SHORT SINGAPORE III

SHORT SINGAPORE III - The Short S.19 Singapore III was a six-seat general reconnaissance flying-boat produced for RAF on basis of single Short S.12 Singapore II developed in 1930-32. Four pre-production Short Singapore Ills to Specification R.3/33 and a further 33 to Spec R. 14/34 with 675 hp R-R Kestrel VIII pusher-and two Kestrel IX tractor engines. First Mk III flown June 15, 1934; entered service 1935 with No 203 Sqn. Latter unit flying Short Singapores on anti-shipping patrols at Aden when war began, continuing to February 1940. No 205 Sqn used Short Singapores from Seletar until March 1941, then transferred four to RNZAF for use by latter's No 5 Sqn at Fiji until April 1943. Max speed, 136 mph (219 kmlh) at 5,000 ft (1,524 m). Service ceiling, 15,000 ft (4,570 m). Range, 1,000 mis (1,610 km). Empty weight, 20,364 Ib (9,237 kg). Gross weight, 32,390 Ib (14,692 kg). Span, 90 ft 0 in (27.4 m). Length, 64 ft 2 in (19.5 m). Wing area, 1,834 sqft (170.5 m').