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Short Stirling Mk V-replaced by the Lancaster and Halif
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Short Stirling Mk V-replaced by the Lancaster and Halif
Short Stirling Mk V-replaced by the Lancaster and Halifax, later Stirlings served primarily as glider tugs
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Media ID 14223650
© Hugh W. Cowin Aviation Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library
Glider Halifax Lancaster Primarily Served Stirling Tugs Short
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the moment of transition in the history of British aviation, as Short Stirling Mk V bombers are replaced by Lancaster and Halifax aircraft in RAF service. The Short Stirling Mk V, a four-engine heavy bomber produced by Short Brothers in Belfast, Northern Ireland, had entered service with the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1941. However, its performance and vulnerability in combat proved to be inferior to newer designs, such as the Lancaster and Halifax. By 1943, the Lancaster and Halifax had emerged as more effective and versatile aircraft, and the RAF began to phase out the Stirlings. In this image, we see a line of Short Stirling Mk Vs, their powerful engines idling, as they await their turn to be retired or repurposed. Behind them, Lancaster and Halifax bombers can be seen taking off, ready to join the frontline. The Short Stirlings that were not retired were repurposed for other roles, most notably as glider tugs. These aircraft were modified to tow gliders carrying troops and supplies behind the frontlines, providing essential support to ground forces. The Halifax, in particular, proved to be an excellent glider tug, and continued in this role until the end of the war. This photograph is a poignant reminder of the constant evolution of military aviation and the role of innovation in shaping the course of history. The Short Stirling Mk V may have been surpassed by newer designs, but its legacy lived on in the form of the Lancaster and Halifax, which went on to become iconic symbols of British air power during World War II.
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