Supermarine Stranraer
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The Supermarine Stranraer marked the end of biplane flying-boat development for the Royal Air Force. Built to Air Ministry specification R.24/31, they entered service on April 16, 1937. Many were still in service at the outbreak of the Second World War and flew anti-submarine and convoy escort patrols. They were withdrawn from operational service in March 1941, but continued to serve in a training capacity until October 1942.
The structure was mainly duralumin, with the hull covered with sheet metal and the wings with fabric. 17 Stranraers were built in Britain and 40 in Canada, serving with the RCAF until 1945. Some units passed into civilian use after the war; notably several Stranraers saw service with the Queen Charlotte Airlines in British Columbia, Canada.
Specifications (combat variant)
General characteristics
- Crew: 6-7
- Capacity:
- Length: 16.7 m (54 ft)
- Wingspan: 85.9 m (25 ft)
- Height: 6.6 m (21 ft 9 in)
- Wing area: 135.4 m² (1,457 ft²)
- Empty: 5,100 kg (11,250 lb)
- Loaded: 8,620 kg (19,000 lb)
- Maximum takeoff: kg ( lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Bristol Pegasus, 875 kW (650 hp) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 265 km/h @ 1,830 m (165 mi/h @ 6000 ft)
- Combat Range: 1,609 km (1000 statute miles)
- Service ceiling: 5,640 m (18,500 ft)
- Rate of climb: 410 m/min (1,350 ft/min)
- Wing loading: 63.7 kg/m² (13 lb/ft²)
- Power/mass: 0.151 kW/kg
Armament
- 3 × 0.303 in (~7.7 mm) Lewis guns
- 1,000 lb (454 kg) of bombs or depth charges
Trivia
The Stranraer was sometimes referred to as a "whistling shithouse". It drew this name because the toilet opened out directly to the air, and when the seat was lifted, the airflow caused the toilet to whistle.
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