G-AFCI Short S-26G Flying Boat

This aircraft was the first of three G-Class boats to be completed and flown by Short Bros at Rochester, Kent

The order was placed by Imperial Airways, London - 1938

It was built as an S-26G Class flying boat having 1,380 h.p. Bristol Hercules IV radial engines

The standard fuel capacity was 3,600 gallons

Maximum all-up weight was 73,500 lb (33,400 kg), cruised at 180 m.p.h. with a range of 3,200 miles (5,152 km)

The estimated construction cost on each aircraft was UKL 87,325

Entered onto the British Aircraft Register as G-AFCI (CofR 8164) - October 1937

Launched at the Short Brothers Seaplane Works on the Medway at Rochester - June 17, 1939

The aircraft was named 'Golden Hind'

First flown as G-AFCI (Captain John L. Parker) - July 21, 1939

The test flight lasted 33 minutes and on landing the pilot reported that there was nothing wrong with the aircraft

The second test flight (72 minutes) - July 25, 1939

The third test flight carried out - August 29, 1939

The fourth test flight carried out - September 05, 1939

Certificate of Airworthiness (CofA) Issued - September 1939

Delivered to Imperial Airways, London - September 24, 1939

It was impressed almost immediately by Royal Air Force and allocated markings 'X8275'

Ferried to the Blackburn Aircraft, Dumbarton for conversion to military standard

This included the fitting of 3 dorasl gun turrets, armour plating to protect crew and inner fuel tanks, underwing

bomb racks to accommodate eight 500 lb bombs, internal stowage for 8 smoke floats, 20 reconnaissance flares

and 28 flame floats

Imperial Airways was merged to form British Airways - April 01, 1940

It was allocated to 'G' Flight at Bowmore, Loch Indaal, Islay - February 05, 1941

'G' Flight renamed No 119 Squadron, Royal Air Force - March 1941

No 119 Squadron was disbanded and aircraft returned to British Overseas Airways Corporation - December 06, 1941

Ownership was officially transferred to British Airways - December 12, 1941

All military equipment was removed and austerity seating for 40 passengers fitted

Certificate of Airworthiness (CofA) issued - July 1942

Entered BOAC service flying priority passengers and mail - July 18, 1942

Route: Poole - Foynes - Lisbon - Bathurst - Freetown - Accra - Lagos

Following the loss of the Empire Boat G-AFCZ 'Clare' this aircraft was worked harder on this route

Deployed on the Poole - Foynes route as a shuttle to the connecting Boeing 314 aircraft flying the Atlantic Ocean

Ferried to Durban via Foynes - Lisbon - West Africa - Belgian Congo - June 1944

It operated services to Lorenco Marques - Beira - Mombasa

Commenced regular fornightly Kisumu - Mombasa - Pamanzi - Madagascar - Seychelles service - September 24, 1944

Survey Kisumu - Mombasa - Mahe - Addu Atoll (Maldives) - Lake Koggala (Ceylon) route - November 10 - 17, 1944

Mombasa service extended to Maldives and Ceylon - November 28, 1944

Ceylon service discontinued as Qantas had recommenced service to Ceylon and Karachi - August 30, 1945

It returned to the U. K. for major overhaul - September 1945

Refurbisment included full furnishings, seating for 38 passengers and new Bristol Hercules XIV engines

Commenced post-war weekly service on Poole - Augusta - Cairo route - September 30, 1946

Withdrawn from service at Poole - September 21, 1947

Sold to Buchan Marine Services who planned to use aircraft on charters to South America and Australia

Ferried by Buchan Marine Services to Rochester - April 17, 1948

Remained at its mooring for next 5 years with a watchman to maintain it in good condition

Sold to F. C. Bettison - October 1953

It was towed to new moorings at Sheerness but the hull was damaged by gravel when it settled on the riverbed at low tide

Moved to Swale, Harty Ferry with the intention of taking it to Hamble for overhaul

The aircraft was further damaged during a gale and foundered at this mooring - May 1954

Salvaged, declared a write-off and was broken up for scrap

Aircraft had flown a total of ? hours when scrapped