I thought it was OK, but desperately thin. An hour of material dragged out over two.

Moggy

Yes, but there was a 2 second clip of a Stirling – that clinched it for me 😉

Not that I know,

But according to Paul McMillan Google is your friend 😉

Cees

My friend says:

this

DS

They could very well have requested it in, say 1942, and only got it in ’45.

For instance – The Russians ‘acquired’ a Walrus in abandoned by the RN in Murmansk after one of the Arctic Convoys. They requested a replacement engine, which was delivered via India and the middle east (& lost) and in 1946 – 47 they were ‘sold’ (at nominal value) the thoroughly obsolete and probably destroyed aircraft to keep the bureaucrats in the UK happy. :rolleyes:

And there was little chance that the RAF could spare a Lancaster or Halifax that still had any usefull operational time left. Whereas the poor old Stirling, well they could n’t – as it turned out – even give them away.

DS

Google-time……

ORB names it as Stirling III, LK615. It left Melton Mobray on 27/2/45 following an inspection by a Russian delegation.

The Air-Britain Stirling File records the aircraft’s destination as Shaibah via Russia, but there is nothing in the ORB to support this. All references there refer to a flight to Russia and nothing more.

Best wishes
Steve P

OK, a quick Google revealed:

http://www.sudden-strike.ru/modules.php?name=Pages&go=page&pid=672

which, when run through Babelfish gave an amusing but interesting account, the relevant bits being:

“Evaluating bomber “Sterling”, the majority of aviation specialists speaks about the disappointment, which accompanied entire difficult way of this aircraft. Nevertheless, “Sterlings” fought war entire war, and their test had a significant effect for the development of British and world aviation.

The only aircraft, officially transmitted to foreign customer, obtained the Soviet Union. One copy of “Sterling” our inquired for the study in 1944- m. since in England the aircraft already it disappeared from the scene, it sufficiently willingly they agreed to grant. During November 1944- GO the command of royal VVS published order about selection and training of one “Sterling” OF III for the sending into Russia. It was assumed that the machine will be ready to distillation in the middle of December. It was intended to transport directly the most necessary spare parts in the aircraft, and in addition to this, by the sea through the north was sent container with all necessary for three months of operation. In particular, they sent motor oil – Soviet for “Hercules” it did not befit at all or it required the addition of imported additives. For English crew it was in prospect to outdistance bomber into Abadan or Teheran for the delivery to Soviet pilots.

For the sending selected “Sterling” III with number LK615, taken VVS in plant “Austin motorz” during July 1944- GO. It for a while find in the reserve. So that aircraft was almost new, not worn. Nevertheless, preparation tightened itself. Possibly, they equipped machine for the flights in the hot climate. From the English air base Of molton “Sterling” it flew away only during February 1945- GO. After two days, during March, it arrived in Shuaybu (Iraq). Again they there verified it and English identification marks were replaced with the Red Stars. The crew of Lieutenant dzh.Ueber outdistanced “Sterling” to the airfield Of mekhrabad near Teheran, where English aircraft rested. Our asked Englishmen to fly over to the adjacent Soviet airfield.

But troubles further began. They first revealed that the radio station was defective. Then with the taxiing they damaged tailed wheel. And finally at rest casing of one of the basic wheels broke, in this case it tore away folds of one of the wing bomb bays. To accept “Sterling” in this form Soviet side refused and Englishmen again chased it to the repair into Iraq, only to another base. Repair occurred until 30 April, so that the official inspection of aircraft occurred only during May. “Sterling” they delivered to the airfield OF LEAHS NKAP into Kratovo. There on it flew the crew Of g.M.Shiyanova. As bomber English aircraft no longer presented any value. They recognized machine as that become obsolete, and its data – low. The separate design and technological receptions of British aircraft constructors more interested our specialists. When tests were completed, came up the question: what to make with the aircraft. But aspirant was located – the administration of polar aviation To glavsevmorputi (UPA GUSMP). The aircraft pool of polar aviation in the years of the war fairly of podsokratilsya became obsolete. After the end of war shooting there was poured much captured technology, to it was added “Sterling”.

English aircraft entered into the Moscow air group UPA in spring 1946- GO. Group then was based on airfield Zakharkovo in Khimkakh. During May on “Sterling” (in his our documents was called “sterling”, and “sherling”, and simply “Shortt”) completed several check flights (in all they flew 2 h. 40 min.). Machine obtained the number OF THE “USSR N -415”. However, aircraft unambiguously was evaluated as become obsolete, and its applicability to the operation in the Arctic caused large doubts. Nevertheless, on 1947-1 they planned “Sterling’s modification” at the plant in Krasnoyarsk. But actually aircraft there did not act. It continued to be located into Zakharkovo, moreover it did not rise into air. From April it counted by defective. Machine was not restored also they copied between October and December 1947- GO. So that “our” “Sterling” temporarily survived his English fellows. “

There is no specific source of reference for the fate of the Russian Stirling, but the article quotes:

Wings of the native land. Vladimir Kotelnikov. Not justified the expectations
Wings of the native land. Vladimir kornilov. Four-engine “Disappointment”

These would be interesting to see!

So, was it a ‘temporary’ survival or does LK615 still exist in a Russian airbase…… :confused:

DS

Crickey, what a large step ladder.

DS

Typical. I was going to drop in on Friday…now I have to go in tomorrow as well 😉

DS

I recall reading a story about a crew that were picked up by a ?Danish fishing boat, but the Gestapo were waiting for them on the quayside. Was he a POW or did he make it home?

DS

It would be a real shame if they put it away before Legends – friday to be precise, when I will be there!

DS