Supermarine Stranraer

Supermarine Stranraer
Description
Role	Reconnaissance flying-boat
Crew	6-7
First Flight	July 27, 1934
Entered Service	April 16, 1937
Manufacturer	Supermarine Aviation
Dimensions
Length	54 ft 10 in	16.7 m
Wingspan	85 ft 0 in	25.9 m
Height	21 ft 9 in	6.6 m
Wing Area	1,457 ft²	135.4 m²
Weights
Empty	11,250 lb	5,100 kg
Loaded	19,000 lb	8,620 kg
Maximum takeoff	lb	kg
Powerplant
Engine	2 × Bristol Pegasus X
Power (each)	875 hp	650 kW
Performance
Maximum speed	165 mph @ 6,000 ft	265 km/h @ 1,830 m
Combat range	1,000 miles	1,609 km
Ferry range	km	miles
Service ceiling	18,500 ft	5,640 m
Rate of climb	1,350 ft/min	410 m/min
Wing loading	13 lb/ft²	63.7 kg/m²
Power/Mass	0.092 hp/lb	0.151 kW/kg
Armament
Guns	3 × 0.303 in (~7.7 mm) Lewis guns
Bombs	1,000 lb (454 kg) of bombs or depth charges

The Supermarine Stranraer marked the end of biplane flying-boat devlopment for the Royal Air Force. Built to Air Ministry specification R.24/31, they entered service from April, 1937. Many were still in service at the outbreak of the Second World War and flew anti-submarine and convoy escort patrols. They were withdrawn from operational service in March 1941, but continued to serve in a training capacity until October 1942.

The structure was mainly duralumin, with the hull covered with sheet metal and the wings with fabric. 17 Stranraers were built in Britain and 40 in Canada, serving with the RCAF until 1945. Some units passed into civilian use after the war.