Corgi AA39501 Short Stirling MkI, N6086, LS-F, ‘MacRoberts Reply’, 15 Sqn, RAF Wyton, October 1941

The Short Stirling was the first British four-engined heavy bomber of the World War Two. Designed and built by Short Brothers to an Air Ministry specification from 1936, it entered service in 1941. Its front-line operational career was relatively short being relegated to second line duties from 1943 onwards when the superior Handley Page Halifax and Avro Lancaster, took over its role. MacRobert’s Reply was the name given to Short Stirling MkI bomber, N6086 of 15 squadron. The aircraft was paid for by a generous ‘25,000 donation from Lady Rachel Workman MacRobert, and was named in commemoration of her three sons, all of whom were killed whilst serving with the RAF. Entering service at RAF Wyton on the 10th October 1941, the aircraft carried the MacRobert coat of arms on the nose and was given the code LS-F for ‘Freddie’. The aircraft flew twelve missions between October 1941 and January 1942, before swinging on take-off and colliding with a damaged Spitfire at RAF Peterhead, on the 7th February 1942.