Photograph:
Blackburn Kangaroo G-EAIU (c/n BK/33/12/7469) (from period Postcard)
Country of origin:
United Kingdom
Description:
Long-range bomber
Power Plant:
Two 186 kw (250 hp) Rolls Royce Falcon II or III twelve-cylinder VEE liquid-cooled engines
Specifications:
- Wingspan [upper]: 22.8 m (74 ft 10¼ in)
- Wingspan [lower]: 14.6 m (45 ft 9½ in)
- Length: 14.02 m (46 ft)
- Height: 5.15 m (16 ft 10 in)
- Wing area: 81.75 m² (880 sq ft)
- Max speed at sea level: 158 km/h (98 mph)
- Max speed at 3,048 m (10,000 ft): 138 km/h (86 mph)
- Initial rate of climb: 152 m/min (500 ft/min)
- Climb to 1,524 m (5,000 ft): 12½ mins
- Ceiling: 3,200 m (10,500 ft)
- Endurance: 8 hours
- Fuel capacity: 980 litres (215.5 Imp gals)
- Empty weight: 2,336 kg (5,150 lb)
- Loaded weight: 3,674 kg (8,100 lb)
History:
The Blackburn RT-1 Kangaroo [Reconnaissance Torpedo Type 1] was a long-range bomber designed close to the end of World War I, some 20 examples being produced, the majority of these being based in North Yorkshire and flown with some success on anti-submarine patrols. A large aircraft, it was of wooden construction with fabric covering. RAF serials B9970 to B9989 were allotted and the aircraft were powered by 186 kw (250 hp) Rolls-Royce Falcon II or III engines.
After retirement of the type, 17 were re-purchased by the manufacturers in May 1919 and 11 were converted for civil use, being able to carry up to seven passengers. Two (G-EAIU and G-EAMJ) were entered in the 1922 Kings Cup Race at Croydon, Greater London, one being entered by Winston Churchill, later Prime Minister of Great Britain.
A Kangaroo G-EAOW (c/n B9970) was an entrant in the race to Australia announced by the Australian Prime Minister, William M Hughes, on 19 March 1919. The race was to stimulate aerial activity in Australia, the Australian Commonwealth Government indicating it would award a prize of £10,000 ($20,000) to the first Australian airman who succeeded in flying from England to Australia within 720 consecutive hours before midnight on 31 December 1920.
Flown by Lt V Rendle, with Lt D R Williams as co-pilot, Hubert Wilkins (later Sir) as navigator, and G H Potts as engineer, the aircraft left Hounslow, Greater London, on 21 November 1919. However, engine trouble caused the aircraft to force land at Suda Bay on Crete on 8 December 1919 and the flight was abandoned when a replacement engine did not arrive in time to complete the journey within the specified time.
Other aircraft involved in the race did not complete the journey, these including a Caudron G.4 (C3023), Alliance P.2 Seabird (G-EAOX) and Martinsyde Type A Mk I (G-AEMR).