Saunders-Roe A.36 Lerwick

Saunders-Roe · United Kingdom · first flew 1938 · reconnaissance aircraft

The Saunders-Roe A.36 Lerwick was a British flying boat intended to serve alongside the Short Sunderland with RAF Coastal Command. It was a flawed design and only a small number were built.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, straight
E — Engines	2 × piston, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	19.39 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Compact twin-engined high-wing monoplane flying boat with two stabilising floats on long struts
Two Bristol Hercules radial engines
Single greatly enlarged fin and rudder, replacing the original twin fins

A twin-engined high-wing flying boat with a conventional hull and wing floats on long struts. It has gun turrets in the nose, dorsal position and tail.

Specifications

The Saunders-Roe A.36 Lerwick has a length of 19.39 m (64 ft).
It has a wingspan of 24.64 m (81 ft).
Its maximum speed is 344 km/h (214 mph).
Typical crew: 6-9.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

It was built to Air Ministry Specification R.1/36 for a medium-range flying boat for anti-submarine, convoy escort and reconnaissance duties. Saro redesigned its S.36 with a deeper hull and a high wing, and 21 were ordered in June 1937. It first flew in November 1938.

Variants

Early aircraft had twin fins and rudders. A greatly enlarged single fin and a greater wing angle of incidence were added, but did not cure its poor handling.

Where you'll see it

The Lerwick entered service with 209 Squadron at Oban in 1940, replacing Supermarine Stranraers. Of 21 built, 10 were lost to accidents and one for an unknown reason.

Related aircraft

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