Time Period: World War I
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Type: Biplane, Reconnaissance and Surveillance, Bomber Aircraft
Manufacturer: Short Brothers
Short Bomber Aircraft Overview
The Short Bomber, also known as the Short Type 184, was a British biplane aircraft designed and built by the Short Brothers company during World War I. It was primarily used as a naval reconnaissance and torpedo bomber, but it was also used for general bombing missions.
The Short Bomber was a two-seat aircraft powered by a single Rolls-Royce 275 hp engine, which gave it a top speed of around 140 km/h (87 mph). It was armed with a single forward-firing Lewis machine gun operated by the pilot and a rear-mounted Lewis machine gun operated by the observer.
The aircraft’s most significant feature was its ability to carry a torpedo or bombs, making it an effective weapon against enemy ships. It could carry a 520-pound torpedo or up to 520 pounds of bombs.
The Short Bomber was used by the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Air Force during World War I. It saw action in a number of major naval engagements, including the Battle of Jutland in 1916. It also played a significant role in the bombing of the German Zeppelin sheds at Tondern in July 1918.
Overall, the Short Bomber was a successful aircraft design that helped to establish the role of naval aviation in warfare. It remained in service with the Royal Air Force until 1935, long after the end of World War I.
Short Bomber Specifications
- Crew: 2
- Length: 45 ft 0 in (13.72 m)
- Wingspan: 84 ft 0 in (25.60 m)
- Height: 15 ft 0 in (4.57 m)
- Wing area: 870 sq ft (81 m2)
- Empty weight: 5,000 lb (2,268 kg)
- Gross weight: 6,800 lb (3,084 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce Eagle water-cooled V12 engine, 250 hp (190 kW).
Short Bomber Performance
- Maximum speed: 77 mph (124 km/h, 67 kn) at 6,500 ft (1,980 m)
- Endurance: 6 hr
- Service ceiling: 10,600 ft (3,200 m) (absolute ceiling)
- Time to altitude: 45 min to 10,000 ft (3,050 m).
Short Bomber Armament
- Guns: 1× 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Lewis machine gun on Scarff ring.
- Bombs: 8x 112 lb (51 kg) bombs.
