Framed Print : Handley Page (Reading) HPR1 Marathon

EDITORS COMMENTS

In this photograph taken at the SBAC Farnborough Airshow in September 1952, the Handley Page (Reading) HPR1 Marathon prototype, registration number WG563, takes center stage. The Marathon was a postwar development by the Handley Page Aircraft Company in Reading, England, which was renowned for its innovative designs and significant contributions to British aviation. The RAF (Royal Air Force) was actively seeking a successor to its aging Hampden and Halifax bombers, and the Marathon was one of several contenders for the role. This prototype, designed by George Kitteredge and powered by two Rolls-Royce Avon RA.7 engines, was a sleek and modern design for its time, featuring a wing span of 112 feet and a length of 103 feet. The Marathon was a monoplane with a twin tail, and its advanced design included a pressurized cabin, allowing for greater crew comfort and endurance on long-range missions. The aircraft's impressive capabilities were showcased at the Farnborough Airshow, where it drew considerable attention from both military and civilian spectators. Despite its promising start, the Marathon program ultimately did not progress beyond the prototype stage due to budget constraints and the emergence of other more advanced designs. Nevertheless, the Handley Page HPR1 Marathon prototype remains an important chapter in the history of British aviation, representing a bold step towards the future of military aircraft design. This photograph, taken by Charles E. Brown for the RAF Museum, offers a unique glimpse into the past, capturing the Marathon prototype in its prime and preserving the spirit of innovation and progress that characterized postwar aviation.