The first production standard Wellington. It was effectively a new aircraft with little of the prototype, K4049, retained. Photo from: Imperial War Museum

The RNZAF ordered 30 Wellingtons prior to World War II, a remarkable decision because it had no fighter aircraft at all and its combat capability was otherwise limited to obsolete biplanes such as Vildebeests. The Wellingtons started rolling off the production line just as war commenced and were passed to the RAF. NZ303 was used mainly in a training role and was struck off the RAF's charge in 1946. Photo from: Air Force Museum of New Zealand

This Vickers Wellington was shot down over Haarlem (the Netherlands) on 6 July 1940. It crashed and burnt on the Oudeweg, during which it destroyed seven houses. From Beeldbank Noord Hollands Archief NL-HlmNHA_17502

Early Wellington bombers of No 9 Sqn over England in 1939. The nose guns are in covers. Over 11,000 Wellingtons were built! Photo by: Charles E Brown