Stirling Wings

Of the RAF's trio of four-engined heavy bombers in the Second World War, the Short Stirling was unique in a number of vital respects, not least for incurring the ire of 'Bomber' Harris through its performance shortcomings in the service of RAF Bomber Command.
Introduced into RAF squadron service in August 1940, a total of 2,371 Stirlings were eventually built and flown by the RAF before the type was finally withdrawn from service in July 1946. At the zenith of its operational career with Bomber Command in 1943, twelve squadrons were equipped with Short Brothers' mighty bomber before unacceptably high losses forced its relegation to second-line duties. In its modified guise as the Mark IV and Mark V, the Stirling also fulfilled an important role with the RAF as a paratroop transport, glider tug and long-range passenger transport.
The conversion of most Main Force bomber squadrons to the Halifax and Lancaster during 1943 saw the Stirling become the poorer relation of the trio of heavies, principally for its lack-lustre performance. Lack-lustre it may have been in the eyes of Harris and his Halifax and Lancaster crews, but to the great majority of Stirling aircrews their kite was undisputably the 'Queen of the Skies'.
Although 'officially' hard-pushed to reach more than 13,000 ft with a full load, some individual Stirlings bombed their targets from heights of 19,000 ft with 7,000 lb bomb-loads. Thanks to its solid construction the Stirling was also able to absorb an amazing amount of battle damage and still make it home; one badly damaged Special Duties Stirling, on fire and with wounded crew on board, made it home across the North Sea on one engine. With testimonials like these, it comes as little surprise when former crews argue that, with the Stirling, it has been a classic case of 'give a dog a bad name'.
Illustrated by more than 140 photographs, many of which have not been published before, Stirling Wings is a sequence of gripping narrative 'snapshots' of the Short Stirling in action during the Second World War. Comprehensive appendices include details of the Stirling's principal manufacturing sites, squadron! and airfields associated with the aircraft, and squadron commanders.


by Jonathan Falconer
Published by Alan Sutton 1995 1st edition. 214pp profusely illustrated, index, appendix, bibliography. 18x25 mint, including d/j.
Contains appendices giving information on manufacturing sites, airfields, squadrons and commanding officers associated with the aircraft.





Note:
"Long" descriptions, where shown, may have been taken from the book's dust jacket notes, and as such are relevant to the date of publication (e.g. any references to "new edition" "previously unpublished photographs" etc.) and not the present.