Short Sunderland
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Sunderland
Role: Military flying boat bomber
Manufacturer: Short Brothers
First flight: 16 October 1937
Introduction: 1938
Retired: RAF:1959; RNZAF:1967
PrimaryÊusers: Royal Air Force, French Navy, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force
Produced: 1938 - 1946
Number built: 777
Variants: Short Sandringham, Short Seaford
The Short S.25 Sunderland was a British flying boat patrol bomber developed for the Royal Air Force (RAF) by Short Brothers. It took its service name from the town (latterly, city) and port of Sunderland in northeast England. Based in part upon the S.23 Empire flying boat, the flagship of Imperial Airways, the S.25 was extensively re-engineered for military service. It was one of the most powerful and widely used flying boats throughout the Second World War, and was involved in countering the threat posed by German U-boats in the Battle of the Atlantic. RAF Sunderlands also saw service throughout the Korean War and continued in service until 1959. Sunderlands remained in service with the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) until 1967. Sunderlands converted for civil use, known as Short Sandringhams, continued in airline operation until 1974. A single airworthy example remains on display in Florida.
