Malcolm V Lowe describes the later operational versions of one of the most famous and successful military flying boats: the Short Sunderland.
ABOVE: Big, powerful and impressive, the Sunderland flying boat was a major asset for the RAF’s Coastal Command anti-submarine effort during World War Two and served throughout the conflict. Illustrated here is Mk.V 4X-W of 230 Squadron post-war. The blister beneath each outer wing housed part of the ASV Mk.VIc radar equipment. Key Collection.
Short Brothers Sunderland flying Brothers’ boat was a big, powerful asset during the RAF’s World War Two operations.
It was a significant product of that famous pioneering British aviation company, the name of which was often abbreviated to Shorts or simply Short. Designed in the 1930s, the type proved to be of great use in the struggle against Nazi Germany’s U-boat menace, and then went on to have a significant career after World War Two. Sunderlands also served with a small number of major overseas air arms.
Among the various production versions, the best – in terms of mission equipment and available power – was undoubtedly the Sunderland Mk.V. This important model entered service shortly before the end of hostilities and continued to provide valu…
