SARO LONDON 100 YEARS OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE
PATROLLERS AND AIRLIFTERS RAF CENTENARY CELEBRATION 25Above
London K5258 was
built in 1936 and
initially joined
the newly formed
228 Squadron
at Pembroke
Dock, alongside a
Supermarine Scapa
and two Short
Singapores. However,
in late 1936 it was
sent to Felixstowe
for trials and then
delivered to 201
Squadron at Calshot,
in February 1937.
The London suffered
from oil overheating
problems and
K5258 returned to
Felixstowe for further
trials, including the
addition of four-
bladed airscrews,
new oil tanks and
Vickers ‘U’ coolers.
However, the changes
were not successful
and the aircraft was
eventually returned
to squadron service.
ANDY HAY/WWW.
FLYINGART.CO.UKLeft
London Mk.1 K5262
was built in 1936
and delivered to 201
Squadron. It later
served with 202
and 204 Squadrons
before being struck
off charge in October
1940, after colliding
with Sunderland
N9028 when the
two aircraft were
incorrectly moored.
KEYType: Six-crew general reconnaissance fl ying boat
First fl ight: March 1934; entered RAF service 1936
Powerplant: Two 1,055hp (787kW) Bristol Pegasus X
Dimensions: Span 80ft (24.40m), length 56ft 9 1/2in (17m)
Weights: Empty 12,800lb (5,086kg), all-up 19,300lb (8,754kg)
Max speed: 155mph (249km/h) at 6,250ft (1,905m)
Range: 1,740 miles (2,800km)
Armament: Three Lewis guns in bows and midships. Bomb load: 2,000lb (907kg)
or equivalent depth charges
Replaced: Supermarine Southampton and Scapa
Taken on charge: 30 (10 Mk.I and 20 Mk.II)
Replaced by: Supermarine StranraerSARO LONDON MK.II
lower wings, and some were fitted
with dorsal fuel tanks to expand
their range.
In June 1940, 240 Squadron
converted to the Supermarine
Stranraer while other units
re-equipped with Sunderlands.
Some Londons were transferred
to the Royal Canadian Air Force,
but by the middle of 1941 all had
rescinded their frontline duties.
Following withdrawal from
operations, Londons were flown by
4 OTU at RAF Stranraer until the
last examples were finally struck off
in November 1942.
“...the aircraft toted up to 2,000lb (907kg) of armament beneath
their lower wings, and some were fi tted with dorsal fuel tanks to
expand their range.”