Short Stirling - 'Forgotten bomber'
by Pat Speirs
Title
Short Stirling - 'Forgotten bomber'
Artist
Pat Speirs
Medium
Photograph - Digital Art Print
Description
Short Stirling
�Forgotten Bomber�
The first, and only, originally designed four engined heavy bomber for the RAF - as both the Lancaster and Halifax started life as twin engined aircraft. A genuine heavyweight coming in at 47,000 lbs, unloaded, some 10,000 lbs heavier than the Lancaster or Halifax. Poor wing design resulted in a ludicrous service ceiling of 15,000 ft although it regularly failed to achieve that when loaded, some 12,000 ft being a more likely operational height. Another design limitation was the inability to take any bomb larger than 2,000 lbs.
Despite these drawbacks the Stirling served with over 30 RAF Bomber Squadrons until late 1943 when it reverted to special ops and transport duties. Over 2,200 were supplied to the RAF and none survive, even as static display versions. The image is posted in recognition of the great service provided by the �forgotten� Stirling boys.
Uploaded
May 31st, 2012
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