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Appendix 9: 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 by 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 that 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 IV is the optimum height for the maximum speed.

Details of the following types of aircraft also in use during the period of this Volume but not included below will be found in Appendix 6 of Volume II.

British—Anson, Audax, Battle, Blenheim Mk. I, Gladiator, Hartbeest, Ju.86, Lysander, Morane 406, Martlet Mk. III, Potez 63, Skua, Swordfish, Vincent, Walrus and Wellesley.

Italian—Ca. 311, Cant. Z. Sot, CR 32 and S.81.

Page 446

Fighter Aircraft

British

Aircraft Fuel and Still Air Range at Most Economical Cruising Speed Most Economical Cruising Speed in Miles Per Hour Maximum Speed in Miles Per Hour Armament Remarks
Galls. Miles
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 Mk. II Single-engine monoplane, Crew 2 155 820 170 at 10,000 ft. 253 at 10,000 ft. 8 x .303 Fleet Air Arm.
Hurricane Mk. I Single-engine monoplane, Crew I 97 boo 180 at 15,000 ft. 316 at 17,750 ft. 8 x .303
Hurricane Mk. IIA and B Single-engine monoplane, Crew 1 97 480 200 at 15,000 ft. 342 at 22,000 ft. 8 x .303(A) or 12 x .303(B) (a) With two extra tanks. Could carry 2 x 250 lb. bombs in lieu of tanks.
183(a) 970
Hurricane Mk. IIC Single-engine monoplane, Crew 1 97 470 212 at 20,000 ft. 339 at 22,000 ft. 4 x 20 mm (a) With two extra tanks. Could carry 2 X 250 lb bombs in lieu of tanks.
183(a) 960
Hurricane Mk. IID Single-engine monoplane, Crew 1 97 495 176 at 2,000 ft. 316 at 19,000 ft. 2 x 40 mm 2 x .303

Page 447

Aircraft Fuel and Still Air Range at Most Economical Cruising Speed Most Economical Cruising Speed in Miles Per Hour Maximum Speed in Miles Per Hour Armament Remarks
Galls. Miles
Kittyhawk Mk. I Single-engine monoplane, Crew 1 123 780 210 at 15,000 ft. 345 at 15,000 ft. 4 x .50 American design and manufacture. (a) With extra tank. Could carry one 500 lb. bomb in lieu of tank.
166(a) 1,050
Kittyhawk Mk. II Single-engine monoplane, Crew 1 131 795 240 at 20,000 ft. 345 at 14,700 ft. 4 or 6 x .50 American design and manufacture. (a) With extra tank. Could carry one 500 lb. bomb in lieu of tank.
174(a) 1,075
Spitfire Mk. VB Single-engine monoplane, Crew 1 85 480 208 at 20,000 ft. 375 at 20,250 ft. 4 x .303 + 2 x 20-mm
Spitfire Mk. VC Single-engine monoplane, Crew 1 84 469 226 at 20,000 ft. 369 at 19,500 ft. 8 x .303 or 2 x 20-mm + 4 x .303 or 4 x 20-mm (a) With extra tank.
114(a) 648
Tomahawk Single-engine monoplane, Crew 1 132 695 185 at 15,000 ft. 340 at 16.000 ft. 2 x .50 + 4 x .303 American design and manufacture. (a) With extra tank.
175(a) 825

Page 448

Bomber Aircraft

(including bomber transport and bomber reconnaissance)

British

Aircraft Still Air Range with Associated Bombload Most Economical Cruising Speed in Speed Miles Per Hour Maximum Speed in Miles Per Hour Armament Remarks
Miles Bombload
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.
Baltimore Mk. III Twin-engine monoplane, Crew 3 950 2,000 lb. 190 at 15,000 ft. 301 at 11,000 ft. 10 x .300 + 4 x .303 American design and manufacture. The Marks I and II were of only slightly lower performance.
2,030 Nil
Beaufort Mk. I Twin-engine monoplane, Crew 4 1,390 1 Torpedo or 1,650 lb. 160 at 5,000 ft. 236 at 5,000 ft. 4 x .303
Beaufort Mk. II Twin-engine monoplane, Crew 4 1,285 1 Torpedo or 1,650 lb. 160 at 5,000 ft. 260 at 14,500 ft. 4 x .303
Sisley (Blenheim Mk. V) Twin-engine monoplane, Crew 3 1,230 1,000 lb. 170 at 15,000 ft. 244 at 6,000 ft. 5 x .303

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British (continued)

Aircraft Still Air Range with Associated Bombload Most Economical Cruising Speed in Miles Per Hour Maximum Speed in Miles Per Hour Armament Remarks
Miles Bombload
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 (a) 120 at 10,000 ft. 159 at 10,000 ft. 2 x .303 Bomber transport aircraft. (a) With to troops. (b) With 24 troops. Could carry up to 2,000 lb. of bombs.
330 (b)
Boston Mk. III Twin-engine monoplane, Crew 4 1,020 2,000 lb. 200 at 15,000 ft. 304 at 13,000 ft. 8 x .303 American design and manufacture.
Catalina Flying Boat Twin-engine monoplane, Crew 9 1,395 2,000 lb. 123 at 5,000 ft. 177 at 5,000 ft. 2 x .303 + 2 x .50 American design and manufacture.
2,950 Nil
Dakota Twin-engine monoplane Crew 3 1,520 (a) 160 at 10,000 ft. 220 at 10,000 ft. None Transport aircraft. (a) With 31 troops.
1,910 (b) (b) With 26 troops.
3,220 (c) (c) With 8 troops.

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British (continued)

Aircraft Still Air Range with Associated Bombload Most Economical Cruising Speed in Miles Per Hour Maximum Speed in Miles Per Hour Armament Remarks
Miles Bombload
Do. 22 Seaplane Single-engine monoplane, Crew 3 1,430 Nil 186 at 13,120 ft. 217 at 13,120 ft. 4 x 7.9-mm
Halifax Mk. II Four-engine monoplane, Crew 6 1,900 3,000 lb. 195 at 15,000 ft. 260 at 18,500 ft. 8 x .303
500 13,000 lb.
Hudson Mk. III Twin-engine monoplane, Crew 4 1,420 1,400 lb. 145 at 5,000 ft. 253 at 15,000 ft. 7 x .303 American design and manufacture.
2,370 Nil
Hudson Mk. VI Twin-engine monoplane, Crew 4 1,140 1,400 lb. 150 at 5,000 ft. 253 at 5,600 ft. 7 x .303 American design and manufacture.
2,240 Nil
Four-engine Liberator Mk. II monoplane, Crew 8 19940 8,000 lb. 180 at 15,000 ft. 262 at 14,000 ft. 5 x .50 + 4 x .303 American design and manufacture.
2,730 4,500 lb.

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British (continued)

Aircraft Still Air Range with Associated Bombload Most Economical Cruising Speed in Miles Per Hour Maximum Speed in Miles Per Hour Armament Remarks
Miles Bombload
Maryland Twin-engine monoplane, Crew 3 1,210 1,500 lb. 176 at 15,000 ft. 278 at 11,800 ft. 8 x .303 American design and manufacture.
1,080 2,000 lb.
Sunderland Flying Boat Mk. I Four-engine monoplane, Crew 10 1,850 1,900 lb. 142 at 5,000 ft. 188 at 6,500 ft. 7 x .303
2,425 Nil
Wellington Mk. I and IC Twin-engine monoplane, Crew 6 2,550 1,000 lb. 165 at 10,000 ft. 235 at 15,500 ft. 6 x .303
1,200 4,500 lb.
Wellington Mk. II Twin-engine monoplane, Crew 6 2,450 1,250 lb. 175 at 15,000 ft. 247 at 17,000 ft. 6 x .303
1,750 3,500 lb.
1,400 4,500 lb.
Wellington Mk. VIII Twin-engine monoplane, Crew 6 1,580 2,750 lb. 137 at 1,000 ft. 205 at 15,500 ft. 6 x .303 Equipped with ASV Could carry two torpedoes.
1,900 1,500 lb.
2,200 Nil

Page 452

Fighter Aircraft

United States

Aircraft Fuel and Still Air Range at Most Economical Cruising Speed Most Economical Cruising Speed in Miles Per Hour Maximum Speed in Miles Per Hour Armament Remarks
Galls. Miles
Kittyhawk Mk. II Single-engine monoplane, Crew 1 131 795 240 at 20,000 ft. 345 at 14,700 ft. 4 or 6 x .50 (a) With extra tank. Could carry one 500 lb. bomb in lieu of tank.
174(a) 1,075

Bomber Aircraft (including bomber transport and bomber reconnaissance)

United States

Aircraft Still Air Range with Associated Bombload Most Economical Cruising Speed in Miles Per Hour Maximum Speed in Miles Per Hour Armament Remarks
Miles Bombload
Liberator Mk. II Four-engine monoplane, Crew 8 1,940 8,000 lb. 180 at 15,000 ft. 262 at 1.1.,000 ft. 5 x .50 + 4 x .303
2,730 4,500 lb.
Mitchell Mk. II Twin-engine monoplane, Crew 5 1,150 3,000 lb. 210 at 15,000 ft. 295 at 15,000 ft. 4 x .50 + 1 x .30

Page 453

Fighter Aircraft

German

Aircraft Fuel and Still Air Range at Most Economical Cruising Speed Most Economical Cruising Speed in Miles Per Hour Maximum Speed in Miles Per Hour Armament Remarks
Galls. Miles
Ar. 196 Single-engine monoplane, Crew 2 132 600 120 at 6,000 195 at sea level 3 x 7.9-mm + 2 x 20-mm Used mainly for reconnaissance. Could carry 220 lb. of bombs.
Me.109E 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.109F 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

Page 454

Bomber Aircraft (including bomber transport and bomber reconnaissance)

German

Aircraft Still Air Range with Associated Bombload Most Economical Cruising Speed in Miles Per Hour Maximum Speed in Miles Per Hour Armament Remarks
Miles Bombload
BV. 138 Flying Boat Three-engine monoplane, Crew 5 to 6 1,140 1,400 lb. 120 at sea level 175 at sea level 2 x 15- or 20-mm + 1 x 13-mm
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
Hs.126 Single-engine monoplane, Crew 2 530 620 lb. 130 at 13,000 ft. 230 at 13,000 ft. 5 x 7.9-mm Army co-operation aircraft.
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.87D Single-engine monoplane, Crew 2 720 2,200 lb. 180 at 15,000 ft. 255 at 13,500 ft. 4 x 7.9-mm First operated in Middle East in Feb. 1942.
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

Page 455

Fighter Aircraft

Italian

Aircraft Fuel and Still Air Range at Most Economical Cruising Speed Most Economical Cruising Speed in Miles Per Hour Maximum Speed in Miles Per Hour Armament Remarks
Galls. Miles
CR 42 Single-engine biplane, Crew 1 77 535 150 at 13,100 ft. 270 at 13,100 ft. 2 x 12.7-mm Employed as a fighter-bomber in 1942.
G.50 Single-engine monoplane, Crew 1 69 530 170 at 14,500 ft. 300 at 14,500 ft. 2 x 12.7-mm
MC 200 Single-engine monoplane, Crew 1 70 570 170 at 15,000 ft. 310 at 15,000 ft. 2 x 12.7-mm
MC 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 £5,0430 ft. 2 x 12.7-mm
Re. 2001 Single-engine monoplane, Crew 1 146 goo 190 at 18,000 ft. 345 at 18,000 ft. 2 x 12.7-mm + 2 x 7,7-mm

Page 456

Bomber Aircraft (including bomber transport and bomber reconnaissance)

Italian

Aircraft Still Air Range with Associated Bombload Most Economical Cruising Speed in Miles Per Hour Maximum Speed in Miles Per Hour Armament Remarks
Miles Bombload
BR 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
Cant. Z. 506 Seaplane Three-engine monoplane, 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. 10076 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
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)
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. 82 Three-engine monoplane, Crew 4 to 5 2,200 3,200 lb. 172 at 10,000 ft. 205 at 7,000 ft. 3 x 7.7-mm + 1 x 12.7-mm
S. 84 Three-engine monoplane, Crew 4 to 5 1,360 1,760 lb. 170 at 15,000 ft. 280 at 15,000 ft. 4 x 12.7-mm
1,230 4,400 lb.

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