Westland Wallace Mk. II

The Westland Wallace was a general purpose two seat biplane operated by the Royal Air Force from 1933-1943. The Museum’s Wallace had a short operational life, serving with No. 502 Squadron between 1936 and 1937, before moving to the Electrical and Wireless School at RAF Cranwell.

The Wallace was based on the successful Wapiti and incorporated developments from the Westland PV6, used in the Houston Everest Expedition. The type entered service in 1933 but was only issued to four squadrons of the Special Reserve, all of which were incorporated into the Auxiliary Air Force. Despite its short operational life, the type had an important role training Observers and Air Gunners for the expanding Royal Air Force.