A view of the first Roc, L3057, probably taken in February 1939, shortly before it went to Martlesham Heath for handling and armament trials.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Blackburn Roc / B-25 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1938

The Roc was intended to meet Specification 26/36 as a twin-float seaplane fighter. Seen here is one of the two trials machines, L3059, after being fitted with floats at Blackburns Dumbarton factory in October 1939. L3059 is painted with camouflaged upper surfaces and sky on the lower half of the fuselage and underside of the starboard wing. The underside of the port wing was painted black. Roc L3059 was water-tested at Helensburgh, not far from the Dumbarton factory. The trials were not successful and the aircraft crashed while taking off on December 3, 1939.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Blackburn Roc / B-25 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1938

THE ROC FLOATPLANE: Pushing out a Blackburn Roc floatplane (Bristol Perseus engine) for a training flight at a Fleet Air Arm base. The Roc has a four-gun Boulton Paul turret.
Roc seaplane L3143 with wings folded. Delivered to No 2 AACU in March 1940, this Roc crashed in October of the same year.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Blackburn Roc / B-25 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1938

A pair of Rocs, with L3118 in the foreground.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Blackburn Roc / B-25 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1938

Roc L3084 was later converted to a target tug. The idea of a turret fighter bringing its guns to bear in broadside attacks proved unsound and Rocs were used as fighters only briefly. Relegated to target-towing duties, most Rocs had disappeared by the summer of 1943.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Blackburn Roc / B-25 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1938

There were no special prototypes of the Blackburn Roc and the first aircraft, L3057, was first flown on December 23,1938, by Flt Lt H. J. Wilson. After contractor's trials at Brough, L3057, in company with L3058 and L3059, went to A&AEE Martlesham for handling and armament trials.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Blackburn Roc / B-25 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1938