Supermarine Stranraer

A twin-engined flying boat the Supermarine Stranraer would be in service with the Royal Air Force at the beginning of World War 2 and the Supermarine Stranraer would remain in service with the Royal Canadian Air Force until 1944.

N/A 1936 63

With the issue of Specification R.24/31 by the Air Ministry requiring a coastal reconnaissance twin-engined flying boat, the Supermarine Southampton Mk V was originally submitted by the company, although the new aircraft had more in common with the Supermarine Scapa, but was re-named to Stranraer by August 1935.

Whilst the prototype aircraft was powered by two Bristol Pegasus IIIM engines the production Stranraers would have their power supplied by a pair of Pegasus X engines and seventeen examples would be ordered during August 1935 but to a different Specification R.17/35 and this order would be complimented in May 1936 by a further six aircraft.

During 1936 No. 288 Squadron who were based at Pembroke Dock would become the first squadron in the Royal Air Force equipped with the new aircraft and by the time war broke out they were still in service and also equipped Nos 201 and 209 Squadrons who were based at Invergordon, however Saro Lerwicks and Short Sunderlands re-equipped the two squadrons in the middle of 1940.

The Supermarine Stranraer was also used by the Royal Canadian Air Force, who had their Stranraers built by Canadian Vickers, and they began equipping No. 5 (General Reconnaissance) Squadron during November 1938. The type would also equip a further six RCAF squadrons with the aircraft being removed from service during April 1944. During which time they would perform anti-submarine patrols and be used to train new crews.

A total of 63 were built before Stranraer production ended.

Royal Air Force Museum, London

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