A further 40 Supermarine
Stranraer biplanes were built, under license, by the Canadian
Vickers company for the Royal Canadian Air Force.
The Supermarine Stranraer Biplane Operational History
Between 1937 and 1941, the Royal Air Force used 17 of these
biplanes to carry out coastal reconnaissance. With an insignificant
performance and general dislike by both ground and flight crews, it
gained many nicknames including: whistling birdcage, flying Meccano
set, strainer and whistling shithouse.
The Royal Canadian Air Force biplanes were in service with
them between 1938 and 1944, and used for anti–submarine coastal
patrols.
The Supermarine Stranraer Biplane Later Years
Several of these biplanes were sold to civilian airlines
after World War II. Eight went to Aero Transport Ltd. of Tampa,
Florida, and thirteen to Queen Charlotte Airlines of British
Columbia, where they remained in use until 1957.
There is only one intact example in existence today. It was
one of the Canadian Vickers built Stranraers that was used by the
Royal Canadian Air Force before being operated by Canadian Pacific
Airlines and finally Queen Charlotte Airlines. It is currently on
display in the Royal Air Force Museum, London.
Various scale models, model kits and plans of this aircraft have
been available in the market place.
Supermarine Stranraer Biplane Specifications:
Supermarine Stranraer Crew: 6 to 7
Supermarine Stranraer Length: 54ft 9in (16.7m)
Supermarine Stranraer Wingspan: 85ft 0in (25.9m)
Supermarine Stranraer Height: 21ft 9in (6.6m)
Supermarine Stranraer Wing area: 1,457ft˛ (135.4m˛)
Supermarine Stranraer Empty weight: 11,250lb (5,100kg)
Supermarine Stranraer Loaded weight: 19,000lb (8,620kg)
Supermarine Stranraer Engine: Twin Bristol Pegasus X radial
engines, 920 hp (685 kW) each
Supermarine Stranraer Maximum speed: 165mph (265 km/h)
Supermarine Stranraer Range: 1000 mi (1,610 km)
Supermarine Stranraer Service Ceiling: 18,500ft (5,640m)
Supermarine Stranraer Biplane Armaments:
Guns:
3 × 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Lewis guns |