, and a Instructor, two pilots the captain being a Master Aircrew, his second was a Flying Officer.Spent some hours in the bomb bay great views. Remember the stainless food containers, flasks of coffee, and the chest parachutes fitted along the left side being told if we have trouble get the chute on fast and out the door in 15 seconds because the main spar was magnesium. I remember a flight later packed with civvies which crashed and burned which sent a shiver up my spine. Nice aircraft and great aircrews made the flights special for us as cadets. reply | | ken johnson, e-mail, 08.02.2014 21:50 i was a member of 1869 sqn air cadets in middlesbrough.i spent a week at raf finningley(a v-bomber base)in the 60,s.my first ever flight in a plane was there in a varsity.absolutely marvellous for a lad of 15. reply | | Ken Munday, e-mail, 05.08.2013 15:44 I served at Lindhome when Bomber Command Bombing School was set up. They were delivered new to be used for training in bomb aiming. They were a delight to service after the Lincolns. As their radios were the latest models (apart from the 1954 /1955 sets), so there was very little for an air wireless mechanic to do. reply | | Kelvin Willcocks, e-mail, 08.06.2013 18:24 In the mid 60s I was a young ATC cadet (2336 Sqdn.)and stayed at RAF Oakington as our summer camp. My friend and I flew on a Varsity as an air experience flight. The only instructions by the crew was to stay out of the Gondola and don't touch anything. We proceeded to take off and fly circuits and bumps without any form of restraint! To our amusement the pilot did several touch and goes with one engine cut and the prop feathered. My friend and I were as happy as sand boys and just went where we wanted in the back! What would Health and Safety say about that now?
A great experience and something that would be frownd on now,to the detriment of a young persons learning curve. reply | | ancientwokkadriver, e-mail, 13.05.2013 21:21 I wonder if anyone out there can relate RAF serial numbers to individual fleet letters for the Varsities based at Topcliffe. Can anyone put a serial number on a /c 'U'? reply |
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Peter Morris
Hello Robert,
I am sending this mail in the hope that your contact details have not changed. As a matter of interest I was stationed at Thorney Island from 64 to 65 working out of the sunshine hanger covering Beverlies, Hastings and Argosies along with visiting aircraft. The primary reason I wanted to contact you was, as an airframe person, to ask whether the Varsity had a Magnesium main spar? I am a volunteer at Brooklands museum covering the Varsity and am contemplating rubbing down and retreating areas on this item and wanted to be aware as to what I was dealing with. Thanks in anticipation of your response. Regards.
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