This aircraft was the second 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-AFCJ (CofR 8165) - October 1937

Impressed by the R.A.F. as 'X8274' before construction was completed

Converted to military standards prior to launch

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

Launched at the Short Brothers Seaplane Works on the Medway at Rochester - July 8, 1940

The aircraft was originally named 'Grenadier' but this was changed to 'Golden Fleece'

First flown as G-AFCI (Captain John L. Parker) - July 08, 1940

The test flight indicated turbulence around the tail turret causing directional instability

Fairing fitted ahead of turret and the rudder was cropped

Second test flight carried out - August 13, 1940

Ferried to Blackburn Aircraft, Dumbarton for the fitting of remaining military equipment, including bomb racks

to accommodate eight 500 lb bombs, internal stowage for 8 smoke floats, 20 reconnaissance flares and 28 flame floats

Third test flight carried out following military conversion - November 19, 1940

The aircraft was assigned to Stranraer, Scotland and commenced operational ACV training

Allocated to 'G' Flight at Bowmore, Loch Indaal, Islay - December 24, 1940

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

Departed Mountbatten for Gibralter (Capt S. G. Long; F/O G. H. Bowes) - June 20, 1941

Three hours into the flight the pilot reported that the aircraft had suffered engine failure and were returning to base

A second radio message reported that the aircraft was diverting to Lisbon after a second engine failure

No further radio communication was received from the pilot

Engine failures forced the pilot to make an emergency landing in rough waters off Cape Finisterre

On landing the hull caved in and the aircraft sank

Eight crew and one passenger drowned with Capt S. G. Long; F/O G. H. Bowes the only survivors

They spent 3 and a half days in a liferaft before being rescued by a German U-boat

The two pilots were taken to Germany and became P.O.W.s for the duration of the war