496 ^ 0 @ c m MAY 18, 1939

STANDARD AIRCRAFT of the R.A.F.

A Concise Pictorial and Factual Review

THE 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

Hardys) ; these, 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.

ANSON reconnaissance and

Ltd.

DUTIES : General training.

DESIGNING F I R M : A. V. Roe and Co., NUMBER OF C R E W : Three. CONSTRUCTION : Wood and metal. P O W E R PLANT: 2 Armstrong Siddelev

Cheetah IX . 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 SPAN: 56ft. 6in. Top SPEED: 188 m.p.h. ARMAMENT : 2 machine guns + bombs.

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

Ltd. NUMBER OK C R E W : Two. CONSTRUCTION : Metal. P O W E R PLANT : Rolls-Royce Merlin II or

II I . 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 SPAN: 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. W I N G S P A N : 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 : Boulton Paul Aircraft. Ltd.

NUMBER OF C R E W : Two.

CONSTRUCTION : Metal.

P O W E R 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, Ltd.

NUMBER OF C R E W : Two.

CONSTRUCTION : Metal.

P O W E R PLANT: Rolls-Royce Kestrel V (de-rated).

TOTAL H . P . : 560.

GROSS W E I G H T : 4,670 lb.

W I N G SPAN : 37ft. sin-

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 OF C R E W : One-two. CONSTRUCTION : Wood. POWER PLANT : Gipsy King I. TOTAL H . P . : 433 at 8.750ft. GROSS 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, Ltd.

NUMBER OF C R E W : One.

CONSTRUCTION: Metal and wood.

P O W E R PLANT: Rolls-Royce Kestrel V.

TOTAL H . P . : 640 at 14,000ft.

GROSS WEIGHT : 3,610 lb.

W I N G SPAN : 30ft.

Top SPEED : 223 m.p.h.

ARMAMEN'T: 2 machine guns.

GAUNTLET II DUTIES : Fighting.

DESIGNING F I R M : Gloster Aircraft Co., Ltd.

NUMBER OF C R E W : One.

CONSTRUCTION : Metal.

POWER PLANT; Bristol Mercury Vis.

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.

DESIGNING F I R M : Gloster Aircraft Co., Ltd.

NUMBER OF C R E W : One.

CONSTRUCTION: Metal.

P O W E R PLANT: Bristol Mercury IX.

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

G R O S S W E I G H T : 4,750 lb.

W I N G SPAN: 32ft. 3in.

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 XVII I . TOTAL H . P . : 1,770 at 15,500ft. G R O S S W E I G H T : 18,756 lb.

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

T O P SPEED : 265 m.p.h. R A N G E : 1,790 miles. ARMAMENT ; 4 machine guns -f- bombs.

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

CONSTRUCTION : Metal. P O W E R PLANT : 2 Bristol Pegasus XX. TOTAL H . P . : 1,850 at 10,000ft. G R O S S W E I G H T : 23,500 lb.

W I N G SPAN: 88ft. sin.

T O P SPEED : 200 m.p.h. R A N G E : 1,150 miles. ARMAMENT: 5 machine guns + bombs.

HARVARD DUTIES : Advanced training. DESIGNING F I R M : North American Aircraft

Inc. NUMBER OF CREW : Two.

CONSTRUCTION : Metal. P O W E R PLANT : Prat t & 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 SPAN: 42ft.

T O P SPEED: 210 m.p.h. R A N G E : 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 W E I G H T : 4.880 lb.

W I N G SPAN: 37ft. 3m.

T O P SPEED: 191 m.p.h. R A N G E : 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 OF C R E W : TWO.

CONSTRUCTION : Metal.

P O W E R PLANT: Rolls-Royce Merlin II or III .

TOTAL H . P . : 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 OF 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 : Several machine guns +

bombs.

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 Kestrel V (derated).

TOTAL H.P . : 560.

GROSS W E I G H T : 4,650 lb.

W I N G SPAN : 37ft. 3m.

Top SPEED: 185 m.p.h. RANGE: 610 miles.

N.B.—The machine illustrated is the Hind bomber.

HUDSON DUTIES : General reconnaissance and bomb­

ing. DESIGNING F I R M : Lockheed Aircraft Cor­

poration. NUMBER OF C R E W : Three-four. CONSTRUCTION : Metal. P O W E R PLANT : 2 Wright Cyclone G. TOTAL H . P . : 1,700 (approx). W I N G SPAN: 65ft. 6in ARMAMENT: Several machine guns +

bombs.

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. GROSS WEIGHT : 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.

T o ™ Rl I

PD

U N T : „ 2 B r i s t o 1 PeS^us X. TOTAL H . P . : 1,830 a t 6,250ft. ^Ross W E I G H T : 18,400 lb. W I N G SPAN: 80ft. Top SPEED: 155 m . p . h . KANGE: 1,000 miles. ARMAMENT: 3 machine guns + bombs.

5oo ^ 0 @ O T MAY 18, 1939

LYSANDER I

D U T I E S ; Army co-operation.

DESIGNING F I R M : Westland Aircraft, Ltd.

NUMBER OF C R E W : Two.

CONSTRUCTION : Metal.

P O W E R PLANT: Bristol Mercury XI I .

TOTAL H . P . : 890 at 6.000ft.

GROSS W E I G H T : 5,9211 lb.

W I N G SPAN: 50ft.

T O P SPEED: 229 m.p.h.

R A N G E : 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.

P O W E R PLANT : Gipsy Major.

TOTAL H . P . : 130 at sea level.

G R O S S W E I G H T : 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 Air­

craft, Ltd. NUMBER OF C R E W : Two.

CONSTRUCTION : Wood. P O W E R PLANT : Rolls-Royce Kestrel XXX. TOTAL H . P . : 600 at 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 Siddeley

Cheetah X. TOTAL H . P . : 710 at 7,000ft. GROSS WEIGHT : 7,500 lb.

W I N G SPAN : 53ft. 4m.

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 Aircraft Co.. Ltd.

NUMBER OF C R E W : None.

CONSTRUCTION: Wood and metal.

P O W E R PLANT: De Havilland Gipsy Major.

TOTAL H . P . : 130

WTNG SPAN: 29ft 4H»

MAY 18, 1939 JTjjOGn? 501.

ROC D U T I E S : Fighting for Navy.

DESIGNING FIRM : Blackburn Aircraft Ltd.

NUMBER OF CREW : Two.

CONSTRUCTION : Metal.

P O W E R PLANT: Bristol Perseus.

TOTAL H P . : 900 (approx.).

W I N G 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 CREW : Two.

CONSTRUCTION: Metal. P O W E R PLANT : Napier Rapier VI. TOTAL H . P . : 395 at 6,000ft. GROSS 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 C R E W : Two-three.

CONSTRUCTION: Metal. P O W E R PLANT: Armstrong Siddeley Tiger

VI.

TOTAL H . P . : 810 at 6,400ft. GROSS W E I G H T : 8,013 lb.

W I N G SPAN: 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 OF CREW : Two.

CONSTRUCTION: Metal

POWER PLANT : Bristol Perseus.

TOTAL H . P . : 900 {approx.).

W I N G SPAN ! 46ft. 21'n • .

ARMAMENT : Several machine guirs and bomb.

SINGAPORE III DUTIES: Bombing and reconnaissance. DESIGNING F I R M ' : Short Bros., Ltd. NUMBER OF 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 : 27.500 lb.

W I N G SPAN: 90ft

T O P SPEED: 145 m.p h.

RANGE : 1,000 miles

ARMAMENT : 4 machine guns + bombs

-502 ^ O d f i f i r MAY 18, 1939

SPITFIRE I

Supermarine Aviation DUTIES : Fighting. DESIGNING F I R M :

Works, Ltd. NUMBER OF C R E W : One.

CONSTRUCTION: Metal. P O W E R PLANT: Rolls-Rovce Merlin II or

III . 1,030 at 16,250ft. 36ft. loin.

362 m.p.h.

TOTAL H.P.

W I N G SPAN

T O P SPEED :

ARMAMENT: 8 machine guns.

STRANRAER D U T I E S : Reconnaissance and bombing. DESIGNING F I R M : Supermarine Aviation

- Works. NUMBER OF CREW : Five.

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

CONSTRUCTION : Metal.

P O W E R PLANT: 4 Bristol Pegasus XXII .

TOTAL H . P . : 3.660 at 6,250ft.

GROSS W E I G H T : 45,700 lb.

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.

' D E S I G N I N G F I R M : Fairey Aviation Co., Ltd.

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 W E I G H T : 7,720 lb.

W I N G SPAN : 45ft. 6in.

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

ARMAMENT ; bombs.

2 machine guns + torjiedo 01

TIGER MOTH DUTIES : Training. DESIGNING F I R M : De Havilland Aircraft

Co., Ltd. NUMBER OF C R E W : Two.

CONSTRUCTION: Wood and metal. P O W E R PLANT : De Havilland Gipsy Major. TOTAL H P . : 130.

GROSS W E I G H T : 1,825 lb-

W I N G SPAN : 29ft. 4in.

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

MAY 18, 1939

VILDEBEEST IV D U T I E S : Torpedo dropping and bombing.

DESIGNING F I R M : Vickers - Armstrongs, Ltd.

NUMBER O F C R E W : Two.

CONST RUCTION : Metal.

POWER PLANT: Bristol Perseus VIIF.

TOTAL H . P . : 810 at 5,250ft.

GROSS W E I G H T : 8,500 lb.

W I N G SPAN: 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. P O W E R PLANT: Bristol Pegasus VI. TOTAL H . P . : 680 at 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 F I R M : Vickers-Armstrongs,

Ltd. NUMBER OF C R E W : TWO. CONSTRUCTION: Metal. P O W E R PLANT : Bristol Pegasus XX. TOTAL H . P . : 925 at 10,000ft. GROSS 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 F I R M : Vickers - Armstrongs,

Ltd. NUMBER O F C R E W : Four. CONSTRUCTION: Metal. P O W E R 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. DESIGNING F I R M : Sir W. G. Armstrong-

Whitworth Aircraft, Ltd. NUMBER OF C R E W : Five. CONSTRUCTION: Metal. POWER PLANT : 2 Armstrong Siddeley

Tiger VIII . TOTAL H . P . : 1,610 at 15,000ft. GROSS W E I G H T : 24,000 lb. W I N G SPAN: 84ft. T O P SPEED: 215 m.p.h. RANGE: 1,315 miles. ARMAMENT : 5 machine guns + bombs.

WHITLEY IV DUTIES: Bombing. DESIGNING F I R M : Sir W. G. Amistrong-

Whitworth Aircraft, Ltd. NUMBER OF C R E W : Five.

CONSTRUCTION: Metal. P O W E R 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 SPAN: 84ft.

T O P SPEED: 245 m.p.h. ARMAMENT: 5 machine guns + bombs.