SARO A.36 Lerwick
Probably the worst British aircraft ever to enter service.
In 1936 a requirement was issued for a twin-engined patrol flying boat. Supermarine won with their 314, but due to their Spitfire commitments advised that it may have been 2 years until they could produce their design. In their stead SARO was awarded a contract to build their second-placed design "off the drawing board". An initial order was placed for 21 aircraft and the first of 3 prototypes flew in November 1938.
Immediately deficiencies in the aircraft's handling became apparent, unstable on the water and in flight. The aircraft was impossible to fly "hands-off", a major failing for a long-range patrol aircraft. Modifications to the tailplanes, including converstion to a twin-tail, were able to reduce, but not resolve, the aerodynamic problems. In desperation Shorts were called in to try to resolve the water handling problems, even creating a scaled-down version of the Sunderland hull, and although the worst of the water handling appeared to be remedied the aircraft still suffered from severe porpoising at speed on the water.
The first Lerwicks were sent to 240 Squadon in the summer of 1939, and in late October the contract for further aircraft was cancelled. But in November with the choice of Lerwicks or nothing, the contract was reinstated, although in December it was requested that the Lerwicks be terminated and SARO instead tasked to build Sunderlands.
In service the Lerwick was unpopular, and in the event of a failed engine uncontrolable - the aircraft would enter a spiral descent as it could neither remain airborne under the power of a single engine, nor could it maintain direction. The Lerwick had a very bad crash and "disappearance" record.
In light of the design's abject failure the RAF were forced to purchase Catalinas from the US, an outdated design they had originally rejected. By April 1941 the first Catalinas arrived and the Lerwick were rapidly phased out.
Suprisingly some Lerwicks were temporarily returned to sevice for the RCAF with 422 Squadron in preparation for the arrival of Sunderlands for the squadron. They were quickly withdrawn with the arrival of the Sunderlands.