The Vickers Vildebeest was an archaic biplane which was ironically the RAF's only operational torpedo bomber at the start of the war due to delays in the introduction of the Beaufort. Deliveries of this aircraft began early in the 1930s and about one hundred examples remained in service at the outbreak of the war where they were used for coastal patrols around the British Isles. More famously, they featured prominently in the defense of Singapore (and the subsequent retreat through the East Indies) where they fought heroically against terrible odds. An army co-operation development, the Vincent, saw extensive action in the Middle East, East Africa, and during the Iraqi rebellion of 1941 although they were eventually used as night bombers and communications aircraft in the Western Desert. Other users included New Zealand and Spain (built by CASA).

The prototype Vildebeest had its maiden flight as early as April 1928 followed by a development phase which lasted a couple of years. The initial production variant, the Vildebeest Mk. I as well as the Mk. II were two-seat models while the Mk. III was a three seater. The final variant was the Mk. IV with more powerful Perseus engines. Meanwhile, the Vincent Mk. I was roughly based on the Vildebeest Mk. III with an added long range fuel tank. Spanish versions were designed as floatplanes with Hispano-Suiza engines.