THIRTY-TON BOMBER

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24249, 15 April 1942, Page 6

THIRTY-TON BOMBER

DETAILS NOW REVEALED MENACE TO NAZI FIGHTERS LONDON, Jan. 30 Although the Short Stirling, the world's heaviest bomber, has figured prominently in raids on Germany and occupied countries for well over a year, details of its unique features have been secret until now. With a maximum speed of 300 m.p.h. and a range of 2000 miles, it weighs when fully loaded 30 tons, and can carry a bomb load of eight tons. Its length is over 87ft., its wing span 99ft. and its height 22ft. 9in. In spite of these dimensions the designer of the aircraft, Mr. A. Gouge, told a "representative of the Daily Telegraph that it was very easy to manoeuvre, and "Stirling crews , had often chased German fighters when on raids. This was confirmed by the chief test pilot for Short Brothers, Mr. J. L. Parker, the first man to fly the aircraft. He declared that experience had shown that German fighter pilots avoided the Stirling unless they were at least three to one. This is not surprising when one sees the very efficient defensive armament that the Stirling carries. There are three gun turrets, situated in the nose, mid-upper and rear positions of the fuselage, and altogether eight Browning guns are mounted in these turrets.