Short Stirling by Alan W Hall

The Short Stirling in a title of its own

The book presents the heavy bomber that reached the combat squadrons first of the famous British four-engine trio. The author is Alan W Hall. The title belongs on a bookshelf rather than on the modeling bench among the parts, even though it gives modelers in particular a valuable picture of the shapes and the operational use of the machine.

A giant whose wings were tied

The specification required the aircraft to fit into existing hangars, so it was given a fairly short span. The consequence was a low ceiling, because of which the Stirling flew below the others in formations and was an easy target. Its tall, complicated landing gear became as much of a hallmark as the long bomb bay divided by bulkheads, which prevented it from taking the heaviest bombs. The crews nevertheless valued its strength and its surprising agility for such a large machine.

A second life under tow

When more capable types replaced it in the bomber role, it found work as a glider tug and as a transport and airborne-forces aircraft. In that form it took part in the Normandy landings and in later airborne operations, which makes it an interesting subject for diorama builders as well. The last examples ended their service shortly after the war, so few physical relics have survived.

Who the book suits

• anyone interested in British bomber aviation
• modelers preparing to build this type
• readers interested in airborne operations
• anyone fond of unjustly overlooked aircraft types