Short Sunderland
The Short S.25 Sunderland was a British flying boat patrol bomber, developed and constructed by Short Brothers for the Royal Air Force (RAF). The aircraft took its service name from the town (latterly, city) and port of Sunderland in North East England.
Developed in parallel with the civilian S.23 Empire flying boat, the flagship of Imperial Airways, the Sunderland was developed specifically to conform to the requirements of British Air Ministry Specification R.2/33 for a long-range patrol/reconnaissance flying boat to serve with the Royal Air Force (RAF). As designed, it served as a successor to the earlier Short Sarafand flying boat. Sharing several similarities with the S.23, it featured a more advanced aerodynamic hull and was outfitted with various offensive and defensive armaments, including machine gun turrets, bombs, aerial mines, and depth charges. The Sunderland was powered by four Bristol Pegasus XVIII radial engines and was outfitted with various detection equipment to aid combat operations, including the Leigh searchlight, the ASV Mark II and ASV Mark III radar units, and an astrodome.
The Sunderland was one of the most powerful and widely used flying boats throughout the Second World War. In addition to the RAF, the type was operated by other Allied military air wings, including the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), South African Air Force (SAAF), Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), French Navy, Norwegian Air Force, and the Portuguese Navy. During the conflict, the type was heavily involved in Allied efforts to counter the threat posed by German U-boats in the Battle of the Atlantic. Wikipedia
YouTube Short Sunderland (1940-1949)
CASPIR Aircraft Groups:
RCAF 400 Squadron (1), Canadian Aircraft Losses (45)Sunderland Mk. III W6028
Operated by No. 422 (GR) Squadron, RCAF from 1 November 1942, coded "C". Ferried to Wig Bay for refitting on 11 November 1942. Flying operationally by 1 March 1943. Detached to Pembroke Docks in July 1943. While on patrol from there on 28 July, sighted wreckage at 58-21N 12-57W. While searching for survivors sighted 2 u-boats, which were attacked by other aircraft before this aircraft was inposition. Loaned to BOAC, dates unclear. Back to No. 422 Sdn. on 4 January 1944. Crashed near St. Angelo, Fermanagh on 19 February 1944 during fighter affliation training, 2 fatalities.