The Short Sunderland: The Legendary WWII Flying Boat (Great Planes of World War Two Book 3)
£1.90
Ideal for fans of Alexander McKee, Andrew Hendrie, Ken Delve, and Martin W. Bowman.
The story of the Sunderland flying boat began with the innovative Short brothers, Horace, Albert, and Hugh, who, since 1908, were at the forefront of British aeroplane design and manufacturing. Having trained the first Royal Navy officers as pilots in their flying machines and successfully deployed seaplanes during World War One, they were well-positioned in 1933 to meet the RAF’s need for a long-range, four-engine flying boat with armaments, sleeping accommodations, and catering facilities. The result was the Short Sunderland, entering RAF service and history books in 1938.
In this book, Chaz Bowyer traces the evolution of this remarkable aircraft and the valuable contribution it made to the Allied campaign worldwide throughout the Second World War. Bowyer’s research is thorough and exhaustive, drawing on sources that include original documentation, reports, and many first-hand accounts from those who flew or worked on the Sunderland in the UK and abroad.
The Sunderland served the RAF for a total of 21 years, during which it is estimated to have been instrumental in destroying or damaging at least 60 German and Italian U-boats. Operating as part of Coastal Command, it played a vital role throughout the war: protecting shipping routes and convoys, reconnaissance, supplying aid and evacuations, air-sea rescues, and passenger transportation, to name but a few. Post-war, its usefulness endured, supporting the Berlin Airlift, with many aircraft converted for use in civil aviation. Reading this account, it is easy to see why the Sunderland inspired such awe and affection among those who lived and worked with it.
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Additional information
| Publisher | Sapere Books (16 Jun. 2025) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| File size | 2.1 MB |
| Simultaneous device usage | Unlimited |
| Text-to-Speech | Enabled |
| Screen Reader | Supported |
| Enhanced typesetting | Enabled |
| X-Ray | Not Enabled |
| Word Wise | Enabled |
| Print length | 358 pages |
by mark c
Good book on a often forgotten workhorse.
by Colin Cool
Excellent reference source for Short Sunderland enthusiasts. Chas Bowyer is a highly regarded author of aviation references, his works serving as a widely used reference source for other similiarly well-regarded authors.
by Richard Gollin
Only a handful of aircraft helped decide the outcome of the war and the Sunderland is one. This book gives a great outline of its 20 year story.
I had not realised that , for the most part, it was a scaled up version of a previous smaller aircraft. Could you say that the Lancaster/Manchester was another example.
Sunderland crews faced hours of tedium and a horrendous accident rate. The nation owes them all a tremendous debt.
by john stretch
Bowyer manages to combine breadth, detail and interesting writing style, I have rarely found all three in a single book. I bought it because my father was Wing Engineering Officer at Seletar in the early 50s, but it exceeded my hopes like few other books about specific aircraft. You do not have to be a Sunderland fan to buy this book, it combines great detail for the enthusiast and also many exciting stories for anyone who like true adventure wartime tales