Short Stirling

Image Courtesy of Karsten Schulze

The first of Bomber Command's 4 engined heavy bombers. Served from 1938 until 1946.

Specification

(MkI) 4 x 1,590 hp Bristol Hercules XI 14 cylinder, sleeve valve, air cooled radial engines

(MkIII) 4 x 1,650 hp Hercules XVI engines

Dimensions

Wingspan: 99 feet 1 in (30.2m)

Length: 87 feet 3 in (26.5m)

Height: 22 feet 9 in (6.93m)

Unladen Weight: 43,200 lbs (19,591.2kg)

Laden Weight: 70,000 lbs (31,745kg)

Performance

(MkIII) Speed: 260 mph (432.9kmh) at 14,500 feet (4,419.6m

Range: 740 miles (1,190.8km)

Armament

Nose: 2 x .303

Dorsal: 2 x .303

Tail: 4 x .303

Bombload: 14,000 lbs (6349kg)