New Flying Boats for British Empire Air Lines

Abstract

IT is announced that Imperial Airways have placed an order with Messrs. Short Bros., Ltd., of Rochester, for a fleet of flying boats specified to be both larger and faster than any of a similar class now in existence. The order provides several innovations, the most startling of which is that the type of engine will not be decided until absolutely necessary for the completion of the design. It will thus be possible to take advantage of accumulating experience in the use of several different types, some of which are as yet not very thoroughly tried out under such conditions. It is also understood that the number of machines to be ordered is not yet settled, but will depend upon their suitability for the varying conditions in the different Empire routes. The new boats are to be high-wing monoplanes, without external bracing, and carrying wing tip floats. These will be the first marine aircraft in Imperial Airways fleet to depart from the more usual biplane construction. The size of the hull is such that the forepart can be given two decks, the upper one for the crew, ship's offices, and cargo, and the lower one for passengers. Their total loaded weight will be 17 tons, about 30 per cent increase upon the present largest boat in Imperial Airways service, of which 3-5 tons is available for paying load, depending upon the length of the flight between refuellings. The estimated speed is nearly 200 miles per hour, with a range of up to 1,500 miles. This allows them to undertake the two longest stages on the all-Empire route (except the Atlantic), that is, between England and Gibraltar, and Australia and New Zealand.