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+ | [[File:Blackburn Roc.jpg||thumb|312px|A Blackburn Roc]] |
The '''Blackburn B-25 Roc''' was a naval fighter used by [[Great Britain]] during [[World War II]]. |
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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| − | Based on the airframe of the [[Blackburn B-24 Skua]], 136 examples were built to specification O.30/35. {{#tag:ref|Its name originated from the Roc, a legendary (and mythical) bird that killed and consumed large animals such as fully grown elephants.|group="N"}} The plane had a Bristol [[Perseus XII Engine]] that was capable of propelling the Blackburn Roc at speeds of up to 358.8 |
+ | Based on the airframe of the [[Blackburn B-24 Skua]], 136 examples were built to specification O.30/35. {{#tag:ref|Its name originated from the Roc, a legendary (and mythical) bird that killed and consumed large animals such as fully grown elephants.|group="N"}} 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.<ref name="Gunner p140">{{Gunner}} |
+ | 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">{{Gunner}}</ref> The Roc also had a crew of two and could carry up to eight 14 kg bombs under the wings. Loaded weight was around 3,600–4000 kg, length was around 35 feet (or 10.7 meters) and wingspan was 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> |
===Variants=== |
===Variants=== |
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| − | 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.<ref name="IDOFAOWW2 p20-21">{{WW2 Fighting Aircraft Illustrated Directory}} Pages 20-21</ref> 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 |
+ | 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.<ref name="IDOFAOWW2 p20-21">{{WW2 Fighting Aircraft Illustrated Directory}} Pages 20-21</ref> 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== |
==History== |
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| − | [[File: |
+ | [[File:Blackburn B-25 Roc.png|left|thumb|286px|A Roc in flight.]]The Blackburn Roc was first developed in 1938, making it's maiden flight on 23 December 1938.<ref name="WAIF F890 C23">{{WAIF}} File 890 Card 23 (A-Z of Aircraft: Blackburn B-9 to Blackburn B-25 Roc)</ref> The type was actually built by [[Boulton & Paul]].<ref name="BMAS 1912 1966 p109">{{British Military Aircraft Serials}} Page 109</ref> Trials revealed that the turret penalised the Roc in comparison to the Skua.<ref name="WAIF F890 C23"/> |
Following familiarisation visits to several units of the Fleet Air Arm, the type entered full service when four aircraft joined the eight Skuas assigned to 806 Squadron in February 1940. Four months later six Rocs were assigned to 801 Squadron, with a further sixteen joined No. 2 Anti Aircraft Co-operation unit. |
Following familiarisation visits to several units of the Fleet Air Arm, the type entered full service when four aircraft joined the eight Skuas assigned to 806 Squadron in February 1940. Four months later six Rocs were assigned to 801 Squadron, with a further sixteen joined No. 2 Anti Aircraft Co-operation unit. |
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Revision as of 02:16, 10 August 2015
A Blackburn Roc
The Blackburn B-25 Roc was a naval fighter used by Great Britain during World War II.
Description
Based on the airframe of the Blackburn B-24 Skua, 136 examples were built to specification O.30/35. [N 1] 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. Loaded weight was around 3,600–4000 kg, length was around 35 feet (or 10.7 meters) and wingspan was 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
A Roc in flight.
The Blackburn Roc was first developed in 1938, making it's maiden flight on 23 December 1938.[4] The type was actually built by Boulton & Paul.[5] Trials revealed that the turret penalised the Roc in comparison to the Skua.[4]
Following familiarisation visits to several units of the Fleet Air Arm, the type entered full service when four aircraft joined the eight Skuas assigned to 806 Squadron in February 1940. Four months later six Rocs were assigned to 801 Squadron, with a further sixteen joined No. 2 Anti Aircraft Co-operation unit. Following a Junkers Ju-87 raid against Gosport, four damaged Rocs were used as machine gun posts.[4]
The Roc saw very little combat before being taken out of front line service, after which 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.
Notes
- ↑ Its name originated from the Roc, a legendary (and mythical) bird that killed and consumed large animals such as fully grown elephants.
References
- ↑ Nijboer, Donald. Gunner - An illustrated history of World War II Aircraft turrets and gun positions. Airlife Publishing. 2001. ISBN 1-84037-304-0
- ↑ 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. Salamander Books. 1988. ISBN 0-86101-390-5 Pages 20-21
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 World Aircraft Information Files Aviation Partwork. Midsummer Books Ltd. File 890 Card 23 (A-Z of Aircraft: Blackburn B-9 to Blackburn B-25 Roc)
- ↑ Robertson, Bruce. British Military Aircraft Serials 1912-1966. Ian Allen Ltd. 1967 Page 109
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