British Short Stirling S29 Heavy Bomber

By Crusader1307

The Short Stirling S29 Heavy Bomber, was Britain's first Heavy four engine bomber deployed by The Royal Air Force. Designed in 1938, it's first flight a year later – would lead to 2,500 production versions built for World War II Service. The Short Stirling was also valuable as a Glider Transport and was used extensively during The Normandy Campaign of 1944. Crewed by (8), The Short Stirling was 88-feet long with a wingspan of 100-feet. (4) Bristol Hercules II Engines provided 850-HP each, giving it an airspeed of over 300-mph with an operational ceiling of 17.000-feet. Defensive Armament included (8) .303 Caliber Machine Guns deployed throughout the Bombers airframe with (2) in the Front of the aircraft, (2) ''Waist'' Guns (mid-body) and (2) Tail Guns. The Short Stirling had the ability to deploy up to 14,000-pounds of varied munitions. The Short Stirling would remain in British inventory until a year after the end of World War II, with most being sold to Egypt. The Egyptian Air Force would retain them until 1951. There are currently no known surviving examples.