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| A Saro London II flying boat of No. 204 Squadron RAF shown fitted with the dorsal fuel tank, 1930s. |
The Saunders Roe A.27 London was a British military biplane flying boat built by the Saunders Roe company. Only 31 were built, entering service with the Royal Air Force in 1936. Although due for replacement by the outbreak of World War II, they saw some active service pending the introduction of the ultimately unsuccessful Lerwick.
The A.27 London was designed in response to the Air Ministry Specification R.24/31 issued for a "General Purpose Open Sea Patrol Flying Boat" and was based on the Saro A.7 Severn. The London and its contemporary, the Supermarine Stranraer, were the last multi-engine, biplane flying-boats to see service with the RAF. The design utilized an all-metal corrugated hull and fabric-covered wing and tail surfaces, with two Bristol Pegasus II radial engines, mounted on the upper wing to keep them clear of spray while taking off and landing.
The first prototype flew in 1934 and then went on to serve until 1936 with 209 and 210 Squadrons RAF at RAF Felixstowe and Gibraltar respectively.
The first deliveries of production aircraft began in March 1936 with Pegasus III engines, and from the eleventh aircraft onwards the Pegasus X engine was fitted instead and the aircraft's designation changed to London Mk.II. Earlier Londons were retrofitted with the Pegasus X and were also given the "Mk.II" designation. This model equipped 201 Squadron RAF at RAF Calshot, replacing Supermarine Southamptons. Others were delivered in October of the same year to 204 Squadron RAF at RAF Mount Batten, Plymouth, also replacing Southamptons. More were delivered to the same squadron the following year to replace Blackburn Perths, and to 202 Squadron RAF at Kalafrana, Malta, replacing Supermarine Scapas, and 228 Squadron RAF at Pembroke Dock.
In 1937-1938 204 Squadron RAF used five Londons equipped with auxiliary external fuel tanks for a long-distance training flight to Australia to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Colony at Sydney, New South Wales. In this configuration they had a range of 2,600 miles (4,180 km).
By the outbreak of World War II in September 1939, Londons equipped 201 Squadron RAF which was by now stationed at Sullom Voe in Shetland, and 202 Squadron RAF at Gibraltar. 240 Squadron RAF at Invergordon had also re-equipped with Londons in July 1939.
These aircraft carried out active patrols over the North Sea and the Mediterranean. Some were fitted with a dorsal fuel tank to increase operational radius. Armaments in the form of bombs, depth charges and mines up to a total weight of 2,000 lb (907 kg) could be carried beneath the lower wings. Gradually, the Londons' duties were assumed by newer aircraft such as the Lockheed Hudson while squadrons flying Atlantic and Mediterranean patrols were re-equipped with Short Sunderlands. Some were transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force. All were withdrawn from front-line duties by the middle of 1941.
Variants
Prototype: One only.
London Mk.I: 10 built with two 820 hp Pegasus III engines and two-bladed propellers. Later converted to Mk II.
London Mk.II: 20 built with two 915 hp Pegasus X engines and four-bladed propellers.
Role: Reconnaissance flying-boat
Manufacturer: Saunders-Roe Ltd
First flight: March, 1934
Introduction: 1936
Retired: 1941
Primary users:
Royal Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
Produced: 1934 - 1938
Number built: 31
Developed from: Saro A.7 Severn
Crew: Six
Length: 56 ft 6 in (17.23 m)
Wingspan: 80 ft 0 in (24.39 m)
Height: 18 ft 9 in (5.72 m)
Wing area: 1,425 ft² (132.4 m²)
Empty weight: 11,100 lb (5,045 kg)
Loaded weight: 18,400 lb (8,364 kg)
Maximum takeoff weight: 22,000 lb (10,000 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × Bristol Pegasus X 9-cylinder air-cooled radial engines, 915 hp (682 kW) each
Maximum speed: 135 knots (155 mph, 250 km/h) at 6,560 ft (2,000 m)
Cruise speed: 111 knots (128 mph, 206 km/h) at 13,120 ft (4,000 m) (60% power)
Range: 956 nmi (1,100 mi, 1,770 km)
Ferry range: 1,510 nm (1,740 mi, 2,800 km) with auxiliary fuel tank over fuselage
Service ceiling: 19,900 ft (6,067 m)
Rate of climb: 1,180 ft/min (6.0 m/s)
Armament:
3 × Lewis guns
2,000 lb (900 kg) of bombs, mines or depth charges
Operators
Canada: Royal Canadian Air Force
United Kingdom: Royal Air Force
No. 201 Squadron RAF (Apr 1936 - Apr 1940)
No. 202 Squadron RAF (Sep 1937 - Jun 1941)
No. 204 Squadron RAF (Oct 1936 - Jul 1939)
No. 209 Squadron RAF (Oct 1934 - Feb 1936)
No. 210 Squadron RAF (Oct 1935 - Nov 1935)
No. 228 Squadron RAF (Feb 1937 - Sep 1938)
No. 240 Squadron RAF (Jul 1939 - Jul 1940
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| Saro London, 1930s. |
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| Prototype Saro London, K3560, 1930s. |
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| Saro Londons under construction, 1930s. |
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| Another view of Saro Londons under construction, 1930s. |
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| Saro London advertisement. |
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| Saro London advertisement. |
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| Saro London, Z, 1930s. |
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| Saro Londons, Z, W, U, 1930s. |
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| Saro London, 1930s. |
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| Saro London, 1930s. |
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| Saro London, 1930s. |
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| Saro London, 1930s. |
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| Saro London, 1930s. |
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| Saro London, Y, 1930s. |
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| Saro London, 1930s. |
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| Saro London being brought ashore on its beaching gear, 1930s. |
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| Saro London, 1930s. |
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| Saro London, K6928, minus its engines, 1930s. |
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| Another view of Saro London, K6928, missing its engines, 1930s. |
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| London Mark II, K5910,‘BN-L, of No. 240 Squadron RAF based at Sullom Voe, Shetland Islands, in flight over the North Sea during the war. |
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| A convoy in northern waters, seen from a No. 240 Squadron Saro London, late 1939. |