Churchill's "Flying Suitcase"

Plastic model kit for building a late British HP.52 Hampden bomber
Churchill’s “Flying Suitcase”

• Scale 1:48
• The geometry and proportions of the original aircraft are preserved.
• Detailed rivet details on the fuselage, wings, and tail surfaces.
• Includes several bomb types that can be placed in the bomb bay and under the wings.
• 4 marking options
• Unbuilt / unpainted
• Paint and glue not included

In October 1931, the British Air Ministry began drawing up the specifications for a new bomber to replace the aging biplanes. Specification B.9/32 was drawn up in August 1932, and several manufacturers competed for the contract. Handley Page's HP.52 was selected, and the prototype was completed in the spring of 1936. In June, it made its successful maiden flight, reaching a speed of 426 km/h and capable of carrying over 1,800 kg of bombs. In July, it was presented to King Edward VIII. On October 4, 1937, the Air Ministry approved the HP.52 Hampden B.Mk.I (named after the 17th-century defender John Hampden).

Production began in the spring of 1938, and the first aircraft entered service in the autumn. By July 1940, Handley Page had produced 500 aircraft. English Electric entered production in February 1940 and built another 770 aircraft by March 1942. Production in Canada followed. From the beginning of the Second World War, the HP.52 Hampden was actively used against Germany, carrying out ground attacks, bombing raids, anti-ship attacks, and mine-laying missions. It served with Bomber Command until autumn 1942 and was then transferred to Coastal Command in spring 1942, where many were converted into torpedo bombers.