The Backstop Bomber: The Short Sperrin

[Rheged]

The Short Sperrin

         The Sperrin began life as the "back stop bomber", a conventional design on which the R A F could fall back if the more advanced V force had problems.  The B1 version was built on production jigs and flew most successfully in August 1951. At this point, events in Korea intervened. Boeing B29s were being shot to pieces by MiG 15 fighters and "something must be done.....action this day!"   Originally engined with Avons, a B2 version had already been in  preparation  with Sapphire engines. These were put into production as an interim design pending Armstrong Siddeley's super-priority development of the 9,000 lb thrust Emerald.

         Two squadrons of Sperrin B2   bombers were in action over Korea 9 weeks before the armistice and made a favourable impression on the allies (and given a 20,000 lb bomb load, a considerable impression on targets). Their 53,000 foot ceiling gave a certain degree of protection from the MiG 15

          The RAF took delivery of a total of 25 Sperrin B2s in 1951 and these were later upgraded to B4 standard. No further RAF orders were placed, as all three of the V bombers entered service successfully.    The B4 Sperrins ceased to be front line aircraft in 1957 and were used as test hacks for several years.   One B4 was given longer wings and the most powerful Sapphires available. As the B4 (HA) this aircraft, believed to be VX163, regularly staggered to 69,000 feet as a radar intercept target for the new Lightning fighter. Others served as test hacks for the Blue Diamond stand-off missile which was cancelled after a series of failed launches and near disasters.   By 1972, the last Sperrin was gracing the "retired" park at Boscombe Down, from where it was recently moved (in poor condition) to Cosford.

         Following the Korean War, the USAF wanted jet bombers NOW! and took delivery in early 1953 of  50 Sperrin B3 aircraft, with A/S Emeralds, on lease-lend terms. The need for these aircraft was allegedly so urgent that no U S name or number was officially attached to them, although they were referred to as B56 (GB) s. They were returned to the UK in 1958. In return, the RAF gained 80 Sabres that were shipped back to the USA at the same time. The ex USAF aircraft were gifted to Australia (34) and Canada (10).

   The Canadian Sperrins, known in RCAF service as the Sequoia, were soon relegated to test and training functions. One of these, known as "Haida Girl" was vital in the development of the Orenda Iroquois engine that was used in the Avro Arrow long range interceptor fleet.

   The Australian Sperrins served briefly as front line bombers, until replaced by more efficient Canberras.  Twelve of them were then converted into Sperrin PR5 reconnaissance aircraft, with extra fuel tanks squeezed into the bomb bay.   This PR5 fleet was an essential part of the Commonwealth force during the Indonesian troubles of the 1950's and 1960's.   Some B4s were allocated to the Woomera test area, where they became most unfairly known as the "Maralingerers".

   Although only used as a bomber in front line service for a few years, this willing work-horse contributed much to the design and testing of many later aircraft programmes.
   

[pyro-manic]

Nice. What about the R.4 ELINT/SIGINT version, a handful of which were used to monitor Soviet ballistic missile forces' communications in Eastern Europe during the Cuban Missile Crisis?

[The Rat]

Nice story - now build it! 

[Rheged]

Nice. What about the R.4 ELINT/SIGINT version, a handful of which were used to monitor Soviet ballistic missile forces' communications in Eastern Europe during the Cuban Missile Crisis?

Are we  allowed to talk about this now?   If it's no longer classified, you  should  pass on this information  to us all forthwith!   I await your disclosures with baited breath.

[Weaver]

Not to mention the handful of serial-less, PRU blue Sperrin PR.9s with ultra-long span wings and Avon 301s that definately were NOT seen close to the world's trouble spots through to the mid-1970s.....

[Martin H]

carefull....all this talk of extra wing span will start Kit off again.

[philp]

Are you planning the Magna kit in 72nd,



or the Anigrand kit in 1/144th?
http://www.anigrand.com/AA4043_Sperrin.htm

[Maverick]

As always, nicely written Rheged.  I did an RAF 'Dambuster' and RAAF Sperrin a while ago, but suffice to say, I will knock up a few more.

Regards,

Mav

[PR19_Kit]

carefull....all this talk of extra wing span will start Kit off again.

Not to mention the handful of serial-less, PRU blue Sperrin PR.9s with ultra-long span wings and Avon 301s that definately were NOT seen close to the world's trouble spots through to the mid-1970s.....

Ah yes, those Sperrin PR9s........

I've got some information on them stashed away somewhere. 

[Weaver]

carefull....all this talk of extra wing span will start Kit off again.

Not to mention the handful of serial-less, PRU blue Sperrin PR.9s with ultra-long span wings and Avon 301s that definately were NOT seen close to the world's trouble spots through to the mid-1970s.....

Ah yes, those Sperrin PR9s........

I've got some information on them stashed away somewhere. 

If you can't find it, try ringing Langley.....

[Rheged]

carefull....all this talk of extra wing span will start Kit off again.

Not to mention the handful of serial-less, PRU blue Sperrin PR.9s with ultra-long span wings and Avon 301s that definately were NOT seen close to the world's trouble spots through to the mid-1970s.....

Ah yes, those Sperrin PR9s........

I've got some information on them stashed away somewhere. 

If you can't find it, try ringing Langley.....

Are you sure that's the right way round!    I suggest that Langley will be ringing one of us, soon.  Do you think that I might be able to interest them in  the ongoing and very black saga of the Miles M 52?

[Rheged]

Not to mention the handful of serial-less, PRU blue Sperrin PR.9s with ultra-long span wings and Avon 301s that definately were NOT seen close to the world's trouble spots through to the mid-1970s.....

Aaah, yes....  I've often wondered why  there was such a long runway and huge hanger at Machriehanish.