The Short S.25 Sunderland is a British flying boat patrol bomber, developed and constructed by Short Brothers for the Royal Air Force (RAF). The aircraft took its service name from the town (latterly, city) and port of Sunderland in North East England.

Derived from the pre-war Empire flying-boat, the Sunderland became a legend in World War II as the main patrol flying-boat of British Commonwealth forces. It was tough and reliable, performing just about any maritime task including U-boat hunting, air-sea rescue and transport.

To meet requirement R.2/33 of the Air Ministry for a general reconnaissance flying boat, Short developed the S.25 Sunderland from their famous S.23 "Empire" or "C-class" flying boat, the flagship of Imperial Airways.

2024年12月28日 · 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.

It entered service in June 1938 and was the first British flying boat to have power-operated gun turrets as part of its defensive armament. This strong protective armament resulted in the Germans giving it the nickname ‘Flying Porcupine’.

2022年4月25日 · The Short S.25 Sunderland was a British flying boat patrol bomber was developed for the Royal Air Force (RAF) in parallel with the civilian S.23 Empire flying boat.

2020年6月28日 · The large, graceful Sunderland was among World War II’s best flying boats. Because it bristled with armament, the Germans regarded it as the “Flying Porcupine.” The advent of successful Short Empire C-class flying boats in 1933 persuaded the British Air Ministry to consider its adoption for military purposes.

The first Sunderland flew in 1937 and was the first British flying boat to have power-operated gun turrets. Capable of staying airborne for 16 hours, they were used for coastal patrol, cargo, air-sea rescue, and convoy protection against enemy submarines.

The Short S.25 Sunderland was a British flying boat patrol bomber developed for the Royal Air Force (RAF) by Short Brothers. Based in part upon the S.23 'Empire' flying boat, the flagship of Imperial Airways , the S.25 was extensively re-engineered for military service.

2024年10月25日 · The Sunderland flying boat, although less known than the Spitfire or Hurricane, was a powerful and versatile aircraft during WWII. With its four Pegasus engines, it was well-equipped to detect and attack German submarines, especially in the Atlantic battles where U-boats posed a grave threat to Allied ships.