Stirling versions

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bikerbob
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Stirling versions

Post by bikerbob »

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
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K4KittyCrew
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Re: Stirling versions

Post by K4KittyCrew »

Hi Bikerbob,
Max and or other talented gents who specialise in modelling will hopefully assist you.
John
K for Kitty Crew - Winthorpe, 1661 HCU's - stirlingaircraftsoc.raf38group.org/
630 Squadron - East Kirkby
" There is nothing glorious about war with the exception of those who served us so valiantly"
jamesinnewcastle
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Re: Stirling versions

Post by jamesinnewcastle »

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
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11.jpg
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Last edited by jamesinnewcastle on Mon Dec 28, 2015 12:25 am, edited 1 time in total.
jamesinnewcastle
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Re: Stirling versions

Post by jamesinnewcastle »

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
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K4KittyCrew
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Re: Stirling versions

Post by K4KittyCrew »

Nice work there Detective James, your on the ball.
Cheers,
John
K for Kitty Crew - Winthorpe, 1661 HCU's - stirlingaircraftsoc.raf38group.org/
630 Squadron - East Kirkby
" There is nothing glorious about war with the exception of those who served us so valiantly"
jamesinnewcastle
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Re: Stirling versions

Post by jamesinnewcastle »

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
bikerbob
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Re: Stirling versions

Post by bikerbob »

Thanks Fellows
your replies cleared up a number of questions
Bikerbob
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