F.4/37: Since 1935 developments in pressure cabins were beginning to formulate plans for high-altitude bombers that would be immune to interception. Although the Air Staff did not formulate any specification for such a bomber, nor for a fighter to combat such bombers, when General Aircraft began work on a modified Monospar airliner with a pressure cabin the Air Staff took note and in early 1937 released Spec F.4/37 for a high-altitude fighter for use up to 45,000ft (cockpit to maintain 25,000ft conditions), top speed no less than 400mph and armed with four 20mm cannon. Pressurization research and experimental work and construction is required and research is an important consideration in all of the bids.
Contenders are;
General Aircraft GAL.46, undertaking research since 1936 GA feels a need for both high-altitude bombers and fighters as aerial defences continues to improve. Thus the two-seat GAL.46 is designed as a fighter, bomber and photo-reconnaissance aircraft using the same basic fuselage, novel features include tricycle undercarriage, composite steel and wooden construction, pressure cabin and new de-icing systems. Two RR Merlin V would be fitted by GA wants more research into either multi-stage blowers or exhaust turbo-blowers to increase power and speed. Armament is four 20mm cannon in the wing roots and a bomb bay can carry four 500lb bombs. Ceiling is estimated at 37,200 feet (as bomber 29,800ft) with a top speed of 395mph at 20,800 feet, rate of climb is estimated at 2,940ft/min at sea level. As a reconnaissance aircraft it would cruise at 35,000 feet and have a range of 2,500 miles.
Hawker P.1004, Sidney Camm has designed a two-seat fighter which is basically an enlarged Typhoon. The two crew sit back-to-back, changes include the pressure cabin, a direct mainplane attachment to the fuselage and 238 gallons of fuel. Armament is six wing-mounted 20mm cannon and the engine chosen is a Napier Sabre. Ceiling is estimated at 37,000 feet with a top speed of 380mph at 18,500 feet, rate of climb is estimated at 2,250ft/min at sea level.
Vickers 432, Rex Pierson has designed a conventional twin Merlin powered fighter armed with four 20mm cannon in the nose. The fuselage is of circular cross-section to enable easy pressurisation and stressed-skin construction is used throughout the fuselage. Estimated top speed is 380mph at 15,000 feet although 450-500mph might be reached in a dive.
Westland P.14, based on the P.9 this two-seat design is larger and is to be powered by two Merlin V engines. Armament is four nose-mounted 20mm cannon. Ceiling is estimated at 36,500 feet with a top speed of 368mph at 21,000 feet, rate of climb is estimated at 1,600ft/min at sea level.
F.18/37: Deputy Chief of Staff (DCAS) Air Vice Marshal Sholto Douglas felt the need for a night-fighter to combat the possible use of enemy bombers at night, “the problem of the night-fighter is still far from being solved. The Blenhiem is too slow and the Gloster Gunner may provide the solution but yet is far from operational service.” From looking at operational experience from the Great War and in South America the armament is to be six forward-firing 20mm cannon and a powered dorsal turret to attack from below, the bombers natural blind-spot. Sholto Douglas pressed the need for at least two crewmen and Aerial Radio Location. Therefore F.18/37 called for; A new two-three seater night-fighter either single or twin engined but armed with at least six 20mm cannon and/or dorsal MGs in a turret. Top speed to be no less than 380mph at 20,000ft. Aerial Radio Location to be fitted.
Contenders are;
Boulton Paul P.96, basically a scaled-up Defiant two-seater powered by a single Bristol Centaurus radial and armed with four 20mm cannon in the wings and a quad .303in MG turret as used on the Defiant. Ceiling is estimated at 35,000 feet with a top speed of 400mph at 22,000 feet. Boulton Paul also offers the P.97 three-seater powered by twin Napier Sabre I engines and armed with six 20mm cannon and the quad-MG dorsal turret. Two cannon can be removed and two 250lb bombs fitted on ventral racks to serve as a nocturnal fast bomber. Ceiling is estimated at 39,500 feet with a top speed of 418mph at 34,000 feet, rate of climb is estimated at 3,560ft/min at sea level.
Gloster F.18/37, a modified G.39 with second crewman in new glazed cockpit and the Taurus engines replaced by two RR Merlin IV or V, armament is only four 20mm cannon in the nose. Ceiling is estimated at 35,500 feet with a top speed of 390mph at 22,500 feet.
Miles M.22, based on their private venture for a twin engined fighter this two-seat design is powered by two RR Merlin IV V-12 engines but only four 20mm cannon are fitted. Ceiling is estimated at 40,000 feet with a top speed of 400mph at 22,500 feet.
Vickers 420, a twin Merlin powered three-seat fighter with two nose 20mm cannon a quadruple dorsal turret aimed and fired by remote control by a gunner sat beside the pilot. Elevation is 45 degrees and traverse 120 degrees. Maximum speed is estimated at 409mph at 24,000 feet.
B.1/37: "The Ideal Bomber", this new four-engined design has to achieve a cruising speed of 280mph over 2,500 miles carrying 9000lbs of bombs at 15,000ft. Maximum weight was to be 50,000lbs. Defensive armament is to be two quadruple 20mm turrets. To be in service by 1942.
Contenders are;
Armstrong Whitworth AW.48, powered by four RR Griffon inline engines cruising at 302mph at 15,000ft, maximum bombload 10,500lbs and armed with two quad 20mm turrets, features include tricycle long-travel undercarriage and semi-monocoque construction.
Avro 683, rejecting the initial Avro 680 submission Roy Chadwick developed a simpler design with twin fins and powered by four RR Merlin V engines and only armed with nose, dorsal and tail powered turrets armed with .303in MGs, bombload is 14,000lbs and speed should be 280mph at 11,000 feet.
Blackburn B.30, a twin-fin seven-seat bomber powered by either four Bristol Hercules or RR Griffons, cruising speed is 272 or 261mph at 15,000 feet respectively and service ceiling is estimated at 24,000 feet. Bombload is 9,000lbs and two quad 20mm cannon turrets are to be fitted.
Bristol Type 159 powered by four Hercules radials and can carry 15,000lbs of bombs, cruise speed is 282mph at 15,000 feet and service ceiling 25,300ft, two quad 20mm turrets are fitted.
Handley Page HP.60, this simple design utilises a high-wing and tricycle undercarriage and is to be powered by either Bristol Hercules or RR Griffon engines for cruising speeds of 280-277mph respectively, service ceiling will be 23,500-25,700ft respectively. Bombload is 9,000lbs and two quad 20mm cannon turrets are to be fitted.
Shorts S.34 based on their S.29 design with a single fin and tail-wheel undercarriage but with Hercules or Griffon engines for cruising speeds of 278-268mph respectively, service ceiling will be 23,500-26,400ft respectively. Bombload is 9,000lbs and two quad 20mm cannon turrets are to be fitted.
Vickers 405, Rex Pierson under the supervision of Barnes Wallis produced this unusual design with a special skin of Alclad and plywood bonded by special rubber and using geodetic construction. The aircraft is to be powered by the Hercules or Griffon for cruising speeds of 284-278mph respectively, service ceiling will be 27,500-30,000ft respectively. Bombload is 9,000lbs and two quad 20mm cannon turrets are to be fitted.
R.5/37: A new flying boat with a minimum cruise speed of 235mph, 1500 mile range and armed with a 5000lb bombload and one quad 20mm turret. To be in service 1940.
Contenders are;
Blackburn B.32 powered by four Hercules for a cruise speed of 262mph and a range of 4080 miles and armed with one quad 20mm turret and one tail 20mm cannon and six 500lb bombs.
Saunders-Roe S.38 powered by four Taurus and armed with a quad 20mm turret and single tail 20mm cannon and 4,000lbs of bombs.
Short Brothers S.35 based on the Sunderland powered by four Hercules and armed with quad 7.7mm nose and tail turrets and 4,000lbs of bombs.
Supermarine 328 powered by four Hercules for a cruising speed of 268mph with a maximum range of 5000 miles and a bombload of 3000lbs. It was armed with one quad 20mm turret and one tail 20mm cannon.
N.8/37: A new carrier-based single-seat fighter armed with eight 7.7mm MGs and capable of at least 380mph at 15,000ft.
Contenders are;
Blackburn B.37, powered by the Napier Sabre with 40% chord full-span flaps and spoiler ailerons and 120 gallons of fuel, armament is either eight .303in Browning MGs or four 20mm cannon, maximum speed is estimated at 381mph at 15,000 feet.
Fairey, powered by a RR Griffon V-12 with a fuselage of exceptionally clean appearance to reduce drag, when fitted with a supercharger it could reach speeds of 408mph at 20,000ft, otherwise maximum speed is estimated at 382mph at 15,000 feet. Service ceiling should be 34,000 feet and time to 10,00ft is 3 minutes. Armament is either eight .303in Browning MGs or four 20mm cannon.
Gloster has offered an improved SS.39 Gannet as the SS.43 with slotted flaps and drooping ailerons. Armament is eight .303in Browning MGs and maximum speed is estimated at 368mph at 15,000 feet.
Supermarine has tendered a Griffon powered Spitfire development with a new hydraulically folding wing armed with four 20mm cannon maximum speed is estimated at 428mph at 15,000 feet. 134 gallons of fuel are carried.
Westland offered a Griffon powered fighter. Maximum speed is estimated at 359mph at 15,000 feet with a service ceiling of 34,000 feet. Armament is either eight .303in Browning MGs or four 20mm cannon.
N.11/37: Issued to Gloster for modification work on Avro Canada CF-175 naval escort fighter. To enter service in 1937.
E.28/37: High speed research aircraft requirement issued to Gloster. First flight for mid 1938.
T.4/37: A new two-seat advanced trainer with enclosed cockpit, radio and with retractable undercarriage. To enter service in 1938.
Contenders are; Airspeed AS.45 powered by a Bristol Mercury and with extensive safety features and the Miles M.9 powered by the 870hp RR Peregrine I.
Other new aircraft this year include;
Airspeed AS.7 Consul; a six-seater variant of the Oxford for use with the RAF as personnel transports.
Supermarine Type 323; variable incidence wing research aircraft
De Havilland D.H.95 Flamingo; a private venture all-metal high-wing airliner carrying 17 passengers and a crew of three/ four. Designed for economical operation it is capable of operation from rough strips with limited facilities. Dimensions; 70/ 51.7/ 15.3/ 651 sq ft; 2x 930hp Bristol Perseus XVI; max speed 243mph; range 1,345 miles and service ceiling 20,900ft.
Short S.26 G Class; a flying boat designed to an Imperial Airways requirement for a flying boat with the range to fly from Foyness in Ireland and New York without refuelling. The design is based on the C Class and the Sunderland. 3,600 gallons of fuel is carried in the wing and 24 passengers can be carried. Dimensions; 134.4/ 101.4/ 37.7/ 2,160 sq ft; 4x 1,380hp Bristol Hercules IVC; max speed 209mph; range 3,200 miles and service ceiling 22,000ft.
Short S.32 Sandringham; a new long-range airliner for Imperial Airways for a Trans-Atlantic service and Middle Eastern routes. A normal crew of seven (including cabin crew) and 36 passengers are to be carried. Entry into Imperial Airways service should take place in mid 1939. Dimensions; 127.6/ 90.9/ 2,020 sq ft; 4x 1,380hp Bristol Hercules IVC; max speed 275mph (330mph if pressurised at 25,000ft); range 3,400 miles.