Saro London

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Saro London
Saro London 01.jpg
A Saro London II of 204 Squadron shown fitted with the dorsal fuel tank
General information
TypeReconnaissance flying-boat
Manufacturer Saunders-Roe Ltd
Primary users Royal Air Force
Number built31
History
Manufactured1934–1938
Introduction date1936
First flightMarch 1934
Retired1941
Developed from Saro A.7 Severn

The Saunders Roe A.27 London was a British military biplane flying boat built by the Saunders Roe company. Only 31 were built, entering service with the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1936. Although due for replacement by the outbreak of the Second World War, they saw some active service pending the introduction of the unsuccessful Lerwick.

Contents

Development

The A.27 London was designed in response to the Air Ministry Specification R.24/31 issued for a "General Purpose Open Sea Patrol Flying Boat" and was based on the Saro A.7 Severn. [1] [2] The London and its contemporary, the Supermarine Stranraer, were the last multi-engine, biplane flying-boats to see service with the RAF. [1] [2] The design used an all-metal corrugated hull and fabric-covered wing and tail surfaces, with two Bristol Pegasus II radial engines, mounted on the upper wing to keep them clear of spray while taking off and landing.

The first prototype first flew in March 1934 and then went on to serve until 1936 with 209 Squadron and 210 Squadron of the RAF at RAF Felixstowe and Gibraltar respectively.

The first deliveries of production aircraft began in March 1936 with Pegasus III engines and from the eleventh aircraft onwards the Pegasus X engine was fitted instead as the London Mk.II. Earlier Londons were retrofitted with the Pegasus X and also became "Mk.II"s.

Operational history

A Saro London of 240 Squadron RAF on patrol over the North Sea. Aircraft of the Royal Air Force 1939-1945- Saro A.27 London. CH1922.jpg
A Saro London of 240 Squadron RAF on patrol over the North Sea.

The London Mk.II model equipped 201 Squadron at RAF Calshot beginning in 1936, replacing Supermarine Southamptons. Others were delivered in October 1936 to 204 Squadron at RAF Mount Batten, Plymouth, also replacing Southamptons. More were delivered to the same squadron in 1937 to replace Blackburn Perths, and to 202 Squadron at Kalafrana, Malta, replacing Supermarine Scapas and 228 Squadron at Pembroke Dock.

In 1937–1938 204 Squadron used five Londons equipped with auxiliary external fuel tanks for a long-distance training flight to Australia to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Colony at Sydney, New South Wales. In this configuration, they had a range of 2,600 mi (4,200 km).

At the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939, Londons equipped 201 Squadron, which was by now stationed at Sullom Voe in Shetland, and 202 Squadron at Gibraltar, as well as 240 Squadron at Invergordon, which had re-equipped with Londons in July 1939. These aircraft carried out patrols over the North Sea and the Mediterranean. Some were fitted with a dorsal fuel tank to increase operational radius. Armament in the form of bombs, depth charges, and naval mines up to a total weight of 2,000 lb (910 kg) could be carried beneath the lower wings.

Gradually, newer aircraft such as the Lockheed Hudson took over, while squadrons flying Atlantic and Mediterranean patrols were re-equipped with Short Sunderlands. All were withdrawn from front-line duties by the middle of 1941.

Variants

Prototype
One only
London Mk.I
10 built with two 820 hp Pegasus III engines and two-bladed propellers. Later converted to Mk II.
London Mk.II
20 built with two 915 hp Pegasus X engines and four-bladed propellers.

Operators

Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom

Specifications (London Mk.II)

Saro London.svg

Data from War Planes of the Second World War: Volume Five Flying Boats [4]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

  1. 1 2 March 1998, p. 191.
  2. 1 2 Mondey 2002, p. 180.
  3. ↑ Jefford 2001, pp. 70–73, 76, 78, 175.
  4. ↑ Green 1968, pp. 82–83.

Bibliography

  • Burney, Allan. Flying Boats of World War 2 (The Aeroplane; & Flight Magazine Aviation Archive Series). London: Key Publishing Ltd., 2015. ISBN   978-1-90-978611-0
  • Green, William. War Planes of the Second World War, Volume Five: Flying Boats. London: Macdonald & Co. (Publishers) Ltd., 1962 (Fifth impression 1972). ISBN   0-356-01449-5.
  • Jefford, C.G. RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1988 (second edition 2001). ISBN   1-85310-053-6.
  • London, Peter. Saunders and Saro Aircraft Since 1917. London: Putnam (Conway Maritime Press), London, 1988. ISBN   0-85177-814-3.
  • March, Daniel J. British Warplanes of World War II: Combat Aircraft of the RAF and Fleet Air Arm, 1939–1945. Hoo, near Rochester, Kent, UK: Aerospace Publishing Ltd., 1998. ISBN   1-84013-391-0.
  • Mondey, David. The Hamlyn Concise Guide to British Aircraft of World War II. Hamlyn (publishers),1982 (republished 1994 by Chancellor Press, reprinted 2002). ISBN   1-85152-668-4.
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