http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short_Sunderland http://www.odyssey.dircon.co.uk/Sund.htm http://www.fantasyofflight.com/aircraftpages/sunderland.htm - with an excellent insight into mooring the "boat". http://www.divetheworld.com/Diving/warbirds/SunderlandT9044/index.htm One of the greats.
From Flight magazine - 1939: http://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1939/1939 - 0185.pdf http://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1939/1939 - 0186.pdf http://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1939/1939 - 0187.pdf http://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1939/1939 - 0188.pdf http://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1939/1939 - 0191.pdf http://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1939/1939 - 0192.pdf
And a bit of gloating. I have the following book signed by: Air Marshal Sir Edward Chilton, KBE, CB Group Captain G. Francis, DSO, DFC Wg. Cdr Douglas M. Gall, DFC, MA Wg. Cdr. Victor Hodgkinson, DFC, MRAeS Wg, Cdr. H.W. Lamond Wg. Cdr. A.M. G. Lywood, DFC W.E. Mortimer J.C. Norval, I.ENG, FRAeS Wg. Cdr. R.E.G. Van der Kiste, DSO, OBE Chaz Bowyer.
Yes, I picked up on that in one of your recent posts. What are the odds?! :noidea: http://uboat.net/boats/u461.htm http://ahoy.tk-jk.net/macslog/CoastalCommandSunderlandU.html
10 Squadron RAAF Sunderland Crews 1939 10 squadron RAAF would would suffer 161 deaths during ww2. View attachment 552
View attachment 553 Short Sunderland The Sunderland was a maritime patrol aircraft developed from Short's Empire flying boat, built as a passenger airliner in the 1930s. The prototype first flew in October 1937, and the first production model entered service with the Royal Air Force (RAF) in June 1938. In May 1939, it was decided to equip two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) squadrons with Sunderlands. Personnel from the first of these - 10 Squadron - were in the United Kingdom, preparing to take delivery of their aircraft when the Second World War broke out. A second Sunderland squadron - 461 - was formed in Britain in 1941. During the war the Sunderland was employed by the air forces of Australia, Britain, and Canada. It was used principally to escort merchant convoys and hunt enemy submarines in the Atlantic Ocean, and destroyed over 60 U-boats. Belying its somewhat unwieldy appearance, the Sunderland was heavily armed and able to give good account of itself when attacked, which led to German aircrew nicknaming it "the flying porcupine". Many improvements were made to the Sunderland during its career, including the fitting of air-to-surface radar, increased armament, and more powerful engines. Several of these modifications resulted from trials carried out by the RAAF Sunderland squadrons. Sunderlands also served in the Mediterranean, South-East Asian, and Pacific theatres, and as well as their maritime patrol role they were employed as long-range transport aircraft. It was in this latter capacity that 40 Squadron RAAF operated Sunderlands around northern Australia and New Guinea in 1944 and 1945. In all, 749 Sunderlands were manufactured up until production ended in 1946. The last Sunderland was retired from Australian service in 1947 although the type continued serving with the RAF until 1959. Specifications: Short Sunderland Mk III Type: Reconnaissance flying boat Entered service: 1938 Crew: 10-11 Wing span: 34.39 m Length: 26 m Weight (unladen): 15,663 kg Ceiling: 4,880 m Endurance: Maximum range 4,329 km Speed: 338 km/h Armament: 8-12 x .303-in and 2 x .50-in machine-guns up to 907 kg of bombs, mines or depth charges
RAAF Sunderland U/461 Sinking U-Boat U-461 My favourite photo. View attachment 556 'Caught on the Surface'. The sinking of U-461 by an RAAF Sunderland, 461/U, in the Bay of Biscay in July 1943, as depicted by aviation artist Robert Taylor.
Short Sunderland in Korea. View attachment 557 http://www.korean-war.com/KWAircraft/British/short_sunderland_flying_boats.html
I haven't seen this site before. There's some great stories and pictures: Flying Boats and Fellow Travellers
Hi All, I got up next to the Short Sunderland at Duxford and was very impressed. She dominates the landscape within a very impressive display hall. IWM Duxford - Europe's premier aviation museum : Short Sunderland Cheers Owen
Kyt - Alan Lywood - one time CO at 131 OUT KIlladeas - he helped set up the blind approach system to the flarepath at Lough Erne. Gut Van der Kiste one time CO of 201 , Doulgas Gall he sank U-440 and survived a crash on a flat calm Lought Erne on 30th June 43. (He was instructing at the time). Vic Hodgskinson - another good man. I bought C. Bowyers book but got mine signed up by various flying boat men I came into contact with over the years - it became something which I just asked folks to do , a book I would hate to part company with.
