The Blackburn Roc, developed from the Skua, was the first Fleet Air Arm aircraft to have a power-driven gun turret. The first aircraft, Roc L3057, flew on 23 December, 1938, following the construction of three prototypes ordered from Blackburn under Contract No 534401/36/C.206 on 28 April, 1937 to specification O.34/35. The first prototype was sent to the Aircraft and Armament Experimental Establishment at Martlesham Heath in March, 1939 for handling and performance trials, and in July 1939 the first production aircraft L3060 was sent to IAD Flight, RAE Farnborough for tests. The Rocs were found to be slow and with poor stability their only good characteristics were they could maintain a steep dive with dive brakes. Subsequently, orders to specification 15/37 for 133 Roc were received by Boulton & Paul.

The Roc was the shipborne equivalent to the Defiant which was also made by Boulton Paul. It suffered not only from a poor tactical concept but also from having a poor performance for a fighter. The Roc could be equipped with floats, but only three ever were. In total 136 Roc were built.

The Roc was destined primarily for the Fleet Air Arm. In addition at least one Roc, Roc L3120 was sent to the RCAF for assessment, to the Roc Flight at Odiham for 110 squadron RCAF on 12 November 1940.

 The Roc entered service with 800 and 803 Squadrons, the first aircraft arriving on 4 April 1939 at Worthy Down (eg L3062, the third production aircraft).  The aircraft operated from shore bases only, alongside Skua squadrons, and its front line career ended in June 1940. The Roc Seaplane saw limited service with 765 squadron, in a training role at Lee-on-Solent during 1940-41, and with 773 squadron in Bermuda during 1941-43.

The final Rocs were used in target towing and training duties, and aircraft started to be withdrawn from service in August 1943 after an undistinguished career.  Their FAA service finally ended in 1944,  the very last aircraft L3191 being paid off from 793 squadron in August 1944.

Fleet Air Arm Roc L3084 of 778 or 771squadron in 1941

Fleet Air Arm history
        Blackburn Roc
        Total FAA 1939-1945:        136
        First delivered to RN:         1939
        First squadron 1939-1945:   803 sqdn 1939
        Operational squadron:         803 sdqn 1939
        Last served with RN           1944

3 prototypes ordered from Blackburn under Contract no 534401/36/C.206 dated 28.4.37 to Spec O.34/35
L3057 – First to A&AEE 3.39 for handling and performance

133 ordered from Boulton & Paul under Contract no 534401/36/C.206 dated 28.4.37 to Spec 15/37

First RN:                                 7.39 to IAD flt RAE (L3060 first prodtn aircraft)
First sqdn:                               4.4.39 803 sqdn Worthy Down (L3062 third prodtn aircraft)
Last withdrawn                         5.44 776 sdqn Speke/Woodvale, 793 sdqn 8.44 (L3191)

Created 3-4-1999, Modified 3-4-2000

 

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