The Blackburn Shark was a carrier-borne torpedo bomber designed and built by the British aviation manufacturer Blackburn Aircraft. It was originally known as the Blackburn T.S.R., standing for "torpedo-spotter-reconnaissance", in reference to its intended roles. The Shark was the last of Blackburn's biplane torpedo bombers. Despite this, numerous aircraft continued to be operated during the Second World War, largely being confined to secondary roles away from the front lines, such as training and target tug duties. Despite this, Sharks were repeatedly deployed in frontline roles during events such as the Dunkirk Evacuation and the Japanese invasion of British Malaya. During 1945, the final Sharks were withdrawn from service.
Design and development
Background
The Blackburn T.9 Shark has its origins within the early 1930s as a private venture by the company.
The T.S.R. represented a substantial departure from Blackburn's previous naval aircraft designs, as the design team had opted to eliminate almost all use of streamlined bracing wires in favour of slanted struts.
Initially, the design of the T.S.R featured open cockpits, which were heated by an exhaust pipe muff. The majority of the flying surfaces had fabric coverings; the wing tips were detachable as to allow their easy replacement if damaged. The main fuel tanks were not integral to the structure; instead, two detachable tanks composed of duralumin were carried in separate watertight compartments forward of the pilot, housing up to 182.5 gallons of fuel. The aircraft had a range of 623 miles normally, but this could be extended to 1,130 miles via the use of a cylindrical tank, attached to the torpedo crutches, that was capable of holding up to 150 gallons of additional fuel. Following the completion of manufacturer trials, during which the engine was enclosed in a long-chord cowling, this prototype was delivered to the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE) at RAF Martlesham Heath for an official performance evaluation on 26 November 1933.
Blackburn was issued contract No. 334315/34 in conjunction with the new Specification 13/35. I, along with the additional contract No. 510994/35 to Specification 19/36, which was issued in January 1937. Even more contracts soon followed, leading to the rate of production exceeding that of numerous preceding Blackburn aircraft. During a three-year production run, a total of 238 Sharks were delivered to the FAA, comprising 16 Mk I (Tiger IV), 126 Mk II ( Tiger VI) and 95 Mk III ( Tiger VI).
Operational history
Fleet Air Arm
thumb|right|Fleet Air Arm Blackburn Shark in company with a Westland Wapiti, seen flying over
During May 1935, the Shark entered service with 820 Naval Air Squadron, replacing its Fairey Seals, aboard HMS Courageous. During the following year, it also equipping an additional two squadrons, 810 and 821.
Frontline operations involving the Shark were curtailed after only a relatively short timespan, as the type had started to be replaced by the more capable Fairey Swordfish as early as 1937. However, its value in secondary roles meant that it continued to be operated for numerous years beyond this point; a considerable number of Shark IIs were operated by the B and C training flights at Lee-on-Solent. 20 Sharks were converted by Blackburn into target tugs and saw use at units in Abbotsinch, Gosport, Crail, and Arbroath to help train pilots, starting in 1939. On 4 January 1939, two Sharks were taken up by No. 4 Anti-Aircraft Co-Operation Unit in Seletar, Singapore.
During the Dunkirk evacuation conducted between 26 May and 4 June 1940, numerous Sharks flew across the English Channel to spot and illuminate Kriegsmarine E-boats using flares, they were otherwise unarmed; these operations were hindered and eventually stopped by poor weather conditions. Widespread use of the Shark III for the training of aerial observers and navigators proceeded as far afield as Trinidad; its use in this role continued to as late as 1942.
Numerous Sharks would eventually be based at RAF Seletar as target tugs. During January 1942, the type was used to conduct patrol missions and even bombing raids against units of the Imperial Japanese Army as it advanced into Malaya. On 22 October 193, a long distance non-stop flight was conducted by a Portuguese Shark between Bom Succeso and RAF Calshot, carrying a diplomatic dispatch to London and returning six days later.
During 1936, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) purchased seven Blackburn Shark II ( Tiger VI), the first four of which were shipped in September of that year.
The Canadian-built aircraft were powered by Pegasus IX engines and were supplied to Nos 4 and 6 (BR) Squadrons. However, even before quantity manufacturing had been established, it was recognised that the Shark was obsolete and unable to fulfil Canada's requirements. Nevertheless, the aircraft produced were deployed for naval reconnaissance and escorting friendly shipping near Canada. The last of the RCAF's Sharks, some of which were operated as floatplanes, were withdrawn in August 1944, after which five aircraft were transferred to the RN Air Observers' School in Trinidad.
Variants
- B-3 : Torpedo-bomber prototype.
- B-6 : Shark prototype.
- Shark Mk I : Two- or three-seat torpedo bomber, reconnaissance aircraft for the Royal Navy. Powered by a 700 hp (500 kW) Armstrong Siddeley Tiger IV radial piston engine.
- Shark Mk II : Two- or three-seat torpedo bomber, reconnaissance aircraft for the Royal Navy and RCAF. Powered by a 760 hp (570 kW) Armstrong Siddeley Tiger VI radial piston engine.
- Shark Mk IIA : Two- or three-seat torpedo bomber, reconnaissance floatplanes for the Portuguese Navy. Powered by a 760 hp (570 kW) Armstrong Siddeley Tiger VIC radial piston engine. Six built.
- Shark Mk III : Two- or three-seat torpedo bomber, reconnaissance aircraft for the Royal Navy. Fitted with a glazed canopy and dual controls for crew training. Powered by an 800 hp (600 kW) Bristol Pegasus III radial piston engine.
Operators
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- Royal Canadian Air Force
- No. 4 Squadron RCAF
- No. 6 Squadron RCAF
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General characteristics
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|wing area sqft= 489
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|empty weight lb= 4,039
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|gross weight lb= 8,111
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Powerplant
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|eng1 name= Armstrong Siddeley Tiger VI
|eng1 type= 14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine
|eng1 hp= 760
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|prop blade number= 2
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Performance
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|max speed mph= 150
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|cruise speed mph= 118
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|range miles= 625
|range note=
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|ferry range miles=
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|endurance= four hours and 54 minutes
|ceiling ft= 15,600
|ceiling note=
|climb rate ftmin= 895
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|time to altitude= in 7 minutes 6 seconds
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|wing loading lb/sqft= 16.6
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Armament
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|guns= 1 × fixed forward firing .303 in (7.7 mm) Vickers machine gun and one flexible 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Vickers K machine gun or Lewis gun.
|bombs= 1 × Mark VIII torpedo, 1 × Mark X torpedo or bombs.