BLACKBURN B-25 ROC I -
The Blackburn Roc, designed in 1936 to Specification 0.30/35 by G E Petty,
was a direct derivative of the Skua, adapted as a two-seat turret fighter
and the first aircraft in such a category to enter service with the Fleet
Air Arm. Armament was concentrated in a BP Type A Mk II power-operated
tur-ret with four 0.303-in (7.7-mm) Browning guns, with provision for
eight 30-lb (13.6-kg) bombs under the wings. Production of 136 was ordered
to Specification 26/36 in April 1937, without prototypes, and the first
flight was made on December 23, 1938. The engine was a 890 hp Perseus
XII, and three Blackburn Rocs were also built to Specification 20/37 as floatplanes.
A few Blackburn Rocs served operationally with Nos 801 and 806 Sqns (alongside Skuas)
for a few months in 1940 but most remained in second-line squadrons, usually
with turrets removed, for training and target towing.
