Short Sunderland (1937)

RNAS/FAA 777 built.

As far as naval matters goes, the Short Sunderland, was the U-Boat's worst nightmare, equal part and even more than the other allied angel of the Atlantic, the PBY Catalina. This was arguably the most successful Britis flying boat of WW2, for many reasons. Stdied from 1935, bult from 1938 to 1942 and used by many navies (750 built), the last were retired in 1967. A very rugged machine, it gained its nickname of Fliegendes Stachelschwein ("Flying Porcupine") during an engagement by six Ju-88C fighters off Norway in 1940.

In short

The Short Sunderland was a British flying boat and one of the most iconic maritime patrol aircraft of World War II. It was designed and built by Short Brothers, entering service in 1938, and remained operational in various roles until the 1960s. This was a long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare (ASW), high-wing monoplane flying boat with four engines, a deep hull, and large fuel capacity for extended missions. The Crew was typically 7–11 personnel, depending on mission requirements. It was well defended with Multiple .303 Browning machine guns mounted in powered turrets (nose, tail, and dorsal positions). It carried also Bombs, depth charges, or mines carried under the wings.

It was nicknamed the "Flying Porcupine" by the Germans due to its heavy defensive armament, which made it a challenging target. It had excellent endurance and range, making it well-suited for patrolling vast ocean areas. It was equipped with advanced radar systems later in the war, enhancing its ability to detect and attack submarines. The Sunderland played a crucial role in the Battle of the Atlantic, protecting Allied convoys from German U-boats. It conducted search-and-rescue missions, transport duties, and even cargo runs in remote areas. The aircraft proved rugged and reliable, capable of landing on open water for rescues, though this was risky in rough seas. The Sunderland continued to serve in peacetime roles, including transport and survey missions. Variants were operated by several nations, including Australia, New Zealand, and France.

Development

Design

General conception

Engine

Armament

⚙ PLANE specifications
Gross Weight
Max Takeoff weight
Lenght
Wingspan
Height
Wing Area
Engine
Top Speed, sea level
Cruise Speed
Range
Climb Rate
Ceiling
Armament
Crew

Service

In Museums Today

Gallery

Author's illustrations: Types and liveries

Additional photos

Links and resources

Barnes C.H. and Derek N. James. Shorts Aircraft since 1900. London: Putnam, 1989.
Bowyer, Chaz. Sunderland at War. Shepperton, Surrey, UK: Ian Allan Ltd., 1976.
Bridgman, Leonard, ed. "The Short S-25 Sunderland." Jane's Fighting Aircraft of WWII. Studio, 1946.
Buttler, Tony, AMRAeS. Short Sunderland (Warpaint Series No. 25). Milton Keynes, UK: Hall Park Books Ltd.
Eden, Paul, ed. The Encyclopedia of Aircraft of WW II. Leicester, UK: Silverdale Books/Bookmart Ltd, 2004.
Evans, John. The Sunderland Flying-boat Queen, Volume I-III. Pembroke Dock, Pembrokeshire: Paterchurch Publications, 1987-2004.
Grant, Mark. Australian Airpower 1914 to 1945. Marrickville, NSW: Topmill P/L, 1996.
Johnson, Brian. The Secret War. London: BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation), 1978.
Kightly, James. "Sunderland Survivors." Aeroplane, February 2009.
Lake, Jon. Sunderland Squadrons of World War 2. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing, 2000.
Lawrence, Joseph (1945). The Observer's Book Of Airplanes. London and New York: Frederick Warne & Co.
Miller, David. U-Boats: The Illustrated History of The Raiders of The Deep. London: Brassey's Inc., 2002.
Norris, Geoffrey. The Short Sunderland (Aircraft in Profile number 189). London: Profile Publications, 1967.
Nicolaou, Stephane. Flying Boats & Seaplanes: A History from 1905. New York: Zenith Imprint, 1998.
Prins, François (Spring 1994). "Pioneering Spirit: The QANTAS Story". Air Enthusiast. No. 53. pp. 24–32.
Short Sunderland (AP1566). (Suffixes A through E for Mk I through V, -PN and Vols 1 through 4 for Pilots Notes, General Description, Maintenance, Overhaul and Parts Manuals). London: RAF (Air Publication), 1945.
Simper, Robert. River Medway and the Swale. Lavenham, Suffolk, UK: Creekside Publishing, 1998.
Southall, Ivan. Fly West. Woomera: Australia: Angus and Robertson, 1976.
Tillman, Barrett. Brassey's D-Day Encyclopedia: The Normandy Invasion A-Z. London: Brassey's, 2004.
Warner, Guy (July–August 2002). "From Bombay to Bombardier: Aircraft Production at Sydenham, Part One". Air Enthusiast.
Werner, H. A. Iron Coffins: A U-boat Commander's War, 1939–45. London: Cassells, 1999.
Lake, Alan. FLYING UNITS OF THE RAF – The ancestry, formation and disbandment of all flying units from 1912. England: Alan Lake, 1999