The Halifax was designed by Handley Page, over 2000 were built in Preston.

A total of just over 6000 were built during the war and there were 7 variants, Mk1 to MkVII. With the engine power increasing from 1200hp to 1800hp per engine. It was capable of 280mph and a range of 1800miles.

There are 2 still in existance; at Yorkshire Air Museum and at the Canadian Memorial Museum in Ontario.

Some 2500 of these were built at the Preston factories and flying from Samlesbury out of a total of approx 6200.

Prior to the Halifax there were 770 Hampdens built at Preston / Samlesbury, just over half the total build of 1430. The Hampden was first flown in 1936 and production finished in 1941.