Short Stirling & RAF Bomber Command Forum

There appears to be two versions of the MK 1 one with the turret above the fuselage and one without. Is it possible to determine which version was built based on serial number. The Stirling I am interested in has code BU-H (214 sqdn) Serial EF-331. Very interested in which way it was built.
Thank you
Bikerbob

Hi Bikerbob,
Max and or other talented gents who specialise in modelling will hopefully assist you.
John

Hi BikerBob,

I'm afraid that you have been mis-informed! There were 4 versions of the MKI - see attached, however I think that there is an error in the text as I don't believe that the series IV A/C had a Mid-Under Turret. Yours is quite a late A/C and so is probably a Series III as the other series did not last long at all. To what degree are you interested in the construction of the A/C? Just the sticking out bits or down to the rivets?

EF-331 was built at Rochester and delivered between Jan and Dec 1943 - Bowyer states28.2.43.

Look for pictures of A/C in the range EF327 to EF369 which were in the same batch - in all likelihood they would have been the same.

If anyone has a list of what serials were which series I would love to know what N6012 was!


James

Hi Again

Amendment! I think the mistake in the text is that MKI Series III should state 'midship UPPER turrets' which I think were the most common. They were the pointy archbishops hat types!

I think that the Series IV did have a periscopic under turret but there were not many made - also I think that many MKIs had a browning fitted which just pointed out of the rear escape hatch - not sure if that was ever officially a 'series'.



James

Nice work there Detective James, your on the ball.
Cheers,
John

Another point not made well in the text is that the midship under turret in series 4 isn't the same as the midship under turret fitted on the series 1.


James

Thanks Fellows
your replies cleared up a number of questions
Bikerbob