The elegant Sunderland was the RAF's staple maritime patrol aircraft throughout World War II (1939-1945).Crucial in the Battle of the Atlantic, the Sunderland was instrumental in defeating the U-Boat menace which threatened to starve the UK into submission.Nicknamed the Flying Porcupine due to its heavy armoury of 14 guns, the Sunderland proved an immediate success in battle.Aside from its worldwide use with the RAF, it saw action with the RAAF, RNZAF and RCAF.This is the first book devoted to the Sunderland's WW2 service to be published in over a decade.