The Short Stirling was the only bomber aircraft that served with Bomber Command during the second World War designed from the outset to carry four engines.  She was also the largest of the three four engine bombers to see service.

In comparison with the Avro Lancaster and the Handley Page Halifax, the Stirling was the tallest at 22 ft 9 inches, the longest (tail down) at 87 ft 2 inches, but had the shortest wingspan of 99 ft 1 inch.  Powered by four Bristol Hercules 14 cylinder, air  cooled, supercharged, two row, radial engines the Stirling was a mighty sight and was viewed as more than capable of carrying out the work it was designed to carry out during World War Two.

The Stirling entered RAF service in August 1940 with No. 7 Squadron, and flew its first operation on the night of the 10/11^th February 1941.  Three aircraft of No. 7 Squadron were dispatched to join a force of 40 other aircraft to attack the oil storage tanks at Rotterdam.

Primarily a bomber, the Stirling undertook a variety of duties during its service with the RAF, serving on the front line with great distinction, and serving for the duration of the conflict.  The Stirling showed a remarkable ability to adapt to specific roles and designated duties as and when required.

Stirlings of No. 7 Squadron, with four other Squadrons of Lancaster, Wellington and Halifax bombers, formed the nucleus of the now famous ‘pathfinder force'.

Stirlings of No. 38 Group operated on the 5^th June 1944, the day before D-Day, dropping paratroopers of the 6^th Airborne Division into Normandy.

Six Stirling Squadrons were involved in the ill fated attempt to capture the bridge over the Rhine at Arnhem on the 17^th September 1944 (Operation Market Garden).  Unfortunately 34 Stirling aircraft were either lost or severely damaged between the 17^th and 23^rd September 1944, attempting to drop supplies to the then surrounded 1^st British Airborne Division.  Stirlings were also involved in the attack on the flying bomb sites at Abbeville, France.

Mine laying operations were undertaken as well as Special Duties, such as Special Operations Executive (SOE) agent drops into enemy occupied territory.  In the run up to the D-Day landings, Stirlings of No. 199 Squadron dropped ‘Window’ (now known as Chaff) to confuse German radar.

Stirlings served on Special Duties Squadrons made many lone flights at low level to supply the various Resistance groups dotted around Europe and Scandinavia.   Stirling LJ925 surveyed by the ‘Norsix 99’ expedition was one such aircraft that unfortunately failed to return undertaking this hazardous and difficult work.

As a Mk 5, the Stirling served as a transportation aircraft.  At the end of the War and it’s service life, the aircraft that remained were either sold or scrapped.

Out of the three four engine bombers to serve in the RAF during the second World War, the Short Stirling is the only one not to have an example as a tribute to the crews that flew her, the ground crews who serviced her, the many Station personnel who worked around her, or those who designed and built her.

Specification