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Stirling BK718

Type : Stirling Last Flew : 4th July 1943 Known Codes : WP-M

Known information
04th July 1943	Shot down near Cologne. Six of seven crew killed. Rear gunner baled out and was taken prisoner. Crew : Pilot : Flight Lieutenant Robert Platt, Flight Engineer : Sergeant Hugh Murray, Navigator : Pilot Officer Andrew Gilmour, Wireless Operator : Sergeant Oliver Beard, Bomb Aimer : Sergeant Robert Freeland, Gunner : Pilot Officer Geoffrey Smith, Rear Gunner : Sergeant I H Norris.

Pilots and Aircrew who flew : Stirling BK718
A list of all aircrew from our database who are associated with this aircraft. A profile page is available by clicking their name.
Name	Info
Beard, Oliver Click the name above to see a profile of Beard, Oliver    Died : 4 / 7 / 1943	Beard, Oliver Killed aged 21 on 4th July 1943 when his Stirling BK718 WP-M of No.90 Sqn was shot down and crashed near Cologne. He is buried in Overloon War Cemetery. Son of John Oliver Beard and Margaret Beard, of Rock Ferry, Cheshire.
Freeland, Robert Click the name above to see a profile of Freeland, Robert    Died : 4 / 7 / 1943	Freeland, Robert Killed aged 22 on 4th July 1943 when his Stirling BK718 WP-M of No.90 Sqn was shot down and crashed near Cologne. He is buried in Overloon War Cemetery. Son of John and Marion Freeland, of Hamilton, Lanarkshire.
Gilmour, Andrew Patrick Click the name above to see a profile of Gilmour, Andrew Patrick    Died : 4 / 7 / 1943	Gilmour, Andrew Patrick Killed aged 26 on 4th July 1943 when his Stirling BK718 WP-M of No.90 Sqn was shot down and crashed near Cologne. He is buried in Overloon War Cemetery. Son of Andrew Patrick Gilmour and Annie Gilmour, husband of Hilda Gertrude Gilmour, of Laindon, Essex.
Murray, Hugh Click the name above to see a profile of Murray, Hugh    Died : 4 / 7 / 1943	Murray, Hugh Killed aged 25 on 4th July 1943 when his Stirling BK718 WP-M of No.90 Sqn was shot down and crashed near Cologne. He is buried in Overloon War Cemetery. Son of Hugh and Alice Murray; husband of Frances MacMillan Murray.
Norris, I H Click the name above to see a profile of Norris, I H	Norris, I H On 4th July 1943 he was rear gunner in Stirling BK718 WP-M of No.90 Sqn when it was shot down and crashed near Cologne. He managed to escape from the doomed aircraft and parachute to the relative safety of captivity, reportedly 'through' his turret. The rest of the crew did not make it out of the aircraft and were killed. It is known that he visited at least some of the families of his lost crewmates some time after the war.
Platt, Robert Charles Click the name above to see a profile of Platt, Robert Charles    Died : 4 / 7 / 1943	Platt, Robert Charles Killed aged 29 on 4th July 1943 when his Stirling BK718 WP-M of No.90 Sqn was shot down and crashed near Cologne. He is buried in Overloon War Cemetery. Son of James Francis and Amelia Louisa Minnie Platt, of Teddington, Middlesex.
Smith, Geoffrey Charles Click the name above to see a profile of Smith, Geoffrey Charles    Died : 4 / 7 / 1943	Smith, Geoffrey Charles Killed on 4th July 1943 when his Stirling BK718 WP-M of No.90 Sqn was shot down and crashed near Cologne. He is buried in Overloon War Cemetery.

Squadrons for : Stirling BK718
A list of all squadrons known to have flown Stirling BK718. A profile page is available by clicking the squadron name.
Squadron	Info
No.90 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 8th October 1917 Fate : Disbanded 1st March 1965 Celer - Swift Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.90 Sqn RAF	No.90 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.

Aircraft type : Stirling
A profile page including a list of all art prints for the Stirling is available by clicking the aircraft name.
Aircraft	Info
Stirling Click the name above to see prints featuring Stirling aircraft. Manufacturer : Short Production Began : 1939 Number Built : 2381	Stirling The Royal Air Force's first four engined monoplane Bomber, the Short Stirling first flew in May 1939 and entered front line service in August 1940 with no. 7 squadron. Due to its poor operational ceiling the aircraft sustained heavy losses and by mid 1942 the Stirling was beginning to be replaced by the Lancaster. Improved versions of the Short Stirling were built for Glider towing, paratroopers and heavy transport. also from 1943 many of the Stirling's were used for mine laying. A total of 2381 Stirling's were built for the Royal air Force and from this total 641 Stirling bombers were lost to enemy action. Crew 7 or 8: Speed: 260 mph (MK1) 275mph (MKIII) and 280mph (MKV)Service ceiling 17,000 feet Range: 2330 miles. (MK1) 2010 miles (MKIII) and 3,000 miles (MKV) Armament: two .303 Vickers machine guns. in nose turret, two .303 in browning machine guns in dorsal turret , Four .303 Browning machine guns in tail turret. Bomb Load 14,000 Lbs Engines: four 1150 Hp Bristol Hercules II (MK1) four 1650 hp Bristol Hercules XVI (MK111 and MKV)

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