![]() Decisions by the Air Ministry on certain performance requirements (most significantly to restrict the wingspan of the aircraft to 100 feet or 30 metres) had played a role in limiting the Stirling's performance the 100 ft limit also affected earlier models of the Halifax (MkI and MkII) though the Lancaster never adhered to it. ![]() The Stirling had a relatively brief operational career as a bomber before being relegated to second-line duties from late 1943, due to the increasing availability of the more capable Handley Page Halifax and Avro Lancaster, which took over the strategic bombing of Germany. During its use as a bomber, pilots praised the type for its ability to out-turn enemy night fighters and its favourable handling characteristics, whereas the altitude ceiling was often a subject of criticism. In early 1941, the Stirling entered squadron service. When the preferred Type 317 had to be abandoned, the S.29, which later received the name Stirling, proceeded to production. Out of the submissions made to the specification, Supermarine proposed the Type 317, which was viewed as the favourite, whereas Short's submission, named the S.29, was selected as an alternative. ![]() Prior to this, the RAF had been primarily interested in developing increasingly capable twin-engined bombers, but had been persuaded to investigate a prospective four-engined bomber as a result of promising foreign developments in the field. The Stirling was designed during the late 1930s by Short Brothers to conform with the requirements laid out in Air Ministry Specification B.12/36. It has the distinction of being the first four-engined bomber to be introduced into service with the Royal Air Force (RAF). ![]() The Short Stirling was a British four-engined heavy bomber of the Second World War.
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