Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the strategic bombers category.
01 / Overview
Short Stirling
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1940–1945
Quantity
2,371
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
STRATEGIC BOMBERS · WORLD WAR II
13
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
65
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the strategic bombers category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- First Flight1937
- Service Entry Year1940
- Crew7
- Primary RoleHeavy bomber and later transport / glider tug
- GenerationWorld War II era
- In ServiceNo
◈Powerplant10MOD.10
- Engine TypeRadial piston
- Engine ModelBristol Hercules XI / XVI
- Number of Engines4
- Thrust (dry, each)49
- Thrust (afterburner, each)0
- Thrust-to-Weight0.25
- AfterburnerNo
- SupercruiseNo
- Thrust VectoringNo
- Internal Fuel3,400 kg
▣Performance10MOD.10
- Top Speed398 km/h
- Top Speed (Mach)0.32 Mach
- Cruise Speed340 km/h
- Stall Speed140 km/h
- Service Ceiling6,100 m
- Ferry Range3,000 km
- Combat Radius800 km
- Rate of Climb5 m/s
- G-Limit2.5
- Takeoff Run500 m
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
- Length21 m
- Wingspan30.3 m
- Height5 m
- Wing Area115
- Empty Weight21,000 kg
- Loaded Weight28,000 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight29,500 kg
◆Armament8MOD.8
- Hardpoints3
- Weapons Payload6,350 kg
- Internal GunMultiple .303in machine guns in nose, mid and tail turrets
- Internal Weapons BayYes
- Air-to-Air MissilesNo
- Air-to-Ground MissilesNo
- Anti-Ship MissilesNo
- Nuclear CapableNo
▤Avionics & Stealth7MOD.7
⬢Production3MOD.3
- Total Built2,371
- Operators2
- Variants5
▲Service History4MOD.4
- Retirement Year1946
- Production Start1939
- Production End1945
- Operational StatusRetired
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1939First deployment: World War II
- 1940Production started
- 1945Production ended
86
years in service
5
years in production
2,371
units produced
4
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Operators
05 / MASS Score
STRATEGIC BOMBERS RANKING Strategic Bombers · World War II
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
75STRATEGIC BOMBERS13WORLD WAR II · STRATEGIC BOMBERS477UNITED KINGDOM · ALL WEAPONS63PERFORMANCE/PRICE · STRATEGIC BOMBERS
ⓘ Rankings are within theStrategic Bomberscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE1terms
An internal compartment within a military aircraft designed to store and deploy weapons, reducing radar cross-section and aerodynamic drag.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources