| Plane type & model |
Heavy bomber (Stirling Mk.III) |
In 1936 RAF emitted a specify about a new heavy bomber with 7-8 crew. Short answered with the sperimental S 31 plane, that was pratically a model in 1:2 scale of S 29, and that flew on 19 September 1938. The prototype of S 29 flew 8 months later with Bristol Hercules II engines (1394 Cv). The consigning of the series planes Stirling Mk.I began in August 1940 but these plane had already the powerful Bristol Herculex XI engines. For almost 3 years the plane, improved with the Mk.III version, remained the main RAF bombing plane, but with the arrival of new Lancasters and Halifax , at the beginning of 1944 it was assigned to softer transport duties. The Stirling Mk.IV, without two turrets and modified with the necessary equipment had a principal role in the aerotransport duties of the Overlord and Market Garden allied operations, in where they took glirders on targets. The model Mk.V, was dedicated to transport roles. The last Stirling were retired from service in 1946. |
