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The Short S. 19 Singapore was a multi-engined biplane flying boat from the interwar period.

The Singapore name and type number first appeared in the mid 1920s, on a one off record breaking aircraft. They were re-used by four engined military developments of this machine. The Singapore III achieved significant production becoming the Royal Air Force's main long range biplane maritime patrol flying boat of the 1930s, and seeing service against the Japanese with the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Short Singapore I

Heavily staggered biplane with single fin and rudder, powered by two Rolls-Royce H 10 800 hp engines. The type did not enter production, but was used by Alan Cobham to circumnavigate Africa, 1927-28.

Short Singapore II

A developed version with 4 engines, mounted in tractor/pusher pairs, the single example of which was first flown 1930.

Short Singapore III

The definitive version, with 4 engines and twin fins. In 1933 the British Air Ministry ordered 4 flying boats based upon the Singapore II for trials with squadrons under specification R 3/33. These aircraft had all metal hulls, with fabric covered metal flying surfaces. Singapores proved surprisingly tough; after the type was retired by the RNZAF the kiwis attempted to crush one with a bulldozer, only to see the dozer drive the length of the lower wing without making an impression. They were powered by four 675 h.p. Rolls-Royce Kestrel IX mounted between the wings in two tandem push pull pairs, similar to the Singapre IIs. The crew of 6 were located in a central cabin, and fore, aft and midships open Vickers or Lewis gun positions. A long range fuel tank could be carried externally on the dorsal hull. The first Short Singapore III flew on 15 June 1934. Although obsolescent by the time the first aircraft entered service with No. 210 Squadron RAF 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.

Service History

No. 230 Squadron RAF was the first squadron equipped with Singapore IIIs. It deployed to Alexandria in 1935. During 1937 the Singapores of No. 209 Squadron RAF and 210 Squadron moved from Malta to Algeria as part of an international effort to prevent gun running during the Spanish Civil War.

Replacement of the Singapore with the Short Sunderland was well underway by the outbreak of World War II, 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 RAF in, appropriately enough, Singapore which relinquished its aircraft in October 1941. Four 205 squadron aircraft found their way to No. 5 Squadron RNZAF in Fiji, 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 Consolidated Catalinas.

No Singapores are known to have survived.

Operators

• New Zealand.
  • Royal New Zealand Air Force.
• United Kingdom.
  • Royal Air Force.

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