The Blackburn Shark was a RN FAA carrier-borne torpedo bomber designed to meet Air Ministry Specification S.15/33 and served with the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm from 1934 until 1938 at which time it was gradually replaced by the Fairey Swordfish, the remaining Sharks being utilised as target tug and training aircraft until 1942. It is of note that the Blackburn Shark was also used in small numbers by both the RCAF and the Portuguese Navy and remained operational until 1944. Blackburn Shark Mk2 specifications: Crew: 3 Length: 35 ft 3 in (10.75 m) Wingspan: 46 ft (14.02 m) Height: 12 ft 1 in (3.68 m) Empty weight: 4,039 lb (1,836 kg) Loaded weight: 8,111 lb (3,687 kg) Engine: Single 760 hp (567 kW) Armstrong Siddeley Tiger VI 14 cylinder radial engine Maximum speed: 130 kn (150 mph, 242 km/h) Cruise speed: 103 kn (118 mph, 190 km/h) Range: 543 Nmi (625 mi, 1,006 km) Service ceiling 15,600 ft (4,760 m)
Armament: Single fixed forward firing 0.303" Vickers gun Single cockpit mounted 0.303 in Vickers K gun Single 1,800 lb 18 inch torpedo or 1,600 lb of bombs
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