The Hampden entered service in 1938 with the nickname 'The Flying Panhandle' because of its pod and boom fuselage layout. The Hampden proved to be an under-performer in terms of a day medium bomber and was easily shot down.
The Handley Page Hampden was one of the RAF's trio of twin-engined medium bombers, along with the Whitley and Wellington. It played a major part in the RAF's night bombing campaign until its relegation to other duties, such as Torpedo bombing and mine laying in 1942. Nicknamed the 'flying suitcase' due to its very narrow fuselage, the Hampden suffered from being underpowered and vulnerable to enemy fighter attack. This relegated it from daylight bombing to first night bombing, then torpedo attacks and mine laying.,B