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 They were withdrawn from operational service in March 1941, but continued to serve in a training capacity until October 1942.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.

[edit] Specifications (Stranraer)

General characteristics

Crew: 6-7
Length: 54 ft 9 in (16.7 m)
Wingspan: 85 ft 0 in (25.9 m)
Height: 21 ft 9 in (6.6 m)
Wing area: 1,457 ft² (135.4 m²)
Empty weight: 11,250 lb (5,100 kg)
Loaded weight: 19,000 lb (8,620 kg)
Powerplant: 2× Bristol Pegasus X radial engines, 920 hp (685 kW) each

Performance

Maximum speed: 165 mph (265 km/h) at 6,000 ft (1,830 m)
Range: 1,000 mi (1,610 km)
Service ceiling: 18,500 ft (5,640 m)
Rate of climb: 1,350 ft/min (6.8 m/s)
Wing loading: 13 lb/ft² (63.7 kg/m²)
Power/mass: 0.097 hp/lb (159 W/kg)

Armament

3× 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Lewis guns
1,000 lb (454 kg) of bombs or depth charges

[edit] 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.