Was the thirty-second Empire boat to be completed and flown by Short Bros at Rochester, Kent

Order placed by Imperial Airways, London - October 21, 1937

This was the first of the new S-30 Empire Class of boats built for the Bermuda service

Completed as an S-30 Empire Class boat with 890 h.p. Bristol Perseus XIIc engines

The fuel capacity was increased to 1,500 gallons

Had an all-up weight of 48,000 lb (21,780 kg) later increased to 53,000 lb (24,200 kg)

Cruised at 164 m.p.h. with a range of 1,300 miles / 2,000 km

Entered onto the British Aircraft Register as G-AFCT (CofR 8204) - November 15, 1937

Launched on the Medway at Rochester - September 1938

First flown as G-AFCT - September 28, 1938

Was fitted with wooden propellers for trials - October 17 - 21, 1938

Certificate of Airworthiness (CofA) Issued - October 27, 1938

Delivered to Imperial Airways, London - November 4, 1938

Aircraft named 'Champion'

During its construction the navigation hatch was omitted and replaced by a 21 inch observation dome

This was fitted to the starboard side between frames 11 and 12

Imperial Airways merged to form British Overseas Airways Corporation - April 1, 1940

Ownership officially transferred to British Airways - August 27, 1940

Withdrawn from service at Hythe, Southampton - March 16, 1947

Broken up at Hythe - 1947