Short Sunderland Mk III

Short Brothers / Blackburn · United Kingdom · first flew 1941 · transport aircraft

The Short Sunderland Mk III is the numerically dominant production variant, incorporating a revised planing hull with faired-over steps to reduce hydrodynamic drag and improve water handling. It was produced in greater numbers than all other Sunderland marks combined.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	4 × piston, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	26 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Most-produced Sunderland variant with faired hull steps
ASV Mk IIN or Mk III radar, improved planing hull
Revised smooth fairing between main and rear hull steps

Closely resembles Mk I/II externally but the hull step fairing is smoother and less pronounced; the large ASV radar aerial arrays remain a key field mark versus the Mk I.

Specifications

The Short Sunderland Mk III has a length of 26 m (85 ft).
It has a wingspan of 34.36 m (113 ft).
Its maximum speed is 343 km/h (213 mph).
Typical crew: 10.

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

History

Entering service in late 1941, the Mk III addressed handling complaints about the earlier stepped hull by fairing the main step more smoothly, reducing spray and improving take-off performance. 407 were built, equipping the majority of Coastal Command's flying boat squadrons through the mid-war period. The Mk III conducted thousands of Atlantic patrols and sank numerous U-boats.

Variants

The Mk III led directly to the Mk V with American Twin Wasp engines; the post-war Sandringham airliner conversion was based on surplus Mk III airframes.

Where you'll see it

Served widely with RAF, RAAF, RNZAF, RCAF, and SAAF squadrons; the primary Sunderland mark throughout 1942–1944.

Related aircraft

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