Short Stirling Bomber

The Stirling was the first four engine RAF heavy bomber of World War II.  It is also the only Air Ministry specification that specifically requested a four engine bomber design, as both the Halifax and Lancaster were originally designed as two engine aircraft.

The original specification was issued in 1936 and the first production prototype flew in May 1939.  The Stirling was powered by four Bristol radial engines and was developed from the Short Sunderland flying boat.  The Air Ministry specification of 1936 placed certain restrictions on the design such as limiting the wingspan to 100ft in order for the aircraft to fit existing airfield hangars.  The aircraft would also need to achieve short take off and landings on bases that were not specifically designed for this size and weight of aircraft.

To accommodate these needs the standard Sunderland wings of 114ft span were redesigned to a thickened section and modified shape, resulting in a wingspan of 99ft.  In order to improve the take off performance the undercarriage was lengthened to give a larger angle of attack on the wing, and this contributed to many take off and landing accidents.

Considering the out of proportion appearance as a result of shortened wingspan the Stirling was a pleasant aircraft to fly and quite aerobatic considering the size of the aircraft.  Crews reported that they could out-turn Ju 88’s and Bf 110 German night fighters.  However, due to the thick wing section high altitude performance was poor, and as a consequence the Stirlings tended to operate at lower altitudes of 12,000ft to 15,000ft.  When operating with other RAF bombers that could cruise at higher altitudes this proved a distinct disadvantage as the Luftwaffe night fighters then concentrated on the Stirlings flying at the lower flight levels.

Stirlings began operations in January 1941, but within months of commencing operations 67 of the original 84 aircraft had been lost to enemy action or flying accidents.  By 1943 Stirlings were being withdrawn from frontline operations and increasingly used on 100 Group special clandestine operations.  A modified version was also deployed for towing gliders and deploying paratroops.  Stirlings acting in this capacity took part in the D-Day landings and Operation Market Garden; the ill-fated airborne operation against the bridges at Arnhem and Nijmegen.  

 Time for a Digression

RAF Tempsford in Bedfordshire was home to special duties squadrons and probably the most secretive of all the RAF airfields in World War II.  No 138 and No 161 squadron operated from this base and were used entirely in support of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) activities in occupied Europe (SOE was the forerunner of MI6).

 Aircraft from No 138 Sqd’ that included the Stirling, Whitley and Halifax dropped agents and supplies to various resistance groups in France, Belgium and Holland.  Westland Lysanders of No 161 Sqd’ specialised in landing at night within occupied countries to deliver and pick up SOE agents.

 Many of these agents were killed following capture and torture, and a memorial to these brave men and women can be found in St Peter’s Church in the nearby village of Tempsford.

 Survivors

 Of the 2,383 built there are no survivors or partial sections of the Short Stirling.  A group of enthusiasts gained charity status for the recovery of various Stirling components from known crash sites and are known as the Stirling Project.  I have no up to date info’ on the current status of recovery work.