17 July 1949 - 1949: On 17 July 1949, the Vickers Type 668 Varsity VX828 was first flown from Wisley. The Varsity was operated as a twin-engined crew trainer by the RAF for 25 years from 1951. The Varsity powerplant comprised 2 × Bristol Hercules 264 14-cylinder radial engines, 1,950 hp (1,455 kW) each. The Varsity was flown by 10 different RAF Squadrons and 15 Flying Training Schools.Credit: BAE Systems
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