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[[File:Blackburn_Roc.jpg|thumb|262px|A Blackburn Roc]] |
[[File:Blackburn_Roc.jpg|thumb|262px|A Blackburn Roc]] |
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| + | The '''Blackburn B-25 Roc''' was a naval fighter used by [[Great Britain]] during [[World War II]]. |
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| + | =Description= |
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| ⚫ | One of its main differences from the Skua was that it had four .303 [[Browning M1919]] MGs mounted in a turret to the rear. The Roc also had a crew of two and could carry up to eight 14 kg bombs under the wings. When loaded, the weight of the vehicle around 3,600-4000 kg. The length of the aircraft was around 35 feet (or 10.7 meters) with a wingspan of 46 feet (or 14 meters). The service ceiling was approximately 5,500 meters.<ref name="WWII Vehicles">http://www.wwiivehicles.com/unitedkingdom/aircraft/fighter/blackburn-b-25-roc.asp</ref> |
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| ⚫ | It was based on the airframe of the [[Blackburn B-24 Skua]], with 136 examples built to specification O.30/35. Its name originated from the Roc, a legendary (and mythical) bird that killed and consumed large animals such as fully grown elephants. The plane had a Bristol [[Perseus XII Engine]] that was capable of propelling the Blackburn Roc at speeds of up to 358.8 km/h. |
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| ⚫ | One of its main differences from the Skua was that it had four .303 [[Browning M1919]] MGs mounted in a turret to the rear, making it the first naval aircraft to be fitted with a powered gun turret.<ref name="Gunner p140">Nijboer, Donald. Airlife Publishing. 2001. Page 140. </ref> The Roc also had a crew of two and could carry up to eight 14 kg bombs under the wings. When loaded, the weight of the vehicle around 3,600-4000 kg. The length of the aircraft was around 35 feet (or 10.7 meters) with a wingspan of 46 feet (or 14 meters). The service ceiling was approximately 5,500 meters.<ref name="WWII Vehicles">http://www.wwiivehicles.com/unitedkingdom/aircraft/fighter/blackburn-b-25-roc.asp</ref> |
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===Variants=== |
===Variants=== |
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==References== |
==References== |
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<references/> |
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| + | *Nijboer, Donald. Gunner - An illustrated history of World War II Aircraft turrets and gun positions. Airlife Publishing. 2001. ISBN 1-84037-304-0 |
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[[Category:British Aircraft]] |
[[Category:British Aircraft]] |
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[[Category:Fighters]] |
[[Category:Fighters]] |
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Revision as of 17:57, 23 December 2012
A Blackburn Roc
The Blackburn B-25 Roc was a naval fighter used by Great Britain during World War II.
Description
It was based on the airframe of the Blackburn B-24 Skua, with 136 examples built to specification O.30/35. Its name originated from the Roc, a legendary (and mythical) bird that killed and consumed large animals such as fully grown elephants. The plane had a Bristol Perseus XII Engine that was capable of propelling the Blackburn Roc at speeds of up to 358.8 km/h.
One of its main differences from the Skua was that it had four .303 Browning M1919 MGs mounted in a turret to the rear, making it the first naval aircraft to be fitted with a powered gun turret.[1] The Roc also had a crew of two and could carry up to eight 14 kg bombs under the wings. When loaded, the weight of the vehicle around 3,600-4000 kg. The length of the aircraft was around 35 feet (or 10.7 meters) with a wingspan of 46 feet (or 14 meters). The service ceiling was approximately 5,500 meters.[2]
Variants
Some of the converted aircraft were seaplanes with floats from Blackburn Shark aircraft, while L3084 - the 28th example - was used as a testbed for the sleeve-valve engine.[3] However, the first floatplane version crashed in testing and the floats were very unstable. Only two other floatplane examples were produced. The maximum speed of the Roc with the floats was reduced to only 286 km/h.
History
The Blackburn Roc, which was first developed in 1938, and actually built by Boulton & Paul,[4] saw very little combat before being taken out of front line service. From then on, it was used as a tug aircraft and a trainer. Although some aircraft were given to second-line squadrons.[2] The B-25 only had one confirmed air victory throughout the war. Some of the places that the Roc is known to have flown is off the coast of Norway and during the evacuation from Dunkirk.
References
- ↑ Nijboer, Donald. Airlife Publishing. 2001. Page 140.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://www.wwiivehicles.com/unitedkingdom/aircraft/fighter/blackburn-b-25-roc.asp
- ↑ Gunston, Bill. Illustrated Directory of Fighting Aircraft of World War II. MBI Publication (1999)
- ↑ Robertson, Bruce. British Military Aircraft Serials 1912-1966. Ian Allen Ltd (1967), Page 109
Bibliography
- Nijboer, Donald. Gunner - An illustrated history of World War II Aircraft turrets and gun positions. Airlife Publishing. 2001. ISBN 1-84037-304-0