Appendix 6: Some particulars of British and Enemy Aircraft in use in the Middle East and Mediterranean Theatre during the period of this volume
The figures in these tables are no more than a general guide to the characteristics and capabilities of each type of aircraft. The performance is affected the climate, the skill of the pilot, the accuracy of navigation, and by the uncertainties of flying in the presence of the enemy. For these reasons a safety margin has to be imposed, so the operational range—not to be confused with the radius of action—is always much less than the still air range. Broadly speaking, after allowing for the running of the engines on the ground and for the climb to the height quoted, the still air range is the distance that can be flown in still air until the tanks are empty.
NOTES:
(i) The most economical cruising speed is the speed at which the greatest range is achieved.
(ii) The height given in column 4 is the optimum height for the maximum speed.
Fighter aircraft
British
| Aircraft | Fuel Galls. | Still Air Range at Most Economical Cruising Speed, in Miles | Most Economical Cruising Speed in Miles per Hour | Maximum Speed in Miles per Hour | Armament | Remarks |
| Beaufighter—Twin engine monoplane Crew 2 | 550 | 1,515 | 226 at 15,000 ft. | 324 at 11,750 ft. | 6 x .303 4 x 20 mm | |
| Blenheim Mk. IVF—Twin engine monoplane Crew 2 | 466 | 1,615 | 170 at 15,000 ft. | 266 at 11,800 ft. | 7 x .303 | |
| Fulmar—Single engine monoplane Crew 2 | 155 | 820 | 170 at 10,000 ft. | 253 at 10,000 ft. | 8 x .303 | Fleet Air Arm. |
| Fury—Single engine biplane Crew 1 | 50 | 440 | 127 at 15,000 ft. | 205 at 15,000 ft. | 2 x.303 | |
| Gauntlet—Single engine biplane Crew 1 | 79 | 626 | 118 at 15,000 ft. | 225 at 15,000 ft. | 2 x.303 | |
| Gladiator—Single engine biplane Crew 1 | 83 | 523 | 142 at 15,000 ft. | 245 at 15,000 ft. | 4 x.303 | Sea Gladiators of the Fleet Air Arm were a modified version. |
| Hurricane Mk. I—Single engine monoplane Crew 1 | 97 | 600 | 180 at 15,000 ft. | 316 at 17,750 ft. | 8 x.303 | |
| Hurricane Mk. II—Single engine monoplane Crew 1 | 97 183(a) | 480 970 | 200 at 15,000 ft. | 342 at 22,000 ft. | 12 x.303 or 4 x 20 mm | (a) with two extra tanks |
| Martlet III (Wildcat)—Single engine monoplane Crew 1 | 136 | 1,150 | 166 at 15,000 ft. | 330 at 19,500 ft. | 4 or 6 x 0.5 | Fleet Air Arm |
| Tomahawk—Single engine monoplane Crew 1 | 132 175 | 695 825 | 185 at 15,000 ft. | 340 at 16,000 ft. | 2 x.50 4 x.303 | American design and manufacture. |
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Bomber aircraft (including bomber transport and bomber reconnaissance)
British
| Aircraft | Still Air Range with Associated Bombload in Miles | Bombload | Most Economical Cruising Speed in Miles Per Hour | Maximum Speed in Miles Per Hour | Armament | Remarks |
| Albacore—Single engine biplane Crew 2 or 3 | 521 | 1 Torpedo or 1,500 lb | 105 at 6,000 ft. | 163 at 4,800 ft. | 2 x .303 | Fleet Air Arm. Figures relate to use as torpedo-bomber. |
| Anson—Twin engine monoplane Crew 3 | 660 560 | 200 lb 360 lb | 158 at 6,000 ft. | 188 at 7,000 ft. | 2 x .303 | |
| Audax—Single engine biplane Crew 2 | 470 | 80 lb | 138 at 3,000 ft. | 168 at 5,000 ft. | 2 x .303 | |
| Battle—Single engine monoplane Crew 2 | 1,050 | 1,000 lb | 148 at 15,000 ft. | 241 at 13,000 ft. | 2 x .303 | |
| Blenheim Mk. I—Twin engine monoplane Crew 3 | 920 | 1,000 lb | 165 at 15,000 ft. | 265 at 15,000 ft. | 2 x .303 | |
| Blenheim Mk. IV—Twin engine monoplane Crew 3 | 1,460 | 1,000 lb | 180 at 15,000 ft. | 266 at 11,800 ft. | 5/6 x .303 | |
| Bombay—Twin engine monoplane Crew 4 | 1,500 330 | (a) (b) | 120 at 10,000 ft. | 159 at 10,000 ft. | 2 x .303 | Transport aircraft (a) With 10 troops. (b) With 24 troops. Could carry up to 2,000 lb. bombs. |
| Gordon—Single engine biplane Crew 2 | 550 | 500 lb | 115 at 5,000 ft. | 137 at 5,000 ft. | 2 x .303 | |
| Hardy—Single engine biplane Crew 2 | 477 | 500 lb | 115 at 10,000 ft. | 156 at 10,000 ft. | 2 x .303 | |
| Hartbeest—Single engine biplane Crew 2 | 450 | 568 lb | 110 at 11,000 ft. | 145 at 11,000 ft. | 3 x .303 | |
| Ju.86—Twin engine monoplane Crew 6 | 700 | 1,160 lb | 120 at 8,000 ft. | 140 at 6,000 ft. | 6 x .303 | Figures given are for East African conditions. Performance differs from that of the German Ju.86 (military version) |
| Lysander—Single engine monoplane Crew 2 | 1,410 | 500 lb | 123 at 10,000 ft. | 212 at 4,500 ft. 197 at 15,000 ft. | 4 x .303 | |
| Maryland—Twin engine monoplane Crew 3 | 1,210 1,080 | 1,500 lb 2,000 lb | 176 at 15,000 ft. | 278 at 11,800 ft. | 8 x .303 | American design and manufacture. |
| Oxford—Twin engine monoplane Crew 3 | 500 | 160 lb | 166 at 5,000 ft. | 190 at 10,000 ft. | 2 x .303 | |
| Seafox—Single engine biplane Crew 2 | 440 | 200 lb. | 106 at 5,860 ft. | 124 at 5,860 ft. | 1 x .303 | Fleet Air Arm. |
| Skua—Single engine monoplane Crew 2 | 980 | 500 lb | 157 at 15,000 ft. | 212 at 15,000 ft. | 5 x .303 | Fleet Air Arm fighter dive-bomber. |
| Sunderland Flying-Boat Mk. I—Four engine monoplane Crew 10 | 1,850 2,425 | 1,900 lb Nil | 142 at 5,000 ft. | 188 at 6,500 ft. | 7 x .303 | |
| Swordfish—Single engine biplane Crew 2 | 528 | 1,500 lb or 1 Torpedo | 103 at 5,000 ft. | 139 at 5,000 ft. | 2 x .303 | Fleet Air Arm torpedo-bomber. |
| Valentia—Twin engine biplane Crew 2 | 367 | (a) | 104 at 6,500 ft. | 111 at 6,500 ft. | None | Transport aircraft. (a) with 22 troops. |
| Vincent—Single engine biplane Crew 2 | 726 | 500 lb | 95 at 10,000 ft. | 141 at 10,000 ft. | 2 x .303 | |
| Walrus—Single engine amphibian biplane Crew 3 | 600 | 500 lb or 2 depth charges | 95 at 3,500 ft. | 135 at 4,750 ft. | 1 x .303 | Fleet Air Arm. |
| Wellesley—Single engine monoplane Crew 2 | 2,250 | 1,060 lb | 133 at 15,000 ft. | 206 at 15,000 ft. | 2 x .303 | |
| Wellington Mk. I—Twin engine monoplane Crew 6 | 2,550 1,200 | 1,000 lb 4,500 lb | 165 at 10,000 ft. | 225 at 4,700 ft. 235 at 15,500 ft. | 6 x .303 | |
| Wellington Mk. II—Twin engine monoplane Crew 6 | 2,450 1,750 1,400 | 1,250 lb 3,500 lb 4,500 lb | 175 at 15,000 ft. | 245 at 7,000 ft. 247 at 17,000 ft. | 6 x .303 |
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Fighter Aircraft
Italian
| Aircraft | Fuel in Galls | Still Air Range at Most Economical Cruising Speed in Miles | Most Economical Cruising Speed in Miles Per Hour | Maximum Speed in Miles Per Hour | Armament | Remarks |
| C.R.32—Single engine biplane Crew 1 | 80 | 790 | 130 at 10,000 ft. | 233 at 10,000 ft. | 2 x 12.7 mm | |
| C.R.42—Single engine biplane Crew 1 | 77 | 535 | 150 at 13,100 ft. | 270 at 13,100 ft. | 2 x 12.7 mm | |
| G.50—Single engine monoplane Crew 1 | 69 | 530 | 170 at 14,500 ft. | 300 at 14,500 ft. | 2 x 12.7 mm | |
| M.C.200—Single engine monoplane Crew 1 | 70 | 570 | 170 at 15,000 ft. | 310 at 15,000 ft. | 2 x 12.7 mm | |
| M.C.202—Single engine monoplane Crew 1 | 96 | 445 | 190 at 18,000 ft. | 345 at 18,000 ft. | 2 x 12.7 mm | |
| Re.2000—Single engine monoplane Crew 1 | 146 | 1,125 | 175 at 15,000 ft. | 320 at 15,000 ft. | 2 x 12.7 mm | |
| Re.2001—Single engine monoplane Crew 1 | 146 | 900 | 190 at 18,000 ft. | 345 at 18,000 ft. | 2 x 12.7 mm 2 x 7.7 mm |
Fighter Aircraft
German
| Aircraft | Fuel in Galls | Still Air Range at Most Economical Cruising Speed in Miles | Most Economical Cruising Speed in Miles Per Hour | Maximum Speed in Miles Per Hour | Armament | Remarks |
| Ar.196—Single engine monoplane Crew 2 | 132 | 600 | 120 at 6,000 ft. | 195 at sea level | 3 x 7.9 mm 2 x 20 mm | Used mainly for naval reconnaissance. Could carry 220 lb of bombs |
| Me.109 E—Single engine monoplane Crew 1 | 88 | 655 | 200 at 16,500 ft. | 355 at 18,000 ft. | 2 x 7.9 mm 2 x 20 mm | |
| Me.109 F—Single engine monoplane Crew 1 | 88 | 650 | 200 at 17,000 ft. | 395 at 22,000 ft. | 2 x 7.9 mm 3 x 20 mm | |
| Me.110—Twin engine monoplane Crew 2 | 280 | 930 | 200 at 18,000 ft. | 360 at 20,000 ft. | 6 x 7.9 mm 2 x 20 mm |
Fighter Aircraft
Vichy French (In Syria)
| Aircraft | Fuel Galls. | Still Air Range at Cruising Speed in Miles | Cruising Speed in Miles Per Hour | Maximum Speed in Miles Per Hour | Armament | Remarks |
| Dewoitine 520—Single engine monoplane Crew 1 | 140 | 625 | 310 at 13,000 ft. | 330 at 13,000 ft. | 1 x 20 mm 4 x 7.5 mm | |
| Morane 406—Single engine monoplane Crew 1 | 88 | 500 | 275 at 13,000 ft. | 303 at 13,000 ft. | 1 x 20 mm 2 or 4 x 7.5 mm | |
| Potez 63—Twin-engine monoplane Crew 3 | 175 | 625 | 250 at 13,000 ft. | 280 at 13,000 ft. | 2 x 20 mm 6 x 7.5 mm | Night fighter. |
NOTE: The cruising speed given for the French aircraft is normal, not most economical.
Fighter Aircraft
Iraqi
| Aircraft | Fuel Galls. | Still Air Range at Cruising Speed in Miles | Cruising Speed in Miles Per Hour | Maximum Speed in Miles Per Hour | Armament | Remarks |
| Gladiator—Single engine biplane Crew 1 | 83 | 523 | 142 at 15,000 ft. | 245 at 15,000 ft. | 4 x .303 |
Bomber Aircraft (Including Bomber Transport and Bomber Reconnaissance)
Italian
| Aircraft | Still Air Range with Associated Bombload in Miles | Bombload | Most Economical Cruising Speed in Miles Per Hour | Maximum Speed in Miles Per Hour | Armament | Remarks |
| B.R. 20—Twin engine monoplane Crew 4 | 1,350 | 2,200 lb | 175 at 13,000 ft. | 255 at 13,500 ft. | 1 x 12.7 mm 2 x 7.7 mm | |
| Ca. 311—Twin engine monoplane Crew 3 to 4 | 1,315 | 880 lb | 120 at 13,000 ft. | 260 at 13,000 ft. | 4 x 7.7 mm | |
| Cant. Z. 501—Single engine flying-boat Crew 4 to 5 | 2,450 | 1,100 lb | 85 at sea level | 152 at sea level | 4 x 7.7 mm | |
| Cant. Z. 506—Three engine seaplane Crew 4 to 5 | 1,130 | 1,750 lb | 140 at 13,000 ft. | 230 at 13,000 ft. | 1 x 12.7 mm 3 x 7.7 mm | |
| Cant. Z. 1007b—Three engine monoplane Crew 4 to 5 | 1,650 | 1,100 lb | 160 at 15,000 ft. | 280 at 15,000 ft. | 2 x 12.7 mm 2 x 7.7 mm | |
| Ghibli—Twin engine monoplane Crew 3 to 4 | 530 1,210 | 740 lb Nil | 100 at 3,000 ft. | 158 at sea level | 3 x 7.7 mm | Reconnaissance and light bombing. |
Bomber Aircraft (Including Bomber Transport and Bomber Reconnaissance)
Italian
| Aircraft | Still Air Range with Associated Bombload in Miles | Bombload | Most Economical Cruising Speed in Miles Per Hour | Maximum Speed in Miles Per Hour | Armament | Remarks |
| Ju.87—Single engine monoplane Crew 2 | 360 | 1,100 lb | 160 at 15,000 ft. | 245 at 15,000 ft. | 3 x 7.9 mm | Dive-bomber. |
| Ro.37—Single engine biplane Crew 2 | 1,100 1,295 | 400 lb Nil | 120 at 14,000 ft. | 200 at 14,000 ft. | 2 x 12.7 mm 1 x 7.7 mm | |
| S.79—Three engine monoplane Crew 4 to 5 | 1,190 | 2,750 lb | 155 at 13,000 ft. | 255 at 13,000 ft. | 3 x 12.7 mm 2 x 7.7 mm | Used, when modified, as a torpedo bomber. |
| S.81—Three engine monoplane Crew 4 to 5 | 1,030 | 2,200 lb | 130 at 15,000 ft. | 210 at 15,000 ft. | 6 x 7.7 mm | |
| S.84—Three engine monoplane Crew 4 to 5 | 1,360 1,230 | 1,760 lb 4,400 lb | 170 at 15,000 ft. | 280 at 15,000 ft. | 4 x 12.7 mm |
Bomber Aircraft (Including Bomber Transport and Bomber Reconnaissance)
German
| Aircraft | Still Air Range with Associated Bombload in Miles | Bombload | Most Economical Cruising Speed in Miles Per Hour | Maximum Speed in Miles Per Hour | Armament | Remarks |
| F.W.200 Four engine monoplane Crew 5 to 7 | 2,150 | 3,600 lb | 165 at 16,000 ft. | 240 at 13,000 ft. | 3 x 13 mm 3 x 15/20 mm | Long range reconnaissance aircraft. |
| He.111 Twin engine monoplane Crew 5 to 6 | 1,510 | 2,200 lb | 180 at 17,000 ft. | 240 at 14,000 ft. | 7 x 7.9 mm 2 x 20 mm | |
| Ju.52 Three engine monoplane Crew 3 to 4 | 530–790 | Nil | 132 at sea level | 165 at sea level | 5 x 7.9 mm | Transport aircraft Freight: 4,000–5,060 lb. |
| Ju.87 Single engine monoplane Crew 2 | 360 | 1,100 lb | 160 at 15,000 ft. | 245 at 15,000 ft. | 3 x 7.9 mm |
Dive-bomber (Stuka) |
| Ju.88 Twin engine monoplane Crew 4 | 1,310 | 2,200 lb | 194 at 16,400 ft. | 295 at 14,000 ft. | 7 x 7.9 mm 1 x 20 mm |
Bomber Aircraft (Including Bomber Transport and Bomber Reconnaissance)
Vichy French (In Syria)
| Aircraft | Still Air Range with Associated Bombload in Miles | Bombload | Cruising Speed in Miles Per Hour | Maximum Speed in Miles Per Hour | Armament | Remarks |
| Bloch 200 Twin engine monoplane Crew 4 | 1,055 | 4,400 lb | 155 at 13,000 ft. | 165 at 13,000 ft. | 5 x 7.5 mm | |
| Dewoitine 338 Three engine monoplane Crew 3 | 965 | 1,430 lb | 175 (height not recorded) | 195 (height not recorded) | Nil | Transport aircraft. Could carry 22 troops instead of bombs. |
| Farman 222 Four engine monoplane Crew 7 | 1,120 | 8,800 lb | 175 at 13,000 ft. | 190 at 13,000 ft. | 3 x 7.5 mm | |
| Leo 45 Twin engine monoplane Crew 4 | 1,370 | 3,080 lb | 260 at 13,000 ft. | 310 at 13,000 ft. | 1 x 20 mm 6 x 7.5 mm | |
| Loire 130 Single engine flying-boat Crew 3 | 500 | 330 lb | 100 at 13,000 ft. | 155 at 13,000 ft. | 2 x 7.5 mm | |
| Maryland Twin engine monoplane Crew 3 | 1,210 1,080 | 1,500 lb 2,000 lb | 176 at 15,000 ft. | 278 at 11,800 ft. | 8 x .303 | American design and manufacture. |
| Potez 65 Twin engine monoplane Crew 3 | 870 | (a) | 155 at 13,000 ft. | 180 at 13,000 ft. | Nil | Transport aircraft (a) with 12 troops. |
NOTE: The cruising speed given for the French aircraft, except the Maryland, is normal, not most economical.
Bomber Aircraft (Including Bomber Transport and Bomber Reconnaissance)
Iraqi
| Aircraft | Still Air Range with Associated Bombload in Miles | Bombload | Most Economical Cruising Speed in Miles Per Hour | Maximum Speed in Miles Per Hour | Armament | Remarks |
| Audax—Single engine biplane Crew 2 | 470 | 80 lb | 138 at 3,000 ft. | 168 at 5,000 ft. | 2 x .303 | |
| Ba.65—Single engine monoplane Crew 1 to 2 | 590 | 880 lb | 160 at 13,500 ft. | 255 at 16,400 ft. | 2 x 12.7 3 x 7.7 | Italian ground attack aircraft. |
| Dragon—Twin engine biplane Crew 1 | 500 | – | 110 at 1,000 ft. | 128 at sea level | – | Designed in U.K. for transport. Bombload and armament used by Iraqi Air Force unknown. |
| Dragonfly—Twin engine biplane Crew 1 | 600 | – | 125 at 1,000 ft. | 147 at sea level | – | Designed in U.K. for transport. Bombload and armament used by Iraqi Air Force unknown. |
| Moth—Single engine biplane Crew 2 | 300 | 100 lb | 94 at 1,000 ft. | 110 at sea level | – | Designed in U.K. as a trainer. Armament used by Iraqi Air Force unknown. |
| Northrop 8A—Single engine monoplane Crew 2 | 910 | 1,800 lb | 200 at 10,000 ft. | 255 at 9,000 ft. | 5 x .30 | Fighter bomber. American manufacture. |
| S.79—Three engine monoplane Crew 4 to 5 | 1,190 | 2,750 lb | 155 at 13,000 ft. | 255 at 13,000 ft. | 3 x 12.7 2 x 7.7 | Italian. |
| Vincent—Single engine biplane Crew | 2726 | 500 lb | 95 at 10,000 ft. | 141 at 10,000 ft. | 2 x .303 |