A cup of tea and a pipe, or flying the Short Sunderland
Thu Jan 15, 2009 7:40 am
After recently completing a Database for Aeroplane magazine with Allan King, I thought I'd share a few Sunderland shots here.
A lovely colour shot I found on the web of a Sunderland with a Fairey Swordfish in the background, on floats. Sunderlands are big. This one looks like it's had the ailerons refabriced; most maintenance was carried out 'on the trots' in harbour, coming 'ashore' was rare.
Its job was to sink these, which it did well, or keep them down, which it also did.
It was heavily armed, in British pre-war terms. These are the offensive weapons - the early war RAF anti-sub bombs were useless (an Avro Anson accidentally bombed a British sub; the sub had one broken lightbulb, the Anson brought itself down by the splash, and were rescued by their 'target' - that would've been an interesting 'chat' between the RN captain and the RAF captain...)
The big one is a naval depth charge with additions to 'streamline' it!
The rear turret impressed the British press who came up with a lot of stories the Germans called it a 'Flying Porcupine'. This is almost certainly another propaganda myth; the Germans had cannon, and weren't going to be particularly impressed by four .303in machine guns.
Inside:
The turret worked well, and was effective, but more to do with the guts of the gunners, than the pop-guns.
And on top;
Two crew show the pan-fed Vickers K or VGO guns. 96 rounds of .303 pellets. Note in this propaganda shot the ammo pans aren't fitted. Clearly you could also shoot your mate.
What the gentleman pilot did. This is Dickie Cohen, RAAF. He's still going, and has a fund of great stories.
And it had a lot of the comforts of home. Time for tea! From the material on the wall, you can tell this is an Aussie machine (Can you see the roo and the koala?).
All bar the colour shot are of 10 or 461 Sqn RAAF Sunderlands, based in the UK, keeping the Atlantic open. They were passed to me from several different sources, including my friend Ian Le Sueur.
If this is of interest I can post more - (The Database feature is here, btw: http://www.aeroplanemonthly.com/ ). Fire off any questions too, and I'll do my best to answer them.
There are countless amazing Sunderland stories too.
Cheers,
A lovely colour shot I found on the web of a Sunderland with a Fairey Swordfish in the background, on floats. Sunderlands are big. This one looks like it's had the ailerons refabriced; most maintenance was carried out 'on the trots' in harbour, coming 'ashore' was rare.
Its job was to sink these, which it did well, or keep them down, which it also did.
It was heavily armed, in British pre-war terms. These are the offensive weapons - the early war RAF anti-sub bombs were useless (an Avro Anson accidentally bombed a British sub; the sub had one broken lightbulb, the Anson brought itself down by the splash, and were rescued by their 'target' - that would've been an interesting 'chat' between the RN captain and the RAF captain...)
The big one is a naval depth charge with additions to 'streamline' it!
The rear turret impressed the British press who came up with a lot of stories the Germans called it a 'Flying Porcupine'. This is almost certainly another propaganda myth; the Germans had cannon, and weren't going to be particularly impressed by four .303in machine guns.
Inside:
The turret worked well, and was effective, but more to do with the guts of the gunners, than the pop-guns.
And on top;
Two crew show the pan-fed Vickers K or VGO guns. 96 rounds of .303 pellets. Note in this propaganda shot the ammo pans aren't fitted. Clearly you could also shoot your mate.
What the gentleman pilot did. This is Dickie Cohen, RAAF. He's still going, and has a fund of great stories.
And it had a lot of the comforts of home. Time for tea! From the material on the wall, you can tell this is an Aussie machine (Can you see the roo and the koala?).
All bar the colour shot are of 10 or 461 Sqn RAAF Sunderlands, based in the UK, keeping the Atlantic open. They were passed to me from several different sources, including my friend Ian Le Sueur.
If this is of interest I can post more - (The Database feature is here, btw: http://www.aeroplanemonthly.com/ ). Fire off any questions too, and I'll do my best to answer them.
There are countless amazing Sunderland stories too.
Cheers,
Thu Jan 15, 2009 7:50 am
James, How many if the BMFs are still in existence?
Thu Jan 15, 2009 7:55 am
gary1954 wrote:James, How many if the BMFs are still in existence?
Three in the UK, one in France, two in the USA, two in New Zealand, counting civil versions and two Solents. Kermit Weeks owns the last airworthy example, although it's not currently a flyer - nor likely to fly again without a lot of work. (Edit correction.)
Last edited by JDK on Thu Jan 15, 2009 5:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Thu Jan 15, 2009 8:02 am
James, there is only one Sunderland in NZ,a Mk V at Motat. There is a cockpit section at Ferrymead, Christchurch but that's all. unless you're counting the other Sunderland in the Chatham islands, which is in about 100 pieces?
Are you counting the Solent Mk IV as a Sunderland? They're somewhat different when you see them side by side. There's a Solent in the USA too at Oakland, California.
Are you counting the Solent Mk IV as a Sunderland? They're somewhat different when you see them side by side. There's a Solent in the USA too at Oakland, California.
Thu Jan 15, 2009 8:06 am
Nice pics. Thanks for sharing. It is a big beast. I have been through Kermit Week's AC at FoF. Totally civilianized, but that is what kept her in the air and away from the scrappers. Shame I have not seen it fly. Don't know when that one was last flown either. She is in pretty good shape, but who knows what is under the paint and more importantly, under the cowls!
Thu Jan 15, 2009 8:49 am
Can anyone post here the clip that was on You Tube a long while back that was a memorial to a Sunderland crew?
It's beautiful. I wish I still had it.
It's beautiful. I wish I still had it.
Mess Table
Thu Jan 15, 2009 8:56 am
This seems to be a feature in the flying boats. Photos below are of one of the pile of Martin PBM Mariner mess tables I found. Neat to see that the flying boat fraternity thought alike...
Thu Jan 15, 2009 9:01 am
What is the story on finding those tables? Was there anything else along with them?
Secret Martin Underground PBM production facility
Thu Jan 15, 2009 1:35 pm
These tables, and the benches and bunks that came with them, were in a warehouse in South Baltimore which is an auto parts warehouse. Everything that was WWII aircraft part related was removed over 2 years ago.
Thu Jan 15, 2009 2:28 pm
IIRC, Mr. Weeks Sunderland last flew during an Olympic Torch flight for the '96 Olympics? And, IIRC, used parts from the engines on his B24 to make that flight possible.
I would love to have been on that last flight across the Atlantic to OSH (in '93??).
I have been through Mr. Weeks Sunderland @ FOF and the one at RAF Hendon which is outfitted with all military equipment. Mighty impressive.
I would love to have been on that last flight across the Atlantic to OSH (in '93??).
I have been through Mr. Weeks Sunderland @ FOF and the one at RAF Hendon which is outfitted with all military equipment. Mighty impressive.
Thu Jan 15, 2009 2:54 pm
Cool pics James. Thanks for the history lesson. 
Thu Jan 15, 2009 3:14 pm
michaelharadon wrote:Can anyone post here the clip that was on You Tube a long while back that was a memorial to a Sunderland crew?
It's beautiful. I wish I still had it.
Firstly, I would like to thank James and Allan for their excellent article in The Aeroplane Monthly. Must admit I was excited when I saw the Sunderland on the cover this month. It is my favorite aircraft, and the Dumbarton factory where they built many of them is only a few miles from where I live. Thanks again and for the brilliant pictures you posted here.
I think the video you are talking about might be on ths site Michael, also some info on the Mk.1 they may raise from Pembroke Dock (please, please, please!!) http://www.transporttrust.com/11022.html
Thu Jan 15, 2009 3:16 pm
PS. Did I mention I love the Sunderland!!!!!!! 
Thu Jan 15, 2009 3:57 pm
Maybe you've all seen it before, but here's a neat little video with a Sunderland in it.
Gotta love news reel!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hu2qxgtFvW8
Cheers,
David
Gotta love news reel!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hu2qxgtFvW8
Cheers,
David
Thu Jan 15, 2009 5:53 pm
Dave Homewood wrote:James, there is only one Sunderland in NZ,a Mk V at Motat. There is a cockpit section at Ferrymead, Christchurch but that's all. unless you're counting the other Sunderland in the Chatham islands, which is in about 100 pieces?
Are you counting the Solent Mk IV as a Sunderland? They're somewhat different when you see them side by side. There's a Solent in the USA too at Oakland, California.
Thanks Dave, teach me to post after a long day... Yes, I was thinking of the MoTAT Solent (a development of the Shorts 'boats). As Dave's pointed out there are numerous 'bits' around, and NZ has the most of those!
Django wrote:Cool pics James. Thanks for the history lesson.
Ooo, I hope it wasn't too skoolish.
It's all learning; researching the type for the feature taught me a lot I didn't know about it. I also met up with a 10 Sqn fitter, and have dispatched a copy to him. It's all good.daveymac82c wrote:Maybe you've all seen it before, but here's a neat little video with a Sunderland in it.
Gotta love news reel!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hu2qxgtFvW8
Neat video, Dave, well found. That's the infamous RNZAF Sunderland that kissed the keel to the runway during an airshow in the 1950s, IIRC. Not recommended, because you are going to be landing with a hole in the hull on water! It's no amphibian.
Thanks to everyone for the feedback; I'll see what else I can dig out.