Blackburn Perth

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R.B.3A Perth
MH 003012.jpg
A Perth, flying with the MAEE in 1935
RoleFlying boat
Manufacturer Blackburn Aeroplane and Motor Company
Designer John Douglas Rennie
First flight11 October 1933
Introduction1934
Retired1938
Primary user Royal Air Force
Produced1933–1934
Number built4
Developed from Blackburn Iris

The Blackburn Perth was a British flying boat which was in service during the interwar period. It was essentially an upgraded Iris, and hence the largest flying-boat to serve with the Royal Air Force at the time (and the largest biplane flying boat ever to serve with the RAF).

Contents

Design and development

The Blackburn R.B.3A Perth was designed as a replacement for the earlier Iris to Air Ministry Specification 20/32. Developed from the Iris Mk. V, the Perth first flew in 1933. [1] It differed from the Iris by replacing the Rolls-Royce Condor engines of the Iris by more powerful Rolls-Royce Buzzards and having an enclosed cockpit for the pilots. Unusually, in addition to its normal armament, the Perth was fitted with a Coventry Ordnance Works C.O.W 37 mm (1.46 in) autocannon in its bows. [2]

Four Perths were ordered for service for the RAF. [3]

Operational history

The Perth entered service with the RAF in January 1934, [3] when the second aircraft was delivered to No. 209 Squadron RAF at RAF Mount Batten Plymouth. [1] Perths remained in service until 1937, [1] being replaced by the Short Singapore and the Saro London. One aircraft was retained by the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment until 1938.

Operators

Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom

Specifications (Perth)

Data from Aircraft of the Royal Air Force 1918–57 [1]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

  • 1 × C.O.W 37 mm (1.46 in) automatic cannon in bow
  • 3 × .303 in (7.7 mm) Lewis guns in bow, amidships and tail positions
  • Up to 2,000 lb (907 kg) bombs

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Thetford, Owen (1957). Aircraft of the Royal Air Force 1918–57 (1st ed.). London: Putnam. pp. 76–77.
  2. "C.O.W. 37mm cannon fitted to Blackburn Perth flying boat", YouTube
  3. 1 2 3 4 Donald, David (Editor) (1997). The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Aerospace Publishing. p. 134. ISBN   1-85605-375-X.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)