Short Sunderland Mk I
Short Brothers / Blackburn · United Kingdom · first flew 1937 · transport aircraft
The Short Sunderland Mk I is the initial production variant of the RAF's primary maritime patrol flying boat of World War II, derived from the Empire class airliner and powered by Bristol Pegasus XXII engines. It entered service in 1938 and earned the German nickname 'Flying Porcupine' for its defensive armament.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 4 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 26 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Large four-engine flying boat with deep hull
- Bristol Pegasus XXII radials in long nacelles
- Prominent bow turret and mid-upper gun positions
The Sunderland's deep two-step planing hull, parasol high wing with four radials, bow turret, and large fin with a dorsal step are distinctive; the Mk I lacks the ASV radar aerials of later marks.
Specifications
- The Short Sunderland Mk I has a length of 26 m (85 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 34.36 m (113 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 336 km/h (209 mph).
- Typical crew: 10.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Short Brothers flew the Sunderland prototype in October 1937, and Mk I deliveries to RAF Coastal Command began in June 1938. The type was immediately tasked with convoy escort and anti-submarine patrols in the Atlantic. Blackburn Aircraft produced additional airframes to meet wartime demand.
Variants
The Mk I with Pegasus XXII engines was followed by the Mk II with Pegasus XVIII and ASV radar, then the longer-range Mk III with flush hull steps, and the Mk V with Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasps.
Where you'll see it
Served with RAF Coastal Command from 1938, and also with Royal Australian, New Zealand, South African, and Canadian air forces throughout the war and into the 1950s.
Related aircraft
- Short Sunderland Mk II
- Short Sunderland Mk III
- Barkley-Grow T8P-1
- Beechcraft 18
- Beechcraft JRB-4 Voyager
- Blohm & Voss BV 138
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