Short Stirling I -the first of the RAFs heavy bombers
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Short Stirling I -the first of the RAFs heavy bombers
Short Stirling I -the first of the RAFs heavy bombers Designed to fit into existing hangars at the expense of performance
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Media ID 14223652
© Hugh W. Cowin Aviation Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library
Bombers Existing Expense Hangars Heavy Performance Rafs Stirling Designed Short
EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph showcases the historic Short Stirling I, the first heavy bomber to join the ranks of the Royal Air Force (RAF) during World War II. Designed and manufactured by Short Brothers in Belfast, Northern Ireland, this aircraft marked a significant milestone in the evolution of British bomber technology. The Short Stirling I was specifically engineered to fit into the RAF's existing hangars, which placed a limitation on its overall size and performance. Despite this constraint, the designers managed to create a formidable aircraft with a wingspan of 102 feet and a length of 77 feet. It was powered by four Bristol Hercules engines, each delivering an impressive 1,550 horsepower, enabling the Stirling to reach a top speed of 233 miles per hour. The Short Stirling I made its maiden flight on March 4, 1939, and was officially handed over to the RAF on July 1, 1941. Initially, it was deployed in the strategic bombing campaign against Germany, but its operational life was short-lived. The aircraft's vulnerability to enemy fire, particularly in its fuel tanks, led to its withdrawal from frontline service in favor of more advanced bombers like the Avro Lancaster and the Handley Page Halifax. This photograph captures a moment in time when the Short Stirling I represented the pinnacle of British bomber technology, despite its compromises. Its historical significance lies in its role as the first heavy bomber to serve the RAF during World War II, paving the way for more advanced and effective bombers that would change the course of the war.
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