The first prototype of the Short Singapore, also known as the Short S.5 (military designationSingapore I), was a metal hull version of the wooden-hulled Short Cromarty.[1] The biplane design included a single fin and rudder, and was originally powered by two Rolls-Royce Condor IIIA 650 horsepower (480 kW) engines.[2] Its maiden flight was made from Rochester on 17 August 1926, piloted by Short's Chief Test PilotJohn Lankester Parker.[3] The type did not enter production, but was used by Sir Alan Cobham for a survey flight around Africa. Registered G-EBUP, it left Rochester on 17 November 1927 and arrived at the Cape on 30 March 1928, returning to Rochester on 4 June 1928. It was displayed at the Olympia in July 1929.
Short Singapore II prototype (N246) early in its development, with four engines, single tail, open cockpit and no ailerons on the lower wings.
The Singapore II (manufacturer's designation Short S.12) which followed was a development of the Singapore I with four engines, mounted in tandem tractor/pusher pairs (also known as the push-pull configuration). The single example of this aircraft to be built was first flown on 27 March 1930, also by John Lankester Parker.
From the Singapore II came a design with four engines and triple fins. In 1933 the British Air Ministry ordered four flying boats based on the Singapore II for trials with squadrons under specification R.3/33. These would be followed by a further production order to specification R.14/34. These aircraft, the Singapore III (manufacturer's designation Short S.19), had all-metal hulls and fabric-covered metal flying surfaces. They were powered by four 675 hp (503 kW) Rolls-Royce Kestrel IX mounted between the wings in two tandem push-pull pairs, similar to the Singapore IIs. The crew of six was located in a central cabin and fore, aft, and midships open gun positions (Vickers machine gunorLewis gun). A long-range fuel tank could be carried externally on the dorsal hull. The first Singapore III flew on 15 June 1934. Although obsolescent by the time the first aircraft entered service with 210 Squadron in January 1935, the type arrived just in time to benefit from the arms race of the late 1930s and 37 were built. Production terminated in June 1937.
Replacement of the Singapore with the Short Sunderland was well underway by the outbreak of the Second World War. However, 19 survivors saw limited service in secondary theatres, mainly in a training role. The last RAF unit operating the type was No. 205 Squadron RAFinSingapore which relinquished its aircraft in October 1941. Four 205 squadron aircraft found their way to No. 5 Squadron RNZAFinFiji, for use against German raiders. When Japan attacked in December, the New Zealand aircraft found themselves in the front line. They accounted for a Japanese submarine and conducted several air-sea rescues before being replaced by the Consolidated Catalinas from No. 6 Squadron RNZAF in April 1943.[4]
Short Singapore III flying boat of 205 Squadron, in flight below three 'vic' formations of Vickers Vildebeest torpedo bombers of 100 Squadron. Both units were based at RAF Seletar.
15 February 1935 - Singapore III K3595 crashed in the Peloritani mountain range near Messina, Sicily in poor visibility. All on board were killed - eight RAF personnel and a civilian Senior Technical Officer of the Royal Aircraft Establishment.[citation needed] The aircraft was one of four that had departed from the United Kingdom four weeks earlier for delivery to No. 205 Squadron RAF, based in Singapore.[7] However the flight had been repeatedly delayed by engine trouble and illness among the crew. One of the victims of the crash was Flight Lieutenant Henry Longfield Beatty, the half-brother of The First Sea Lord David Beatty, 1st Earl Beatty.[citation needed] They were buried at Capuccini Naval Cemetery, Malta.[8]
2 February 1937 - Singapore III K3594 crashed during take-off from RAF Seletar, Singapore. One pilot was killed, the other five crew were injured. The aircraft was written-off.[9]
8 August 1939 - Singapore III K4584ofNo. 203 Squadron RAF struck a sea-wall during take-off from RAF Aboukir, Alexandria, Egypt; two were killed and seven injured, one of whom later died from his injuries. The aircraft caught fire and was written-off. One of those injured in the accident was Squadron Leader James Scarlett-Streatfeild (later Air-Vice Marshal)[10][11]
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Barnes, C. H.; James, Derek N. (1989). Shorts Aircraft since 1900. London: Putnam. ISBN0-85177-819-4.
Darby, Charles (1978). RNZAF: The First Decade, 1937–46. Dandenong, Melbourne, Australia: Kookaburra Technical Publications Pty Ltd. ISBN0-85880-031-4.
Green, William (1968). Warplanes of the Second World War, Volume Five: Flying Boats. London: Macdonald & Co. (Publishers) Ltd. ISBN0-356-01449-5..
Green, William; Swanborough, Gordon (May–August 1989). "Singapore: Short's Last Biplane Boat". Air Enthusiast. No. 39. pp. 43–50. ISSN0143-5450.
Jefford, C. G. (2001). RAF Squadrons: A Comprehensive Record of the Movement and Equipment of All RAF Squadrons and their Antecendents Since 1912. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN1-84037-141-2.
London, Peter (2003). British Flying Boats. Stroud, UK: Sutton Publishing. ISBN0-7509-2695-3.
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