Depicted is a Short Sunderland flying boat of the RAF (Royal Air Force) on submarine patrol duty. Flying above the ocean trying to spot enemy subs was not an easy task and took some sharp eyes and very patient attention. One of the most widely used flying boats of WW 2, the Sunderland was developed in tandem with the Short Empire S-3, it's civilian counterpart. It was developed by the Short company as a bomber/reconnaissance/patrol craft and was widely used in anti-submarine warfare and spotting in the Atlantic theater of the conflict. Because of its size, the heavily armed aircraft sent most of its time in the water, with quarters and galley to service the crew. This feature necessitated the addition of the retractable nose turret to accommodate an anchor position when in the water and separate wheeled dollies to tow the craft onto dry land for servicing. Later fitted with radar "stalks" the Sunderland acquired the nickname "Porcupine" from its German adversaries. Alternately the nickname fit because it was so heavily armed. Attacking the very large seemingly easy target was not a slam-dunk as many an enemy pilot was dismayed to discover. Another one of it's many innovative solutions was retractable bomb racks to the sides of the aircraft under the wings. Additional bombs could be loaded and slid out for further deployment. Great looking craft! Short "Sunderland"; Most excellent model by Cybertenko; available here on Rendo Sub is an old classic by Bazze. (possibly still available on his site.) Models set up and posed, composed, lighting, some texture tweaks, and rendered in DazStudio; finished in PS Cs3