496

^0@cm

MAY

18, 1939

STANDARD AIRCRAFT of the R.A.F.

T
HE machines illustrated in the following pages are, with one or two exceptions, used in large numbers by squadrons of the Royal Air Force. In addition to these there are several obsolescent types notably versions of the outstandingly successful Hawker two-seater biplane (e.g., Harts, Ospreys, Audaxes and
ANSON
DUTIES : General training. reconnaissance and Ltd.
D E S I G N I N G F I R M : A. V. Roe and Co., NUMBER OF C R E W : Three.

Concise Pictorial and Factual Hardys) ; these,

Review however, are not included as they are basically similar in design to the Hind, The performances quoted are, in the main, based on manufacturers' data. Figures for range are typical and will, of course, vary according to the military load. In certain cases, for obvious reasons, gaps occur.

CONSTRUCTION : Wood and metal. P O W E R PLANT: 2 Armstrong Siddelev Cheetah I X . TOTAL H . P . : 700 h . p . at 7,300ft.
G R O S S W E I G H T : 7,665 lb. W I N G S P A N : 56ft. 6in.

Top SPEED: 188 m.p.h. ARMAMENT : 2 machine guns + bombs.

BATTLE II
DUTIES : Bombing. DESIGNING F I R M : Ltd. Fairey Aviation Co.,

NUMBER OK C R E W : Two.

CONSTRUCTION : Metal. P O W E R PLANT : Rolls-Royce Merlin I I or III. TOTAL H . P . : 1,030 h . p . at 16,250ft.

G R O S S W E I G H T : 10,7921b. W I N G S P A N : 54ft.

Top SPEED : 257 m.p.h. RANGE: 1,000 miles. ARMAMENT: 2 machine gnns + bombs

BLENHEIM {Long-nosed)
DUTIES: Bombing and reconnaissance. DESIGNING F I R M : Bristol Aeroplane Co., Ltd.
NUMBER OF C R E W : Three.

CONSTRUCTION : Metal. POWER PLANT : 2 Mercury VIII. TOTAL H . P . : 1,680 at 14,000ft.

WING SPAN: 56ft. 4in.

T O P SPEED : 295 m.p.h. RANGE: 1,900 miles. ARMAMENT: 2 machine guns + bombs.

BLENHEIM {Standard)
D U T I E S : Bombing. DESIGNING FIRM : Bristol Aeroplane Co., Ltd.
NUMBER OF C R E W : Three.

CONSTRUCTION : Metal. POWER PLANT: 2 Mercury VIII. TOTAL H . P . : 1,680 at 14,000ft.

G R O S S W E I G H T : 12,500 lb. W I N G SPAN : 56ft. 4in.

T O P SPEED: 285 m.p.h. R * N G E : 1,125 miles. ARMAMENT: 2 machine guns + bombs.

BOMBAY
D U T I E S : Transport and bombing. DESIGNING F I R M : Bristol Aeroplane Co., Ltd.
NUMBER OF C R E W : Three-four.

CONSTRUCTION : Metal. P O W E R PLANT: 2 Bristol Pegasus. TOTAL H . P . : 1.800 (approx.).

W I N G SPAN: 96ft.

MAY

18, 1939

DEFIANT I
DUTIES : Fighting. DESIGNING F I R M : Ltd. Boulton Paul Aircraft.

NUMBER O F C R E W : Two.

CONSTRUCTION : Metal. POWER PLANT: Rolls-Royce Merlin. TOTAL H . P . : Over 1,000.

W I N G SPAN ; 39ft. 6in.

ARMAMENT:

Several machine guns.

DEMON

(Turret)

DUTIES : Fighting. DESIGNING F I R M : Hawker Aircraft, L t d .

NUMBER O F C R E W : Two.

CONSTRUCTION : Metal. P O W E R PLANT: Rolls-Royce (de-rated).

TOTAL H . P . : 560. G R O S S W E I G H T : 4,670 lb. WING SPAN : 37ft. sin-

Kestrel

Top SPEED : 186 m.p.h. RANGE : 415 miles. 'ARMAMENT : 3 machine guns + bombs.

DON
DUTIES : Communications and training. DESIGNING F I R M : De Havilland Aircraft Co., Ltd.
NUMBER O F C R E W : One-two.

CONSTRUCTION : Wood. POWER PLANT : Gipsy King I . TOTAL H . P . : 433 at 8.750ft.

G R O S S W E I G H T : 6,530 lb. W I N G SPAN : 47ft. 6in.

T O P SPEED : 213 m.p.h. RANGE: 890 miles.

FURY II
DUTIES : Fighting. DESIGNING F I R M : Hawker Aircraft, L t d .
NUMBER O F C R E W : One.

CONSTRUCTION: Metal and wood. POWER PLANT: Rolls-Royce Kestrel V. TOTAL H . P . : 640 at 14,000ft.
GROSS W E I G H T : 3,610 lb. W I N G SPAN : 30ft.

Top SPEED : 223 m.p.h. ARMAMEN'T: 2 machine guns.

GAUNTLET II
DUTIES : Fighting. FIRM : Gloster Aircraft Co., DESIGNING Ltd.

NUMBER O F C R E W : One.

CONSTRUCTION : Metal. POWER PLANT; Bristol Mercury V i s . TOTAL H . P . : 645 at 15,500ft.

GROSS W E I G H T : 4,050 lb.

W I N G SPAN: 32ft. ioin. Top SPEED: 230 m.p.h. RANGE : 460 miles. ARMAMENT: 2 machine guns + bombs.

498

Q^KH?

MAY

18, 1939

GLADIATOR
DUTIES : Fighting. FIRM : Gloster
One.

DESIGNING Ltd.

Aircraft Co.,

NUMBER O F C R E W :

CONSTRUCTION: P O W E R PLANT:

Metal. Bristol Mercury I X .

TOTAL H . P . : 840 at 14,500ft.

GROSS WEIGHT: WING SPAN: 4,750 lb. 3in.

32ft.

T O P SPEED : 250 m.p.h. RANGE : 420 miles. ARMAMENT : 4 machine guns + bombs. N.B.Sea Gladiator {illustrated) is similar.

HAMPDEN I
DUTIES : Bombing. DESIGNING F I R M : Handley Page, Ltd.
NUMBER OF C R E W : Three-four.

CONSTRUCTION : Metal. P O W E R PLANT: 2 Bristol Pegasus X V I I I . TOTAL H . P . : 1,770 at 15,500ft.

GROSS WEIGHT: W I N G SPAN: 18,756 lb. 69ft. 4in.

T O P SPEED : 265 m.p.h. RANGE: 1,790 miles. ARMAMENT ; 4 machine guns -f- bombs.

HARROW II
DUTIES : Bombing. DESIGNING F I R M : Handley Page, L t d .
NUMBER o r C R E W : Four-five.

CONSTRUCTION : Metal. P O W E R PLANT : 2 Bristol Pegasus X X . TOTAL H . P . : 1,850 at 10,000ft.

G R O S S W E I G H T : 23,500 lb. WING SPAN: 88ft. sin.

T O P SPEED : 200 m.p.h. RANGE: 1,150 miles. ARMAMENT: 5 machine guns + bombs.

HARVARD
DUTIES : Advanced training. DESIGNING F I R M : North American Aircraft Inc.
NUMBER O F C R E W : T w o .

CONSTRUCTION : Metal. P O W E R PLANT : Pratt & Whitney Wasp H . TOTAL H . P . : 550 at 5,000ft.
G R O S S W E I G H T : 5.130 lb. W I N G S P A N : 42ft.

T O P SPEED: 210 m.p.h. RANGE: 750 miles. ARMAMENT : 1-2 machine guns.

HECTOR
DUTIES : Army co-operation. DESIGNING F I R M : Hawker Aircraft, Lid.
NUMBER OF C R E W : Two.

CONSTRUCTION: Metal. P O W E R PLANT: Napier Dagger I I I . TOTAL H . P . : 805 at 5,000ft.

GROSS WEIGHT: W I N G SPAN: 4.880 lb. 37ft. 3m.

T O P SPEED: 191 m.p.h. RANGE: 400 miles (approx.). ARMAMENT: 2 machine guns + bombs.

MAY

18, 1939

Jf0^

499

HENLEY
D U T I E S : Target towing. DESIGNING F I R M : Hawker Aircraft, Ltd.
NUMBER O F C R E W : T W O .

CONSTRUCTION : Metal. POWER PLANT: III. TOTAL H . P . : Rolls-Royce Merlin II or

1,030 at 16,250ft.

W I N G SPAN: 47ft. loin. T O P SPEED : 272 m.p.h.

HEREFORD
DUTIES : Bombing. DESIGNING F I R M : Handley Page, Ltd.
NUMBER O F C R E W : Three-four.

CONSTRUCTION : Metal. POWER PLANT: 2 Napier Dagger. TOTAL H . P . : 2,000 (approx.).

W I N G SPAN: 69ft. 4in.

ARMAMENT : bombs.

Several

machine

guns

HIND TRAINER
DUTIES : Training. DESIGNING F I R M : Hawker Aircraft, Ltd.
NUMBER OF C R E W : Two.

CONSTRUCTION: Metal. POWER PLANT: Rolls-Royce (derated).

TOTAL H . P . : 560. GROSS W E I G H T : 4,650 lb. W I N G SPAN : 37ft. 3m.

Kestrel

Top SPEED: 185 m.p.h. RANGE: 610 miles. N.B.The machine illustrated Hind bomber.

is the

HUDSON
DUTIES : General reconnaissance and bombing. DESIGNING F I R M : Lockheed Aircraft Corporation.
NUMBER OF C R E W : Three-four.

CONSTRUCTION : Metal. POWER PLANT : 2 Wright Cyclone G. TOTAL H . P . : 1,700 (approx).

WING SPAN: 65ft. 6in

ARMAMENT: bombs.

Several

machine

guns

HURRICANE I
DUTIES: Fighting DESIGNING F I R M : Hawker Aircraft, Ltd.
NUMBER OF C R E W : One.

CONSTRUCTION : Metal. POWER PLANT: Rolls-Royce Merlin II or III. TOTAL H . P . : 1,030 at 16,250ft.
G R O S S W E I G H T : 6,000 lb. W I N G SPAN : 40ft.

TOP SPEED : 335 m.p.h. RANGE; 600 miles. ARMAMENT: 8 machine guns.

LONDON II
DUTIES: Reconnaissance and bombing
DESIGNING F I R M : Saunders Roe, Ltd NUMBER OF C R E W : Five-six

CONSTRUCTION: Metal. P U N T : 2 B r i s t o 1 Pe T o R lH S^us I D TOTAL . P . : 1,830 a t 6,250ft. ^Ross W E I G H T : 18,400 lb.

WING SPAN: 80ft.

X.

Top SPEED: 155 m . p . h . KANGE: 1,000 miles. ARMAMENT: 3 machine guns + bombs.

5oo

^0@OT

MAY 18, 1939

LYSANDER I
D U T I E S ; Army co-operation. DESIGNING F I R M : Westland Aircraft, Ltd.
NUMBER O F C R E W : T w o .

CONSTRUCTION : Metal. P O W E R PLANT: Bristol Mercury X I I . TOTAL H . P . : 890 at 6.000ft.

G R O S S W E I G H T : 5,9211 lb. W I N G SPAN: 50ft.

T O P SPEED: 229 m.p.h. RANGE: 600 miles. ARMAMENT : 3 machine guns + bombs. N.B. Lysander II (Perseus XII) has a slightly better performance.

MAGISTER
DUTIES : Training. DESIGNING F I R M : Phillip? and Powis Aircraft, Ltd.
NUMBER OF C R E W : Two.

CONSTRUCTION: Wood. POWER PLANT : Gipsy Major. TOTAL H . P . : 130 at sea level.
GROSS WEIGHT: 1,825 lb.

W I N G SPAN : 33ft

ioin.

Top SPEED: 145 m.p.h. RANGE: 400 miles.

MASTER
D U T I E S : Advanced training. DESIGNING F I R M : Phillips and Powis Aircraft, L t d .
NUMBER OF C R E W : Two.

CONSTRUCTION : Wood. POWER PLANT : Rolls-Royce Kestrel X X X . TOTAL H . P . : 600 a t 14,250ft.

W I N G SPAN: 39ft.

T O P SPEED : 268 m.p.h. RANGE: 440 miles. ARMAMENT: 1-2 machine guns + bomb*.

OXFORD
DUTIES : Training DESIGNING F I R M : Airspeed (1934), Ltd.
NUMBER OF C R E W : Three.

CONSTRUCTION: Wood. POWER PLANT : 2 Armstrong Cheetah X . TOTAL H . P . : 710 at 7,000ft.

G R O S S W E I G H T : 7,500 lb. W I N G SPAN : 53ft. 4m.

Siddeley

T O P SPEED : 197 m.p.h. RANGE: 860 miles. ARMAMENT: I machine gun +

bombs.

QUEEN BEE
DUTIES: Wireless-controlled target. DESIGNING F I R M : De Havilland Co.. Ltd.
NUMBER OF C R E W : None.

Aircraft

CONSTRUCTION: Wood and metal. POWER PLANT: De Havilland Gipsy Major.

TOTAL H . P . : WTNG S P A N : 130 29ft 4H

MAY

18, 1939

JTjjOGn?

501.

ROC
D U T I E S : Fighting for Navy. DESIGNING Ltd. FIRM : Blackburn Aircraft

NUMBER O F C R E W : Two.

CONSTRUCTION : Metal. POWER PLANT: Bristol Perseus. TOTAL H P . : 900 (approx.).

WING SPAN: 46ft.

ARMAMENT : Several machine guns.

SEA FOX
D U T I E S : Reconnaissance for Navy. DESIGNING F I R M : Fairey Aviation Co. Ltd.
NUMBER OF C R E W : Two.

CONSTRUCTION: Metal. P O W E R PLANT : Napier Rapier V I . TOTAL H . P . : 395 at 6,000ft.

G R O S S W E I G H T : 5,420 lb. W I N G SPAN: 40ft.

T O P SPEED : 124 m.p.h. RANGE : 44c miles. ARMAMENT: I machine gun.

SHARK II
DUTIES : Torpedo-dropping, reconnaissance. bombing and spotting. DESIGNING F I R M : Blackburn Aircraft, Ltd.
NUMBER OF CREW : Two-three.

CONSTRUCTION: Metal. P O W E R PLANT: Armstrong Siddeley Tiger VI. TOTAL H . P . : 810 at 6,400ft.
GROSS WEIGHT: WING SPAN: 8,013 lb. 46ft.

T O P SPEED: 152 m.p.h. RANGE : 575 miles. ARMAMENT : 2 machine guns + torpedo or bomb.

SKUA II
DUTIES : Dive bombing and fighting for the Navy. DESIGNING F I R M : Blackburn Aircraft, Ltd.
NUMBER O F C R E W : Two.

CONSTRUCTION: Metal POWER PLANT : Bristol Perseus. TOTAL H . P . : 900 {approx.).

WING SPAN ! 46ft. 21'n .

ARMAMENT : bomb.

Several

machine

guirs and

SINGAPORE III
DUTIES: Bombing and reconnaissance. DESIGNING F I R M ' : Short Bros., Ltd.
NUMBER O F C R E W : Five.

CONSTRUCTION : Metal. POWER PLANT: 2 Rolls-Royce Kestrel IX and 2 Kestrel VIII. TOTAL H . P . : 2,920 at 5.2.50ft.
GROSS W E I G H T : W I N G SPAN: TOP SPEED: 90ft 145 m . p h. 27.500 lb.

RANGE :

1,000 miles

ARMAMENT : 4 machine guns + bombs

-502

^Odfifir
SPITFIRE I

MAY

18, 1939

DUTIES : Fighting.
DESIGNING FIRM :

Supermarine
One.

Aviation

Works, Ltd.
NUMBER OF C R E W :

CONSTRUCTION: Metal. P O W E R PLANT: Rolls-Rovce Merlin II or III. TOTAL H . P . 1,030 at 16,250ft. W I N G SPAN 36ft. loin. T O P SPEED : 362 m.p.h. ARMAMENT: 8 machine guns.

STRANRAER
D U T I E S : Reconnaissance and bombing. DESIGNING F I R M : Supermarine Aviation - Works.
NUMBER O F C R E W : Five.

CONSTRUCTION: Metal. P O W E R PLANT : 2 Bristol Pegasus X TOTAL H . P . : 1,830 at 6,250ft.

G R O S S W E I G H T : 19.000 lb. W I N G SPAN : 851'-

T O P SPEED: 165 m.p.h. RANGE: 1,000 miles. ARMAMENT: 3 machine guns + bombs.

SUNDERLAND I
DUTIES : Reconnaissance and bombing. DESIGNING F I R M : Short Bros., Ltd.
NUMBER OF CREW : Six-eight.

CONSTRUCTION : Metal. P O W E R PLANT: 4 Bristol Pegasus TOTAL H . P . : 3.660 at 6,250ft.

G R O S S W E I G H T : 45,700 lb.

XXII.

W I N G SPAN : 112ft. 9iin. T O P SPEED : 210 m.p.h. RANGE : 1,670 miles. ARMAMENT : 7 machine guns + bombs.

SWORDFISH
DUTIES : Torpedo dropping, bombing and reconnaissance for the Navy. 'DESIGNING Ltd. FIRM: Fairey Aviation Co.,

NUMBER OF C R E W : Two-three.

CONSTRUCTION : Metal. P O W E R PLANT: Bristol Pegasus I I I . TOTAL H . P . : 750 at 4,750ft.

GROSS WEIGHT: 7,720 lb. W I N G SPAN : 45ft. 6in.

T O P SPEED : 154 m.p.h.

ARMAMENT ;

2 machine guns + torjiedo 01

bombs.

TIGER MOTH
DUTIES : Training. DESIGNING F I R M : De Havilland Co., Ltd.
NUMBER O F C R E W : Two.

Aircraft

CONSTRUCTION: Wood and metal. POWER PLANT : De Havilland Gipsy Major.

TOTAL H P . : W I N G SPAN : 130. 1,825 lb29ft. 4in. GROSS WEIGHT:

Top SPEED: 109 m.p.h. R A N G E : 458 miles.

MAY

18, 1939

VILDEBEEST IV
DUTIES: Torpedo dropping and bombing. FIRM : Vickers - Armstrongs,
Two.

DESIGNING Ltd.

NUMBER O F C R E W :

CONST RUCTION : Metal.

POWER PLANT: Bristol Perseus VIIF. TOTAL H . P . : 810 at 5,250ft.

GROSS W E I G H T : WING SPAN: 8,500 lb. 49ft.

T O P SPEED : 156 m.p.h. R A N C E : 600 miles. ARMAMENT: 2 machine guns + torpedo or bombs.

WALRUS II
D U T I E S : Reconnaissance and spotting for the Navy. DESIGNING F I R M : Supermarine Aviation Works.
NUMHER OF C R E W : Three.

CONSTRUCTION : Metal. POWER PLANT: Bristol Pegasus VI. TOTAL H . P . : 680 a t 3.500ft.
GROSS W E I G H T : 7.200 ib.

W I N G SPAN: 45ft. join. T O P SPEED : 135 m.p.h. RANGE: 600 miles. ARMAMENT : 2 machine guns + bombs.

WELLESLEY
DUTIES ; Bombing.
DESIGNING FIRM : Vickers-Armstrongs,

Ltd.
NUMBER O F C R E W : T W O .

CONSTRUCTION: Metal. POWER PLANT : Bristol Pegasus X X . TOTAL H . P . : 925 at 10,000ft.

G R O S S W E I G H T : 11,100 lb. W I N G SPAN : 74ft. 7in.

T O P SPEED: 220 m.p.h. (approx.). RANGE: 1.880 miles. ARMAMENT: 2 machine guns + bombs.

WELLINGTON I
DUTIES : Bombing. DESIGNING FIRM : Ltd.
NUMBER O F C R E W :

Vickers - Armstrongs,
Four.

CONSTRUCTION: Metal. POWER PLANT: 2 Bristol Pegasus. TOTAL H . P . : 1.800 (approx.).

W I N G SPAN : 86ft iin.

ARMAMENT : Several machine guns + bombs. N.B.Also being built with Merlin and Hercules engines.

WHITLEY III
DUTIES : Bombing.
FIRM : Sir W. G. ArmstrongDESIGNING

Whitworth Aircraft, Ltd.

NUMBER O F C R E W : Five.

CONSTRUCTION: Metal. POWER PLANT : 2 Armstrong Tiger VIII. TOTAL H . P . : 1,610 at 15,000ft.
G R O S S W E I G H T : 24,000 l b . W I N G S P A N : 84ft.

Siddeley

T O P SPEED: 215 m.p.h. RANGE: 1,315 miles. ARMAMENT : 5 machine guns + bombs.

WHITLEY IV
DUTIES: Bombing.
DESIGNING FIRM : Sir W. G. Amistrong-

Whitworth Aircraft, L t d .
NUMBER O F C R E W : Five.

CONSTRUCTION: Metal. POWER PLANT: 2 Rolls-Royce Merlin IV. TOTAL H . P . : 2,060 at 16.2.50ft.
GROSS W E I G H T : 25,000 lb. W I N G S P A N : 84ft.

TOP SPEED: 245 m.p.h. ARMAMENT: 5 machine guns + bombs.