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No.51 Sqn RAF

Name : No.51 Sqn RAF Founded : 15th May 1916 Country : UK More Details : Swift and sure Known Code Letters : , C6, MB, MH, TB, UT, LK,

Known Service Details :
Pilot or Aircrew	Rank	Start of Service	End of Service	Known Dates	Aircraft	Airframes	Notes
R. C. Alabaster	Pilot Officer	unknown	unknown	03rd April 1941	Whitley	T4299
L. J. Allum	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	11th February 1941 03rd April 1941	Whitley	T4217 T4299
D. C. Beddow	Sergeant	unknown	2nd March 1941	11th February 1941	Whitley	P5013 N1481	Killed in Action
J. Bowes	Sergeant	unknown	27th February 1941		Whitley	P4934	Killed in Action
D. L. Bowyer	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	07th April 1941	Whitley	T4298
D. L. Boyer	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	11th February 1941	Whitley	P4981
W. N. Brindley	Sergeant	unknown	4th April 1941		Whitley	T4299	Killed in Action
John Alan Broadley	Pilot Officer	18th November 1941	July 1942
V. W. Bruce	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	01st March 1941	Whitley	P5108
C. Calvert	Sergeant	unknown	4th April 1941		Whitley	Z6556	Killed in Action
Carter	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	11th February 1941 27th February 1941	Whitley	P4974 P4934
G. H. Carter	Sergeant	unknown	2nd February 1941	11th February 1941	Whitley	P5013 N1481	Killed in Action
James Castagnola		unknown	unknown
Chapman	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	26th February 1941	Whitley	T4148
Chappell	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	26th February 1941	Whitley	T4148
Clarke	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	11th February 1941 27th February 1941	Whitley	P4974 P4934
S. J. Congdon	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	11th February 1941	Whitley	T4217
D. G. Farmer	Sergeant	unknown	4th April 1941		Whitley	Z6556	Killed in Action
I. H. Fenton	Sergeant	unknown	27th February 1941	11th February 1941	Whitley	P4974 P4934	Killed in Action
Flower	Pilot Officer	unknown	unknown	11th February 1941	Whitley	P4981
Garnett	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	11th February 1941	Whitley	P5013
Gibson	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	03rd April 1941	Whitley	T4299
E. S. C. Halsall	Sergeant	unknown	2nd March 1941	11th February 1941	Whitley	P5013 N1481	Killed in Action
J. Harrington	Sergeant	unknown	4th April 1941		Whitley	Z6556	Killed in Action
Henderson	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	11th February 1941	Whitley	P4974
E. Hughes	Sergeant	unknown	2nd March 1941	11th February 1941	Whitley	P5013 N1481	Killed in Action
W. F. Hurst	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	11th February 1941	Whitley	P4981
R. V. Huston	Sergeant	unknown	2nd March 1941		Whitley	P5108	Killed in Action
J. N. A. James	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	11th February 1941	Whitley	P4981
T. H. Knighton	Sergeant	unknown	4th April 1941		Whitley	Z6556	Killed in Action
A. Mather	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	01st March 1941	Whitley	P5108
Matthewman	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	11th February 1941	Whitley	T4217
E. F. Matthews	Sergeant	unknown	2nd March 1941		Whitley	P5108	Killed in Action
David Lorraine Lloyd Morris	Pilot Officer	unknown	24th January 1938		Anson	K6277	Plt Off David Lorraine Lloyd Morris (23)was killed when his Anson I K6277, 51 Sqn, Boscombe Down Crashed into trees at night, Ibworth, near Basingstoke also injured were Sgt Donald William Mansbridge Act Plt Off Cecil Wardman Poulter AC2 Ronald Harry Price Killed in Action
J. A. Patterson	Sergeant	unknown	27th February 1941		Whitley	P4934	Killed in Action
J. K. Purdon	Sergeant	unknown	4th April 1941		Whitley	Z6556	Killed in Action
Radford	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	11th February 1941	Whitley	P4981
Salt	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	11th February 1941	Whitley	T4217
M. E. Sharp	Pilot Officer	unknown	unknown	11th February 1941	Whitley	T4217
M. E. Sharpe	Pilot Officer	unknown	unknown	03rd April 1941	Whitley	T4299
R. Smith	Sergeant	unknown	2nd March 1941		Whitley	P5108	Killed in Action
C. Snook	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	07th April 1941	Whitley	T4298
Walker	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	26th February 1941	Whitley	T4148
T. C. Wall	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	26th February 1941	Whitley	T4148
T. C. Wall	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	26th February 1941	Whitley	T4148
J. R. Wanbon	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	11th February 1941	Whitley	P4974

Pilots and Aircrew for : No.51 Sqn RAF
A list of all aircrew from our database who are associated with this squadron. A profile page is available by clicking their name.
Name	Info
Alabaster, R. C. Click the name above to see a profile of Alabaster, R. C.	Alabaster, R. C.
Allum, L. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Allum, L. J.	Allum, L. J.
Beddow, D. C. Click the name above to see a profile of Beddow, D. C.    Died : 2 / 3 / 1941	Beddow, D. C.
Bowes, J. Click the name above to see a profile of Bowes, J.    Died : 27 / 2 / 1941	Bowes, J.
Bowyer, D. L. Click the name above to see a profile of Bowyer, D. L.	Bowyer, D. L.
Boyer, D. L. Click the name above to see a profile of Boyer, D. L.	Boyer, D. L.
Brindley, W. N. Click the name above to see a profile of Brindley, W. N.    Died : 4 / 4 / 1941	Brindley, W. N.
Broadley, John Alan Click the name above to see a profile of Broadley, John Alan    Died : 18 / 2 / 1944	Broadley, John Alan Flight Lieutenant J. A. Bill Broadley, DSO, DFC, DFM: John Alan Broadley was born in Richmond, Yorkshire in 1921. Joining the RAF on leaving school, he trained as a Sergeant Observer, and flew many operations over Germany during the first two years of war. He joined No.9 Squadron May 1941, and became Pick Pickards regular navigator. During June-August he flew with Pickard against major German targets such as Hamburg, Dusseldorf, Cologne and was awarded the DFM for outstanding ability and courage. In August 1941 he was posted to No.138 Squadron, a special duties unit, supplying the resistance and dropping / recovering agents. November 18th 1941 he was commissioned as Pilot Officer and moved to No.51 squadron. During the night of February 27th/28th 1942, he flew with Pickard on Operation Biting, which involved dropping paratroops to recover parts of the German Wurzburg radar from Bruneral, near Le Havre. July 1942 he was posted to No.296 Squadron a glider towing unit. During November, Broadley moved to No.161 Squadron, another special duties unit and whilst here was awarded the DFC, DSO and also gained promotion to Flight Lieutenant. On 1st December 1943 he made his final move to No.21 Squadron part of 140 Wing, 2nd Tactical Air Force. Appointed Wing Navigational Officer during January 1944. Flew many low level raids with Pickard, culminating with Operation Jericho. He was killed in action on 18th February 1944 when his Mosquito Mk.FB.VI EG-F of No.464 Sqn RAAF was shot down by Fw190s during the Amiens raid. He is buried in St Pierre cemetery, Amiens. Son of Thomas Pearson Broadley and Irene Broadley.
Bruce, V. W. Click the name above to see a profile of Bruce, V. W.	Bruce, V. W.
Calvert, C. Click the name above to see a profile of Calvert, C.    Died : 4 / 4 / 1941	Calvert, C.
Carter, Click the name above to see a profile of Carter,	Carter,
Carter, G. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Carter, G. H.    Died : 2 / 3 / 1941	Carter, G. H.
Castagnola, James Click the name above to see a profile of Castagnola, James	Castagnola, James Joining the RAF in 1941 he graduated as a pilot after completing his training in America. Returning to England he joined 51 Squadron in early 1943 flying from RAF Snaith. Joining 617 Squadron in early 1944 he took part in many of the squadrons successes including attacks on U-boat pens and all three raids against the Tirpitz. Born in 1922 in Islington, Cass as he was known to all, enlisted in 1941 and trained in North America. Returning to England he crewed up at OTU and after completing their HCU course the crew, captained by a newly commissioned Cass, joined 57 Squadron in December 1943 for their first tour of operations. They were to be blooded with a series of attacks against Berlin, completing three operations against this target in four nights during January 1944. In all Cass was to visit the Big City eight times during his tour. During the Nuremberg operation of 30/31 March 1944 his Lancaster's rear turret guns froze up but a burst from the mid-upper caused an approaching Me 210 to break away. On return his gunners also claimed one Ju 88 destroyed and another damaged. On 5 April 1944 the crew were one of six attached along with their aircraft to the Squadron at Woodhall Spa, to provide an H2S capability. After an initial trip as passenger with Fg Off Fearn for the attack against the Luftwaffe Depot at St Cyr on 10 April to observe the Squadron's methods, Cass found himself non-operational for a month as the Squadron trained intensively for Operation Taxable. Teamed up with Nick Knilans he completed the D-Day deception operation and three nights later he was operating against the Saumur railway tunnel. Unable to carry Tallboy, his H2S equipped aircraft was loaded with thousand pounders to be aimed at the adjacent railway bridge across the Loire. His next three trips were as an additional member of Knilans'crew. By July Cass had been posted back to 57 Sqn at East Kirkby and would complete his first tour with them.He was not away from Woodhall for long, arriving back on the Squadron on 15 August to start his second tour. This was to be much more satisfying. With his trademark 'operationally battered' cap, Cass and his crew soon proved themselves a popular and valuable asset to the Squadron. Starting with a trip to Brest on 27 August and now carrying Tallboy they were part of the high level force for the attack on the Kembs Dam, and took part in all three operations against Tirpitz, claiming a direct hit in the middle of the superstructure during the final attack. During the attack on Bergen on 12 January 1945 his aircraft came under fighter attack and Cass dived to within the range of the flak batteries; the fighter deigned to follow. Heading out to sea he spotted Ian Ross' aircraft at low level, on fire and under fighter attack. With his bomb aimer manning the front turret and without thinking of his own safety Cass dived to offer whatever assistance he could. He was successful in driving the fighter away, but Ross was forced to ditch, while Cass circled overhead dropping an emergency radio wrapped in Mae Wests when it was seen that Ross' dinghy had not deployed. Climbing to 500 feet they signalled the ditched Lancaster's position and remained in the area, seeking cloud cover when a German fighter came too close. With fuel running low he was eventually forced to leave the stricken crew to their fate. The remaining months saw a new routine develop, railway viaducts replacing U-boat pens as targets during February and March, before returning to April's target list, along with other naval targets during the last month of hostilities. After a total of 62 operations Cass' war came to an end on 19 April 1945 with an attack on the island fortress of Heligoland. The latter part of 1945 saw him as the Squadron's Inspector Pilot as they worked up for 'Tiger Force' – the RAF's projected contribution to the Pacific War but, with the squadron prepared to go overseas to India, in January 1946 he was posted to RAF Snaith, to conduct aircrew training. Having been awarded the DFC for his time on 57 Sqn, Cass was to receive a bar in March 1945 for his service with 617 and a further award of the DSO in October 1945.Awarded a permanent commission in 1947, he was posted to the Central Flying Establishment, RAF West Raynham, flying Mosquitos, Vampires and Meteors, before transferring to the Empire Test Pilots School, RAE Farnborough, in March 1950. After qualifying as a test pilot his experience was put to good use for four years at the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, Boscombe Down. Cass transferred to fighters in April 1954 and served in the Middle East and Germany before becoming Officer Commanding No. 41 Sqn, Biggin Hill, flying the Hunter F 5. In keeping with a number of pilots following their fighter tour, at the beginning of 1958 he was sent on a radar control course prior to being posted to Neatishead radar station, Norfolk, as Control Executive. After a final tour as a Staff Officer with HQ No. 13 Group, at Ouston, he left the RAF in November 1961 as a Squadron Leader, joining British Airways as a captain on Comets and Tridents until his retirement in 1980.
Chapman, Click the name above to see a profile of Chapman,	Chapman,
Chappell, Click the name above to see a profile of Chappell,	Chappell,
Clarke, Click the name above to see a profile of Clarke,	Clarke,
Congdon, S. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Congdon, S. J.	Congdon, S. J.
Farmer, D. G. Click the name above to see a profile of Farmer, D. G.    Died : 4 / 4 / 1941	Farmer, D. G.
Fenton, I. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Fenton, I. H.    Died : 27 / 2 / 1941	Fenton, I. H.
Flower, Click the name above to see a profile of Flower,	Flower,
Garnett, Click the name above to see a profile of Garnett,	Garnett,
Gibson, Click the name above to see a profile of Gibson,	Gibson,
Halsall, E. S. C. Click the name above to see a profile of Halsall, E. S. C.    Died : 2 / 3 / 1941	Halsall, E. S. C.
Harrington, J. Click the name above to see a profile of Harrington, J.    Died : 4 / 4 / 1941	Harrington, J.
Henderson, Click the name above to see a profile of Henderson,	Henderson,
Hughes, E. Click the name above to see a profile of Hughes, E.    Died : 2 / 3 / 1941	Hughes, E.
Hurst, W. F. Click the name above to see a profile of Hurst, W. F.	Hurst, W. F.
Huston, R. V. Click the name above to see a profile of Huston, R. V.    Died : 2 / 3 / 1941	Huston, R. V.
James, J. N. A. Click the name above to see a profile of James, J. N. A.	James, J. N. A.
Kenwright, Ernest Click the name above to see a profile of Kenwright, Ernest	Kenwright, Ernest Joining the RAF in 1940 he was initially posted to Cardington as a driver and ended up on the Isle of Sheppey releasing explosive met balloons in order to hamper enemy aircraft. Volunteering for aircrew he attended a gunnery course at Stormy Down in 1942 and shortly after joined 51 squadron at Snaith in Yorkshire, as a Rear Gunner on Halifaxes. In 1943 after many operations with the main force he volunteered for the Pathfinders and joined 35 Squadron at Gravely on both the Halifax and Lancaster. He remained with this unit until the end of the war completing 82 operations and left the RAF in 1946
Knighton, T. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Knighton, T. H.    Died : 4 / 4 / 1941	Knighton, T. H.
Maltas, Fred Click the name above to see a profile of Maltas, Fred	Maltas, Fred Fred joined the RAF as a Flight Engineer and was originally sent to 51 Squadron at RAF Snaith on Halifaxes. He then joined 35 Squadron as they undertook their Pathfinder duties. On his 2nd operation to Krefeld on 21st June 1943 his Halifax HR799 was shot down, and Fred ended up as a PoW in Stalag Luft VI.
Manning, Reg Click the name above to see a profile of Manning, Reg	Manning, Reg Flight Engineer, 10, 51 and 76 Squadrons.
Mather, A. Click the name above to see a profile of Mather, A.	Mather, A.
Matthewman, Click the name above to see a profile of Matthewman,	Matthewman,
Matthews, E. F. Click the name above to see a profile of Matthews, E. F.    Died : 2 / 3 / 1941	Matthews, E. F.
Morris, David Lorraine Lloyd Click the name above to see a profile of Morris, David Lorraine Lloyd    Died : 24 / 1 / 1938	Morris, David Lorraine Lloyd Became Pilot Officer on 12th October 1937 Plt Off David Lorraine Lloyd Morris (23)was killed when his Anson I K6277, 51 Sqn, Boscombe Down Crashed into trees at night, Ibworth, near Basingstoke also injured were Sgt Donald William Mansbridge Act Plt Off Cecil Wardman Poulter AC2 Ronald Harry Price
Patterson, J. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Patterson, J. A.    Died : 27 / 2 / 1941	Patterson, J. A.
Purdon, J. K. Click the name above to see a profile of Purdon, J. K.    Died : 4 / 4 / 1941	Purdon, J. K.
Radford, Click the name above to see a profile of Radford,	Radford,
Rutter, Peter Click the name above to see a profile of Rutter, Peter	Rutter, Peter Flew on Whitley Bombers with 51 Squadron.
Salt, Click the name above to see a profile of Salt,	Salt,
Sharp, M. E. Click the name above to see a profile of Sharp, M. E.	Sharp, M. E.
Sharpe, M. E. Click the name above to see a profile of Sharpe, M. E.	Sharpe, M. E.
Smith, R. Click the name above to see a profile of Smith, R.    Died : 2 / 3 / 1941	Smith, R.
Snook, C. Click the name above to see a profile of Snook, C.	Snook, C.
Tait, J B Click the name above to see a profile of Tait, J B    Died : 31 / 5 / 2007	Tait, J B One of Bomber Commands most outstanding leaders, James Willie Tait was one of only two RAF officers who had the distinction of being awarded three Bars to his DSO, as well as a DFC and Bar. On the night before D-Day Tait was the 5 Group Master Bomber directing from the air the massed attack by Lancasters on the German defences in the Cherbourg peninsula. By then Tait had already flown more than 100 bomber sorties with 51, 35, 10 and 78 Squadrons. A Cranwell-trained regular officer, he was very much in the Cheshire mould: quiet, bordering on the introspective. He was to go on to command the legendary 617 Dambusters Squadron and lead it on one of its most famous raids which finally destroyed the German battleship Tirpitz. In July 1944 when Leonard Cheshire was replaced by Wing Commander J B Willie Tait, 617 Squadron discovered that it had acquired a Commanding Officer very much in the Cheshire mould. Quiet, bordering on introspection, Tait, who was a Cranwell-trained regular officer, had already flown over 100 bombing operations with 51, 35, 10 and 78 Squadrons before joining 617. Tait had also received a DSO and bar and the DFC. He was 26. In the best traditions of 617 Squadron, Tait wasted no time in adapting to the Mustang and Mosquito for low level marking. He appointed two new Flight Commanders including Squadron Leader Tony Iveson DFC. Although involved in many of 617 Squadrons spectacular operations, Taits name is always associated with the destruction of the Tirpitz. An earlier attack on the ship by the squadron on 15th September 1944 had caused severe damage but Tirpitz was still afloat. On 29th October the Squadron was frustrated on the second attack by cloud over the target. The final attack was launched in daylight on 12th November 1944. Leading a mixed force of 617 and 9 Squadron Lancasters, Tait achieved complete surprise and had the satisfaction of seeing the Tirpitz destroyed at last. He had led all three attacks. On 28th December 1944 Tait received a third bar to his DSO, becoming one of only two RAF men to achieve this distinction. It coincided with his leaving 617 Squadron. Tait served in the post-war RAF, retiring as a Group Captain in 1966. He died 31st May 2007. Citation for the second bar to the Distinguished Service Order, gazetted 22nd September 1944. Since he was awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Service Order this officer has completed many sorties against targets in enemy-occupied territory and Germany. On several occasions Wing Commander Tait has remained in the immediate vicinity of the target area, often in the face of heavy opposition, for a considerable time. His excellent leadership, gallantry and untiring devotion to duty have contributed materially to the successes achieved by the squadron he commands. London Gazette, 1944. Citation for the third bar to the Distinguished Servide Order, gazetted 9th January 1945. This officer has displayed conspicuous bravery and extreme devotion to duty in the face of the enemy, constantly exemplified over a long period of operational flying. He has completed a very large number of sorties, many of them against most dangerous and difficult targets and the successes obtained are a magnificent tribute to his brilliant leadership and unsurpassed skill. On 3 occasions, Wing Commander Tait has led attacks on the German battleship Tirpitz. The last occasion was on 12th November, 1944. The vessel was lying at Tromso. Visibility was good as Wing Commander Tait led his squadron in to the attack. In spite of continuous fire from 3 ships and from land batteries, the attack was pressed home. The first bomb, dropped by Wing Commander Tait, hit the Tirpitz. Another hit was obtained almost immediately and another 12,000 lb bomb fell close alongsdie. The battleship caught fire and smoke poured from her. Finally, she capsized. By his outstanding skill and leadership, Wing Commander Tait played a prominent part in the success of the operation. This officer has completed 98 sorties and throughout has set an example of a high order. London Gazette, 1945.
Wagner, Henry Click the name above to see a profile of Wagner, Henry	Wagner, Henry As a Flight Engineer with 51 Squadron flying Halifax bombers, Henry was shot down just before Christmas 1944 and spent the last 6 months of the war as a PoW in Stalug Luft 7.
Walker, Click the name above to see a profile of Walker,	Walker,
Wall, T. C. Click the name above to see a profile of Wall, T. C.	Wall, T. C.
Wanbon, J. R. Click the name above to see a profile of Wanbon, J. R.	Wanbon, J. R.

Aircraft for : No.51 Sqn RAF
A list of all aircraft associated with No.51 Sqn RAF. A profile page including a list of all art prints for the aircraft is available by clicking the aircraft name.
Aircraft	Info
Anson Click the name above to see prints featuring Anson aircraft. Manufacturer : Avro Production Began : 1935 Retired : 1968 Number Built : 11020	Anson he Avro Anson originated from the Avro 652 commercial aircraft which first flew on 7th January 1935. It was a twin-engine British-built multi-role aircraft which saw distinctive service with both the Royal Air Force and The Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm as well as The Royal Canadian Air Force during and after the Second World War. The prototype 652A first flew at Woodford on 7th January 1935 and was developed from an initial airliner design and named after Admiral George Anson. The adaptation for a coastal reconnaissance role resulted in the production variant, the Avro 652a, which flew at Woodford on New Years Eve 1935 with the type entering service in March 1936 as the Anson Mk1. Initially it was flown with a 3-man crew but later developments in its reconnaissance role required a 4th crew member. The Anson entered service on 6 March 1936 with 48 Squadron equipped with the Anson. At the start of the Second World War, the RAF had received 824 Ansons and there were 26 RAF squadrons operating the Anson I: 10 with Coastal Command and 16 with Bomber Command. All of the squadrons in Bomber Command in 1939 with Anson Is were operational training squadrons that prepared crews for frontline service. 12 of the squadrons were in No. 6 (Operational Training) Group. Newly formed crews having completed individual flying and technical training were first trained as bomber crews in Ansons and then advanced to the various frontline aircraft types, which were also in the same squadrons with the Ansons. After training in the frontline aircraft type, crews would advance to the frontline bomber squadrons with those aircraft types (Fairey Battle, Bristol Blenheim, Vickers Wellington, Armstrong Whitworth Whitley, and Handley-Page Hampden). At the start of the war, the Lockheed Hudson was beginning to replace the Ansons in Coastal Command with one squadron of Hudsons and one with both Ansons and Hudsons. Limited numbers of Ansons continued to serve in operational roles such as coastal patrols and air/sea rescue. Early in the war, an Anson scored a probable hit on a German U-boat. In June 1940, a flight of three Ansons was attacked by nine Luftwaffe Messerschmitt Bf 109s. Remarkably, before the dogfight ended, without losing any of their own, one of the Ansons destroyed two German aircraft and damaged a third. The aircraft's true role, however, was to train pilots for flying multi-engined bombers such as the Avro Lancaster. The Anson was also used to train the other members of a bomber's aircrew, such as navigators, wireless operators, bomb aimers and air gunners. Postwar, the Anson continued in the training and light transport roles. The last Ansons were withdrawn from RAF service with communications units on 28 June 1968. The Royal Australian Air Force operated 1,028 Ansons, mainly Mk Is, until 1955
Halifax Click the name above to see prints featuring Halifax aircraft. Manufacturer : Handley Page Production Began : 1941 Retired : 1952 Number Built : 6177	Halifax Royal Air Force heavy Bomber with a crew of six to eight. Maximum speed of 280mph (with MK.VI top speed of 312mph) service ceiling of 22,800feet maximum range of 3,000 miles. The Halifax carried four .303 browning machine guns in the tail turret, two .303 browning machines in the nose turret in the MK III there were four .303 brownings in the dorsal turret. The Handley Page Halifax, first joined the Royal Air Force in March 1941 with 35 squadron. The Halifax saw service in Europe and the Middle east with a variety of variants for use with Coastal Command, in anti Submarine warfare, special duties, glider-tugs, and troop transportation roles. A total of 6177 Halifax's were built and stayed in service with the Royal Air Force until 1952
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)
Whitley Click the name above to see prints featuring Whitley aircraft. Manufacturer : Armstrong Whitworth Production Began : 1937 Retired : 1942 Number Built : 1814	Whitley The Whitley first entered service with No. 10 Squadron in March 1937, replacing Handley Page Heyford biplanes. By the outbreak of the Second World War, seven squadrons were operational, the majority flying Whitley IIIs or IVs, as the Whitley V had only just been introduced. ] With the Handley Page Hampden and the Vickers Wellington, Whitleys bore the brunt of the early fighting and saw action on the first night of the war, when they dropped propaganda leaflets over Germany.[8] Among the many aircrew who flew the Whitley in operations over Germany, was Leonard Cheshire who spent most of his first three years at war flying them. Unlike the Hampden and Wellington—which met specification B.9/32 for a day bomber—the Whitley was always intended for night operations and escaped the early heavy losses received in daylight raids on German shipping, early in the war. With Hampdens, the Whitley made the first bombing raid on German soil on the night of 19/20 March 1940, attacking the Hornum seaplane base on the Island of Sylt. Whitleys also carried out Operation Haddock the first RAF raid on Italy, on the night of 11/12 June 1940. As the oldest of the three bombers, the Whitley was obsolete by the start of the war, yet over 1,000 more were produced before a suitable replacement was found. A particular problem with the twin-engine aircraft, was that it could not maintain altitude on one engine. Whitleys flew 8,996 operations with RAF Bomber Command, dropped 9,845 tons (8,931 tonnes) of bombs and 269 aircraft were lost in action. From April 1942, the Whitley was retired as first-line bomber. It continued to serve as glider tug, paratroop trainer, transport, or radio countermeasures aircraft. It also played an important role in Coastal Command . No. 100 Group RAF used Whitleys to carry airborne radar and electronic counter-measures. In February 1942, Whitleys carried the paratroops who participated in the Bruneval raid (Operation Biting) in which German radar technology was captured from a German base on the coast of France. The British Overseas Airways Corporation operated 15 Whitley Mk Vs converted into freighters in 1942. Running night supply flights from Gibraltar to Malta, they took seven hours to reach the island, often landing during air attacks. They used large quantities of fuel for a small payload and were replaced in August 1942 by the Lockheed Hudson, with the 14 survivors being returned to the Royal Air Force. Long-range Coastal Command Mk VII variants, were among the last in front-line service, with the first kill attributed to them being the sinking of the German submarine U-751, on 17 July 1942, in combination with a Lancaster heavy bomber.
York Click the name above to see prints featuring York aircraft. Manufacturer : Avro	York Full profile not yet available.