In 1923, Handley Page designed and built a new heavy bomber based on its W.8airliner, the Hyderabad. The Hyderabad was an all-wooden biplane powered by two Napier Lion engines.[1] Forty-five were built, entering service from 1925.[2]
The Hinaidi was an improved version of the Hyderabad built to meet Air MinistrySpecification 13/29. The first machine, the HP33 Hinaidi I -in fact an early production Hyderabad, J7745, with another engine and a change of fin and rudder[3]- first flew on 26 March 1927.[4] At least four Hyderabads were converted to Hinaidi Is, while six late-production Hyderabads were completed as Hinaidi Is, retaining the wooden airframe of the Hyderabads.[3] The first true Hinaidi, the HP36 Hinaidi II, went into production after major structural modifications were implemented, the structure being changed from wooden to metal.
A re-engined version with two 480 hpSiddeley Jaguars was proposed, the HP44 Hinaidi III, but not built.[3]
The first 33 aircraft came into service in 1929,[4] and were issued to No. 99, No. 10 and No. 503 squadrons. Total production ended with 36 aircraft, with some being converted to transport aircraft on the North-West FrontierinIndia. The Clive II transport version operated out of Lahore.
Photo taken c.1930 RAF Upper Heyford (No. 10 Bombing Squadron)
Wooden airframe. Three built, one prototype, J7745, as a conversion of a Hyderabad, two from new, with seven Hyderabads converted.
HP.33 Clive I
One of the Hinaidi I prototypes, J9126, built using a W.10 fuselage as a transport design later converted to become Clive III though not entering service as such. Later as G-ABYX sold to Sir Alan Cobham with his air circus and named "Youth of Australia" and later renamed "Astra".[5]
HP.35 Clive II
Two transport aircraft built, all-metal structure, J9948 and J9949.
HP.36 Hinaidi II
All-metal airframe. 34 built, prototype J9478 and production K1063-K1078 and K1909-K1925. Approximately 20+ aircraft were converted into Clive II transport aircraft configuration in the early 1930s.
Barnes, C. H. Handley Page Aircraft Since 1907. London: Putnam & Company, Ltd., 1987. ISBN0-85177-803-8.
Clayton, Donald C. Handley Page, an Aircraft Album. Shepperton, Surrey, UK: Ian Allan Ltd., 1969. ISBN0-7110-0094-8.
Jarrett, Philip. "By Day and By Night: Hyderabads and Hinadis". Aeroplane Monthly, August 1993, Vol 21 No 8, Issue No 244. London: IPC. ISSN 0143-7240. pp. 18–24.
Mason, Francis K. The British Bomber Since 1914. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books, 1994. ISBN0-85177-861-5.
Thetford, Owen. Aircraft of the Royal Air Force 1918–57, 1st edition. London: Putnam, 1957.
Thetford, Owen. "By Day and By Night: Hyderabads and Hinadis". Aeroplane Monthly, September 1993, Vol 21 No 9, Issue No 245. London: IPC. ISSN 0143-7240. pp. 18–24
United Kingdom
