The Second World War in Northern Ireland

The Second World War in Northern Ireland

C.R.O. at Shorts, Sydenham Airfield, Belfast

This is a selection of photographs related to the Civilian Repair Organisation at Shorts Aircraft Factory, Belfast during the Second World War.

(All of these photographs are thanks to Alan Warnock)

Copy of Fairey Fulmar Mk.I. Merlin VIII Engine. Photographed at airfield 10th April 1941.

Copy of J.250 Fairey "Fulmar" Mk1 Merlin VIII engine Type: single engined low wing monoplane Duty: Two seater Fleet fighter (F.A.A.) Wingspan:46 feet Overall Length: 40'4" (Photographed at airport 10.4.41)

Copy of Early wartime colours on Avro Anson K6279 wearing code OY-B of No 48 Squadron which was equipped with the type from March 1936 to October 1941. 

 K6279 had previously served from Nos 58 and 51 Squadrons and was sold to the South African Air Force on 18 June 1941

Copy of Fairey Battle L5216 coded RH-M was with No 88 (Hong Kong) Squadron at this time; it subsequently went to the Royal Canadian Air Force on 27 August 1941 where it was given the serial 2098 and served with No 8 Bombing and Gunnery School

Copy of Bristol Beaufort X8931 in Coastal Command white served with Nos 3 and 5 OTU before being struck off charge on 31 January 1946. Beneath the nose can be seen the hulk of a Blackburn Botha, and behind the tail some Fairey Swordfish.

Copy of J.303 Bristol Blenheim 25.9.41 The Blenheim Mk1 Two Mercury VIII engines Type: Twin engined landplane Duty: Day bombing Wing span: 56ft 4 ins Overall length 39ft 9ins

Copy of a Catalina Flying Boat conversion.

Copy of CRO boats servicing the flying boats. Sunderland in Belfast lough with newly built aircraft carrier in the background

Copy of Gladiator A/C 5592 Photographed on 14/5/42

Copy of Gloster Gladiator N5592 served initial with the Meteorological Flight at Aldergrove and later with Nos 402 and 1402 Flights before being struck off charge on 5 April 1945

Copy of Gloster Gladiator A/C 20/6/44. Short Stirling bombers on the left.

Copy of Gloster Gladiator A/C 20/6/44. Probably Shorts Test Pilot Tom Brooke-Smith

Copy of Hampden, Beaufort, and Blenheim in line 12.10.43

Copy of Handley Page "Hampden" 12.10.43

Copy of "Hellcat" Aircraft showing wing folded. View looking forward 21.10.43

Copy of "Hellcat" Aircraft 12.11.43

Copy of Line up of "Hellcat" Aircraft at Airport 21.10.43

Copy of J.304 L.6010 Hereford 25.9.41 The Hereford. Napier Dagger VIII engines Type: twin engined monoplane Duty:medium bomber wing span: 69ft 4 ins Overall length 53ft 7ins

Copy of J.304 L.6010 Hereford 25.9.41 The Hereford. Napier Dagger VIII engines Type: twin engined monoplane Duty:medium bomber wing span: 69ft 4 ins Overall length 53ft 7ins

Copy of Hurricane I coded DX-M of No 245 Squadron at Aldergrove has no serial showing but both V7021 and W9239 wore that code at different times. The latter crashed on 30 April 1941, while V7021 was converted to a MkIIA and shipped to Russia in 1941

Copy of Vickers Supermarine "Walrus" flying boat

Copy of Vickers Supermarine "Walrus" Amphibian Flying Boat. 1st craft to use new slipway 12.11.40

Copy of Vickers Supermarine "Walrus" Flying Boat photographed on new slipway 12.11.40

Copy of Vickers Supermarine "Walrus" mk1 Pegasus VI engine. Type:Amphibian boat, seaplane (pusher type). Duty: Fleet Air Arm Wingspan: 45'10", Overall length 38' (photographed at airport 10.4.41) repainting of the wheels has obviously been carried out with insufficient masking, hence the silver coated tyre!

Copy of The Westland "Lysander " Mk.II (Perseus XII Engine) Type:Single-engined two-seater high wing monoplane Duty:army co-operation and bombing Wing span: 50ft Overall length: 30 1/2 ft General: fixed undercarriage with stub-wings for bombs or supply containers. Squat fuselage with totally enclosed cockpit. Radial engine

Copy of Westland Lysander P9075 showing its distinctive wing shape served with Nos 31,231 and 28 Squadrons before it crashed at Detta Khel and was destroyed by tribesmen - an unusual end - on 28 July 1942

Copy of Miles Martinet target tug HP165 looking pristine after treatment. Belonging to No7 OTU, its career ended for causes unknown on 10 Dec 1948. An equally smart Anson is beyond

Copy of Percival Proctor

Copy of Vickers "Spitfire" aircraft (Mark VB)

Copy of Curtiss "Tomahawk" aircraft