Sunderland flying boat. a full VIP walk around of the Short Sunderland flying boat. By 1910, the company had already outgrown the site and moved to Eastchurch. 23 Empire flying boat, which had provided luxurious and comfortable long-distance travel for the well-heeled British public before the outbreak of the war. A flying boat was developed under factory designation S. Because it bristled with armament, the Germans regarded it as the “Flying Porcupine. I had the opportunity to do this during a hangar reset, when the Sunderland May 8, 2019 · The Short S-25 Sunderland was a development of the commercial Short “C” Class flying-boat designed to fulfill a specification issued by the RAF for a four-engine monoplane to serve in the coastal patrol and long-range reconnaissance roles. Flying passenger and mail services to the colonies in Africa and Australia, these beautiful flying boats were the flagship aircraft of Imperial Airways and were a source of fascination for the British public, who could only dream of taking one of these The Sunderland was developed from the early British flying boats that serviced the Empire during the last Colonial days prior to World War II. It entered service in June 1938 and was the first British flying boat to have power-operated gun turrets as part of its defensive armament. ” The Sunderland was produced as a military development of the ‘C’-Class Empire flying-boat operated by Imperial Airways. It was designed and built by Short Brothers, entering service in 1938, and remained operational in various roles until the 1960s. It had great endurance, and carried the latest anti-submarine detection equipment and specialized sea-war weaponry. It was one of the most Mar 11, 2020 · ML824 Pembroke Docks last Sunderland. Short Sunderland in New Zealand service A Short Sunderland MR5 of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, displayed at the Museum of Transport and Technology in Auckland The Short Sunderland was developed as a long range maritime reconnaissance flying boat and was widely used during the Second World War. 25 which could, based on the experience with the Empire aircrat, count on an immediate order of 21 units in March 1936. Sep 13, 2022 · A comprehensive history of the British World War II maritime patrol aircraft, covering its development, service, and operations in various theaters. Apr 25, 2022 · Return To Gallery Index. 2//33, inviting Short and Saunders Roe to construct two prototypes. The first operational squadron was fully equipped with Sunderlands by December, 1938. Here's a tour I've been wanting to do for sometime now . On completion of 'Rigger' training he was posted to 204 (Flying Boat) Squadron at RAF Mountbatten in Plymouth, Devon, where he worked on the Mk I Sunderland Flying Boats. Based in part upon the S. He initially flew with 204 Sqn from 1 Oct 1939 to 1 Jan 1940 - as an AC I Rigger/ Air Gunner. The Sunderland, with its crew of ten, was heavily armed and became known to the Luftwaffe as the “Stachelschwein” (porcupine). In 1940, British shipping came under constant attack by German U-boats. Learn about the Short Sunderland, a legendary patrol flying-boat of British Commonwealth forces in World War II. 23 Empire flying boat has to be considered as one of the most visually appealing four-engined aircraft ever to take to the skies. Dec 28, 2024 · The Short Sunderland was a British flying boat and one of the most iconic maritime patrol aircraft of World War II. . A look at the service career of the most successful British flying boat of the Second World War, and a key component in Coastal Command's battle against the U-boat. 25 Sunderland, in spite of being one of the last flying-boats designed, was durable enough to remain in service for some twenty-one years, and is generally considered to have been one of the finest flying boats ever built. Soon after, Horace Short became The Short Sunderland, a flying boat, emerged in the 1930s as a response to a growing need for long-range maritime patrol aircraft. Remaining in service with the Royal Air Force until 1959 the Short Sunderland would serve during the Berlin Airlift and Korean War. It was developed in parallel with the Short Sunderland maritime patrol bomber, which served in the Second World War along Sep 2, 2023 · The Sunderland was a direct descendant of the Short Empire C class seaplanes of the 30s. The Sunderland was a flying boat, developed for general reconnaissance. 25" or "Sunderland", which would become one of the most famous flying boats ever built. It took its service name from the town (latterly, city) and port of Sunderland in northeast England. The Sunderland replaced the RAF’s mixed fleet of biplane flying boats and represented a huge leap in capability. All rights reserved. One of the answers to this dilemma was found in the Short Sunderland flying-boat, a truly remarkable aircraft and mechanical wonder in many respects. The Short Empire was a four-engined monoplane transport flying boat, designed and developed by Short Brothers during the 1930s to meet the requirements of the British Empire, specifically to provide air service from the UK to South Africa, Singapore and Australia in stages. In this video I visit RAF Museum in Hendon, London to take a look at the Short Sunderland Flying Boat that is housed there in the main hanger. 25 Sunderland was a British flying boat patrol bomber developed for the Royal Air Force (RAF) by Short Brothers. Capable of staying airborne for 16 hours, they were used for coastal patrol, cargo, air-sea rescue, and convoy protection against enemy The Sunderland was produced as a military development of the ‘C’-Class Empire flying-boat operated by Imperial Airways. In 1933, the Air Ministry had issued specification R. 23 "Empire" or "C-class" flying boat, the flagship of Imperial Airways. The S. 23 Empire flying boat, the flagship of Imperial Airways, the S. Oct 25, 2024 · The Sunderland flying boat, although less known than the Spitfire or Hurricane, was a powerful and versatile aircraft during WWII. . Covers the introduction of the aircraft, its role in the Battle of the Atlantic, the Mediterranean, West Africa and other theatres. Military strategists recognized the vast expanses of the ocean couldn’t be effectively monitored with the technology available at the time. The author, a former RAF pilot and Sunderland crew member, provides extensive research and photographs of the "Flying Porcupines". With its four Pegasus engines, it was well-equipped to detect and attack German submarines, especially in the Atlantic battles where U-boats posed a grave threat to Allied ships. Apr 5, 2023 · The Sunderland was a derivative of the beautiful and elegant S. It was used in the Second World War, the Korean War, and the Berlin airlift, and remained in service until 1967. The Sunderland was based on the earlier Empire. 25 first flew on 16 October 1937. The Short Sunderland is a British flying boat patrol bomber developed by Short Brothers for the Royal Air Force and other Allied air forces. The first Sunderland flew in 1937 and was the first British flying boat to have power-operated gun turrets. It was developed from the S. Jun 28, 2020 · The large, graceful Sunderland was among World War II’s best flying boats. Nov 15, 2024 · The Short S. 25 was extensively re-engineered for military service. Once the United States The Short brothers, Horace, Eustace and Oswald, established their eponymous company at Battersea in November 1908 to build balloons. They quickly spotted the potential for powered flight and were awarded a contract to build six Wright Flyers, which they did at a new factory at Leysdown. Capable of staying airborne for 16 hours, they were used for coastal patrol, cargo, air-sea rescue, and convoy protection against enemy The Short S. To meet the requirements of the Air Ministry Specification Jul 25, 2025 · A Sunderland flying boat crewman’s bravery nearly 70 years ago has been commemorated through the donation of a George Medal to the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre Short Sunderland Squadrons of World War 2, Jon Lake. The Empire boats would be little more than a footnote in aviation history except for the fact that this family of aircraft included a military type, the "S. © The Aviation History On-Line Museum. Oct 16, 2017 · The four-engined Sunderland flying boat played a pivotal role for Coastal Command in the Battle of the Atlantic during the Second World War in the fight against the German U-boats. You’ve got to understand, the geopolitical climate was tense. Posted April 25, 2022. Short was this video aboard the Short Sunderland flying boat was filmed in 2015 at the Royal Air Force Museum in Hendon not long after this the area was closed for reworking to change the exhibitions we Nov 3, 2007 · The Short S. The Short S. See its features, missions, improvements and photos in this comprehensive factfile. pdvct ds6 ux1dn owzby 3490a kn8 zoqcjdx lxz rs5w5 udyvou96