The figures in these tables are no more than a general guide to the characteristics and capabilities of each type of aircraft. The performance is affected the climate, the skill of the pilot, the accuracy of navigation, and by the uncertainties of flying in the presence of the enemy. For these reasons a safety margin has to be imposed, so the operational range—not to be confused with the radius of action—is always much less than the still air range. Broadly speaking, after allowing for the running of the engines on the ground and for the climb to the height quoted, the still air range is the distance that can be flown in still air until the tanks are empty.
NOTES:
(i) The most economical cruising speed is the speed at which the greatest range is achieved. (ii) The height given in column IV is the optimum height for the maximum speed.
FIGHTER AIRCRAFT
BRITISH
I |
II |
III |
IV |
V |
VI |
|
Aircraft |
Fuel and Still |
Most Economical |
Maximum Speed in |
Armament |
Remarks |
|
|
Galls. |
Miles |
|
|
|
|
Beaufighter |
550 |
1,515 |
226 at 15,000 ft. |
324 at 11,750 ft. |
6 x .303 |
|
Blenheim Mk. IVF |
466 |
1,615 |
170 at 15,000 ft. |
266 at 11,800 ft. |
7 x .303 |
|
Fulmar |
155 |
820 |
170 at 10,000 ft. |
253 at 10,000 ft. |
8 x .303 |
Fleet Air Arm. |
FIGHTER AIRCRAFT
BRITISH
Aircraft |
Fuel and Still |
Most Economical |
Maximum Speed in |
Armament |
Remarks |
|
|
Galls. |
Miles |
|
|
|
|
Fury |
50 |
440 |
127 at 15,000 ft. |
205 at 15,000 ft. |
2 x .303 |
|
Gauntlet |
79 |
626 |
118 at 15,000 ft. |
225 at 15,000 ft. |
2 x .303 |
|
Gladiator |
83 |
523 |
142 at 15,000 ft. |
245 at 15,000 ft. |
4 x .303 |
|
Hurricane Mk. I |
97 |
600 |
180 at 15,000 ft. |
316 at 17,750 ft. |
8 x .303 |
|
Hurricane Mk. II |
97 |
480 |
200 at 15,000 ft. |
342 at 22,000 ft. |
or 4 x 20 mm |
(a) with two extra tanks |
Martlet III (Wildcat) |
136 |
1,150 |
166 at 15,000 ft. |
330 at 19,500 ft. |
4 or 6 x 0.5 |
Fleet Air Arm |
Tomahawk |
132 |
695 |
185 at 15,000 ft. |
340 at 16,000 ft. |
2 x .50 |
American design and manufacture. |
BOMBER AIRCRAFT
(including bomber transport and bomber reconnaissance)
BRITISH
Aircraft |
Still Air Range |
Most Economical |
Maximum Speed in |
Armament |
Remarks |
|
|
Miles |
Bombload |
|
|
|
|
Albacore |
521 |
1 Torpedo |
105 at 6,000 ft. |
163 at 4,800 ft. |
2 x .303 |
Fleet Air Arm. Figures relate to |
Anson |
660 |
200 lb |
158 at 6,000 ft. |
188 at 7,000 ft. |
2 x .303 |
|
Audax |
470 |
80 lb |
138 at 3,000 ft. |
168 at 5,000 ft. |
2 x .303 |
|
Battle |
1,050 |
1,000 lb |
148 at 15,000 ft. |
241 at 13,000 ft. |
2 x .303 |
|
Blenheim Mk. I |
920 |
1,000 lb |
165 at 15,000 ft. |
265 at 15,000 ft. |
2 x .303 |
|
Blenheim Mk. IV |
1,460 |
1,000 lb |
180 at 15,000 ft. |
266 at 11,800 ft. |
5/6 x .303 |
|
BOMBER AIRCRAFT
(including bomber transport and bomber reconnaissance)
BRITISH
Aircraft |
Still Air Range |
Most Economical |
Maximum Speed in |
Armament |
Remarks |
|
|
Miles |
Bombload |
|
|
|
|
Bombay |
1,500 330 |
(a) |
120 at 10,000 ft. |
159 at 10,000 ft. |
2 x .303 |
Transport aircraft |
Gordon |
550 |
500 lb |
115 at 5,000 ft. |
137 at 5,000 ft. |
2 x .303 |
|
Hardy |
477 |
500 lb |
115 at 10,000 ft. |
156 at 10,000 ft. |
2 x .303 |
|
Hartbeest |
450 |
568 lb |
110 at 11,000 ft. |
145 at 11,000 ft. |
3 x .303 |
|
Ju.86 |
700 |
1,160 lb |
120 at 8,000 ft. |
140 at 6,000 ft. |
6 x .303 |
Figures given are for East African |
Lysander |
1,410 |
500 lb |
123 at 10,000 ft. |
212 at 4,500 ft. |
4 x .303 |
|
BOMBER AIRCRAFT
(including bomber transport and bomber reconnaissance)
BRITISH
Aircraft |
Still Air Range |
Most Economical |
Maximum Speed in |
Armament |
Remarks |
|
|
Miles |
Bombload |
|
|
|
|
Maryland |
1,210 |
1,500 lb |
176 at 15,000 ft. |
278 at 11,800 ft. |
8 x .303 |
American design and manufac- |
Oxford |
500 |
160 lb |
166 at 5,000 ft. |
190 at 10,000 ft. |
2 x .303 |
|
Seafox |
440 |
200 lb. |
106 at 5,860 ft. |
124 at 5,860 ft. |
1 x .303 |
Fleet Air Arm. |
Skua |
980 |
500 lb |
157 at 15,000 ft. |
212 at 15,000 ft. |
5 x .303 |
Fleet Air Arm fighter dive- |
Sunderland Flying-Boat Mk.I |
1,850 |
1,900 lb |
142 at 5,000 ft. |
188 at 6,500 ft. |
7 x .303 |
|
Swordfish |
528 |
1,500 lb |
103 at 5,000 ft. |
139 at 5,000 ft. |
2 x .303 |
Fleet Air Arm torpedo-bomber. |
BOMBER AIRCRAFT
(including bomber transport and bomber reconnaissance)
BRITISH
Aircraft |
Still Air Range |
Most Economical |
Maximum Speed in |
Armament |
Remarks |
|
|
Miles |
Bombload |
|
|
|
|
Valentia |
367 |
(a) |
104 at 6,500 ft. |
111 at 6,500 ft. |
None |
Transport aircraft. |
Vincent |
726 |
500 lb |
95 at 10,000 ft. |
141 at 10,000 ft. |
2 x .303 |
|
Walrus |
600 |
or 2 depth charges |
95 at 3,500 ft. |
135 at 4,750 ft. |
1 x .303 |
Fleet Air Arm. |
Wellesley |
2,250 |
1,060 lb |
133 at 15,000 ft. |
206 at 15,000 ft. |
2 x .303 |
|
Wellington Mk.I |
2,550 |
1,000 lb |
165 at 10,000 ft. |
225 at 4,700 ft. |
6 x .303 |
|
Wellington Mk.II |
2,450 |
1,250 lb |
175 at 15,000 ft. |
245 at 7,000 ft. |
6 x .303 |
|
FIGHTER AIRCRAFT
ITALIAN
Aircraft
Fuel and Still
Air Range at Most
Economical
Cruising SpeedMost Economical
Cruising Speed in
Miles Per HourMaximum Speed in
Miles Per HourArmament
Remarks
Galls.
Miles
C.R.32
Single engine biplane
Crew 180
790
130 at 10,000 ft.
233 at 10,000 ft.
2 x 12.7 mm
C.R.42
Single engine biplane
Crew 177
535
150 at 13,100 ft.
270 at 13,100 ft.
2 x 12.7 mm
G.50
Single engine monoplane
Crew 169
530
170 at 14,500 ft.
300 at 14,500 ft.
2 x 12.7 mm
M.C.200
Single engine monoplane
Crew 170
570
170 at 15,000 ft.
310 at 15,000 ft.
2 x 12.7 mm
M.C.202
Single engine monoplane
Crew 196
445
190 at 18,000 ft.
345 at 18,000 ft.
2 x 12.7 mm
Re.2000
Single engine monoplane
Crew 1146
1,125
175 at 15,000 ft.
320 at 15,000 ft.
2 x 12.7 mm
Re.2001
Single engine monoplane
Crew 1146
900
190 at 18,000 ft.
345 at 18,000 ft.
2 x 12.7 mm
2 x 7.7 mm
FIGHTER AIRCRAFT
GERMAN
Aircraft
Fuel and Still
Air Range at Most
Economical
Cruising SpeedMost Economical
Cruising Speed in
Miles Per HourMaximum Speed in
Miles Per HourArmament
Remarks
Galls.
Miles
Ar.196
Single engine monoplane
Crew 2132
600
120 at 6,000 ft.
195 at sea level
3 x 7.9 mm
2 x 20 mmUsed mainly for naval reconnais-
sance. Could carry 220 lb of bombsMe.109 E
Single engine monoplane
Crew 188
655
200 at 16,500 ft.
355 at 18,000 ft.
2 x 7.9 mm
2 x 20 mm
Me.109 F
Single engine monoplane
Crew 188
650
200 at 17,000 ft.
395 at 22,000 ft.
2 x 7.9 mm
3 x 20 mm
Me.110
Twin engine monoplane
Crew 2280
930
200 at 18,000 ft.
360 at 20,000 ft.
6 x 7.9 mm
2 x 20 mm
FIGHTER AIRCRAFT
VICHY FRENCH (in Syria)
Aircraft
Fuel and Still
Air Range at
Cruising SpeedCruising Speed in
Miles Per HourMaximum Speed
in Miles Per HourArmament
Remarks
Galls.
Miles
Dewoitine 520
Single engine monoplane
Crew 1140
625
310 at 13,000 ft.
330 at 13,000 ft.
1 x 20 mm
4 x 7.5 mm
Morane 406
Single engine monoplane
Crew 188
500
275 at 13,000 ft.
303 at 13,000 ft.
1 x 20 mm
2 or 4 x
7.5 mm
Potez 63
Twin-engine monoplane
Crew 3175
625
250 at 13,000 ft.
280 at 13,000 ft.
2 x 20 mm
6 x 7.5 mmNight fighter.
NOTE: The cruising speed given for the French aircraft is normal, not most economical.
FIGHTER AIRCRAFT
IRAQI
Aircraft
Fuel and Still
Air Range at Most
Economical
Cruising SpeedMost Economical
Cruising Speed in
Miles Per HourMaximum Speed in
Miles Per HourArmament
Remarks
Galls.
Miles
Gladiator
Single engine biplane
Crew 183
523
142 at 15,000 ft.
245 at 15,000 ft.
4 x .303
BOMBER AIRCRAFT
(including bomber transport and bomber reconnaissance)
ITALIAN
Aircraft |
Still Air Range |
Most Economical |
Maximum Speed in |
Armament |
Remarks |
|
|
Miles |
Bombload |
|
|
|
|
B.R. 20 |
1,350 |
2,200 lb |
175 at 13,000 ft. |
255 at 13,500 ft. |
1 x 12.7 mm |
|
Ca. 311 |
1,315 |
880 lb |
120 at 13,000 ft. |
260 at 13,000 ft. |
4 x 7.7 mm |
|
Cant. Z. 501 |
2,450 |
1,100 lb |
85 at sea level |
152 at sea level |
4 x 7.7 mm |
|
Cant. Z. 506 |
1,130 |
1,750 lb |
140 at 13,000 ft. |
230 at 13,000 ft. |
1 x 12.7 mm |
|
Cant. Z. 1007b |
1,650 |
1,100 lb |
160 at 15,000 ft. |
280 at 15,000 ft. |
2 x 12.7 mm |
|
Ghibli |
530 |
740 lb |
100 at 3,000 ft. |
158 at sea level |
3 x 7.7 mm |
Reconnaissance and light bomb- |
BOMBER AIRCRAFT
(including bomber transport and bomber reconnaissance)
ITALIAN
Aircraft |
Still Air Range |
Most Economical |
Maximum Speed in |
Armament |
Remarks |
|
|
Miles |
Bombload |
|
|
|
|
Ju.87 |
360 |
1,100 lb |
160 at 15,000 ft. |
245 at 15,000 ft. |
3 x 7.9 mm |
Dive-bomber. |
Ro.37 |
1,100 |
400 lb |
120 at 14,000 ft. |
200 at 14,000 ft. |
2 x 12.7 mm |
|
S.79 |
1,190 |
2,750 lb |
155 at 13,000 ft. |
255 at 13,000 ft. |
3 x 12.7 mm |
Used, when modified, as a torpedo |
S.81 |
1,030 |
2,200 lb |
130 at 15,000 ft. |
210 at 15,000 ft. |
6 x 7.7 mm |
|
S.84 |
1,360 |
1,760 lb |
170 at 15,000 ft. |
280 at 15,000 ft. |
4 x 12.7 mm |
|
BOMBER AIRCRAFT
(including bomber transport and bomber reconnaissance)
GERMAN
Aircraft |
Still Air Range |
Most Economical |
Maximum Speed in |
Armament |
Remarks |
|
|
Miles |
Bombload |
|
|
|
|
F.W.200 |
2,150 |
3,600 lb |
165 at 16,000 ft. |
240 at 13,000 ft. |
3 x 13 mm |
Long range reconnaisance air- |
He.111 |
1,510 |
2,200 lb |
180 at 17,000 ft. |
240 at 14,000 ft. |
7 x 7.9 mm |
|
Ju.52 |
530-790 |
Nil |
132 at sea level |
165 at sea level |
5 x 7.9 mm |
Transport aircraft |
Ju.87 |
360 |
1,100 lb |
160 at 15,000 ft. |
245 at 15,000 ft. |
3 x 7.9 mm |
Dive-bomber (Stuka) |
Ju.88 |
1,310 |
2,200 lb |
194 at 16,400 ft. |
295 at 14,000 ft. |
7 x 7.9 mm |
|
BOMBER AIRCRAFT
(including bomber transport and bomber reconnaissance)
VICHY FRENCH (in Syria)
Aircraft |
Still Air Range |
Cruising Speed in |
Maximum Speed in |
Armament |
Remarks |
|
|
Miles |
Bombload |
|
|
|
|
Bloch 200 |
1,055 |
4,400 lb |
155 at 13,000 ft. |
165 at 13,000 ft. |
5 x 7.5 mm |
|
Dewoitine 338 |
965 |
1,430 lb |
175 |
195 |
Nil |
Transport aircraft. Could carry 22 |
Farman 222 |
1,120 |
8,800 lb |
175 at 13,000 ft. |
190 at 13,000 ft. |
3 x 7.5 mm |
|
Leo 45 |
1,370 |
3,080 lb |
260 at 13,000 ft. |
310 at 13,000 ft. |
1 x 20 mm |
|
Loire 130 |
500 |
330 lb |
100 at 13,000 ft. |
155 at 13,000 ft. |
2 x 7.5 mm |
|
Maryland |
1,210 |
1,500 lb |
176 at 15,000 ft. |
278 at 11,800 ft. |
8 x .303 |
American design and manufac- |
Potez 65 |
870 |
(a) |
155 at 13,000 ft. |
180 at 13,000 ft. |
Nil |
Transport aircraft |
NOTE: The cruising speed given for the French aircraft, except the Maryland, is normal, not most economical. |
BOMBER AIRCRAFT
(including bomber transport and bomber reconnaissance)
IRAQI
Aircraft |
Still Air Range |
Most Economical |
Maximum Speed in |
Armament |
Remarks |
|
|
Miles |
Bombload |
|
|
|
|
Audax |
470 |
80 lb |
138 at 3,000 ft. |
168 at 5,000 ft. |
2 x .303 |
|
Ba.65 |
590 |
880 lb |
160 at 13,500 ft. |
255 at 16,400 ft. |
2 x 12.7 |
Italian ground attack aircraft. |
Dragon |
500 |
— |
110 at 1,000 ft. |
128 at sea level |
— |
Designed in U.K. for transport. |
Dragonfly |
600 |
— |
125 at 1,000 ft. |
147 at sea level |
— |
Designed in U.K. for transport. |
Moth |
300 |
100 lb |
94 at 1,000 ft. |
110 at sea level |
— |
Designed in U.K. as a trainer. |
Northrop 8A |
910 |
1,800 lb |
200 at 10,000 ft. |
255 at 9,000 ft. |
5 x .30 |
Fighter bomber. American manu- |
S.79 |
1,190 |
2,750 lb |
155 at 13,000 ft. |
255 at 13,000 ft. |
3 x 12.7 |
Italian. |
Vincent |
726 |
500 lb |
95 at 10,000 ft. |
141 at 10,000 ft. |
2 x .303 |
|
Contents
Appendix V * Appendix VII