ICM 1/48 Churchill's 'Flying Suitcase' HP.52 Hampden Bomber # 48354

SKU

ICM48354

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Type:

1/48 Aircraft

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Details

In June 1936, the prototype of a new bomber, developed in response to updated British Air Ministry requirements, took to the skies.

The Royal Air Force required a twin-engine strike aircraft with an enclosed cockpit, retractable landing gear, and the capability to carry a relatively large bomb load over long distances.

The aircraft was designed by a team led by Dr. Gustav Lachmann.

Following a series of trials, serial production of the new bomber began in the spring of 1938.

The aircraft received the designation HP.52 and the name Hampden, in honour of John Hampden, a 17th-century defender of civil liberties.

The first production aircraft entered operational service in the autumn of the same year, and by July 1940, Handley Page had produced 500 units.

Starting in February 1940, English Electric also joined production, manufacturing an additional 770 aircraft by March 1942.

The bomber featured a distinctive fuselage design — narrow and vertically deep — which earned it the nickname “Flying Suitcase.”

Over time, the HP.52 Hampden underwent several external modifications, including redesigns of the nose section and cockpit glazing.

With the introduction of newer heavy bombers, the Hampden was gradually withdrawn from RAF Bomber Command service.

However, it continued to operate with RAF Coastal Command, where it served effectively as a long-range torpedo bomber.

Key Features
- HP.52 Hampden bomber featuring characteristic late-production details
- The geometry and proportions of the original aircraft are preserved
- Detailed rivet detail on the fuselage, wings, and tail surfaces
- The kit includes multiple bomb types that can be placed in the bomb bay and under the wings
- A decal sheet with marking options for four aircraft

More Information

More Information
SKU	ICM48354
Manufacturer	ICM
Scale	1/48
Short Description	The Handley Page Hampden was one of the Royal Air Force’s primary bombers at the start of the Second World War, and one of the most distinctive aircraft of its era. Nicknamed “Churchill’s Flying Suitcase,” it earned this title due to its extremely narrow fuselage, which gave it a cramped and somewhat uncomfortable interior for its crew. Designed by Handley Page, the Hampden first flew in 1936 and entered RAF service shortly before the outbreak of war. It was part of a trio of twin-engine medium bombers—alongside the Wellington and Whitley—that formed the backbone of early British bombing operations. The aircraft’s slim fuselage reduced drag and gave it a relatively high speed for its time, but it came at a cost. Crew members were separated into confined compartments, making communication and movement difficult during missions. Defensive armament was also limited, leaving the Hampden vulnerable to enemy fighters as the war progressed. In the early years of the conflict, the Hampden took part in night bombing raids over Germany and laid naval mines in enemy waters. Later, it found a second life with RAF Coastal Command, where it was adapted to carry torpedoes for anti-shipping strikes—particularly against German naval forces in northern waters. Although quickly overshadowed by more advanced bombers, the Hampden played a crucial role during a critical period of the war. Its unusual shape, demanding crew conditions, and early-war service have ensured its place as one of the more memorable—and characterful—aircraft in RAF history.