Air Enthusiast 2006-01 / E.Davies - California Solent /Flying boats and floatplanes/

Western Aerospace Museum in June 2005 - the Solent dominates the aircraft park.

Air Enthusiast 2006-01 / E.Davies - California Solent /Flying boats and floatplanes/

The Solent being loaded on to a barge at Richmond for the trip to Oakland.

Air Enthusiast 2006-01 / E.Davies - California Solent /Flying boats and floatplanes/

Following the move by barge from Richmond, the Solent was placed on display at Oakland's North Field - November 1988.

Aeroplane Monthly 1990-07 / A.Edney - California's Solent

Another view of Solent NJ203 parked at Oakland airport. Work is continuing on bringing the 40yr-old flying-boat back to airworthiness: there are tentative plans to use it for pleasure-flights around San Francisco Bay and even to Hawaii.

Aeroplane Monthly 1990-07 / A.Edney - California's Solent

Resplendent in all-white RAF finish, NJ203 stands on its beaching gear at Oakland airport, California.

Air Enthusiast 2006-01 / E.Davies - California Solent /Flying boats and floatplanes/

'Halcyon' squeezes through the gate onto Earhart Road, on her way to the WAM, November 10, 1990.

Мировая Авиация 156

Последняя летающая лодка Solent компании TEAL, ZK-AMO, была передана в Новозеландский музей транспорта и технологий в Окленде, где она находится в экспозиции рядом с одним из последних Sunderland Mk 5 новозеландских ВВС.

Другие самолёты на фотографии: Another planes on the photo: Short Sunderland / S.25 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1937

Мировая Авиация 133

Air International 1981-09 / ??? - The Sunderland story

The production Seaford I.

Jane's All the World Aircraft 1946 / 03 - All the world's aeroplanes

The Short Seaford General Reconnaissance Flying-boat (four Bristol Hercules 100 engines).

Мировая Авиация 234

Seaford имел множество существенных отличий от Sunderland. Его можно отличить по высокому килю, большому форкилю и отсутствию хвостовой стрелковой турели. MJ201 - второй серийный самолет, в 1946 году взятый компанией BOAC для испытаний в качестве гражданского пассажирского самолета.

Aeroplane Monthly 1992-01 / Personal album. Civil

Aquila Airways’ Short S.45 Solent 3 G-ANAJ al Southampton in 1955. It began life as N1201, took up the temporary registration G-AGWU as a Seaford 1 in December 1945 until February 1946, and was later registered to Aquila in April 1954. Named City of Funchal, the Solent was destroyed in a gale at Santa Margherita, Italy, on September 26, 1956.

Aeroplane Monthly 1994-01 / Personal album. Civil

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: G-AKNR

Short S.45 Solent 3 G-AKNR City of Belfast operated by BOAC and remained with the Corporation from April 1949 until November 1951, when it was sold to Tasman Empire Airways Ltd to become ZK-AMQ Aparimu. In 1957 the ’boat was scrapped at Auckland.

Aeroplane Monthly 1994-01 / Personal album. Civil

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: G-AKNO   [2]

Short S.45 Solent 3 G-AKNO, BOAC’s City of London, was acquired by the Corporation early in 1949 and was subsequently sold to Trans Oceanic Airways Pty Ltd of Sydney. Sadly, VH-TOA, as it became, sank off Malta during its delivery flight, on January 28, 1951.

Air Enthusiast 2006-01 / E.Davies - California Solent /Flying boats and floatplanes/

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: G-AKNO   [2]

Solent G-AKNO taxying on the Thames near the Tower of London, May 1949, before the ceremony to name her 'City of London’.

Aeroplane Monthly 1993-03 / Personal album. Civil

Taxying out of Dar-es-Salaam harbour on October 30, 1949 is Short Solent 3 G-AHIL City of Salisbury. It was the occasion of the last flying-boat scheduled service out of Dar-es-Salaam. First registered to BOAC in June 1948 as a Solent 2, 'IL was converted to a Mk 3 the following year. BOAC withdrew the 'boat from use in September 1951 and it was scrapped at Hamworthy, Dorset in 1954.

Aeroplane Monthly 1992-01 / Personal album. Civil

Short S.45 Solent 3 G-AKNU, formerly NJ207, at Southampton on October 16, 1955, before departing on the last round trip on Aquila Airways’ Southampton-Genoa service. On the night of Friday, November 15,1957, the ’boat hit sloping ground near Shalcombe Hill, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, killing outright 45 of the 58 people aboard.

Aeroplane Monthly 1978-07 / T.Jones - Aquila Airways

Short Solent 4 G-AOBL, Aotearoa, was sold to Portugal after the closure of Aquila in September 1958.

Jane's All the World Aircraft 1947 / All the world's aeroplanes

The Short Solent Commercial Flying-boat (four Bristol Hercules 637 engines).

Aeroplane Monthly 1979-12 / Tower Bridge cameos

Short S.45 Solent 3 G-AKNO, City of London, visited the Thames in May 1949 to mark the 30th anniversary of British air transport. G-AKNO was later sold to Trans Oceanic Airways Pty Ltd as VH-TOA, but sank off Malta during delivery in January 1951.

Air Pictorial 1956-01 / The journal of a roving spotter

Photographed in berth 50 at Southampton recently. the Solent 4, G-AOBL, is now operated by Aquila Airways, who obtained it from Tasman Empire Airways. The name "Aotearoa" is retained.

Aeroplane Monthly 1977-10 / Personal album

Short Solent 4 G-AOBL Aotearoa II was sold in Portugal in October 1958 by previous owners Aquila Airways. Anton Le Noble’s photograph was taken at Lisbon in May 1971, not long before the aircraft was broken up.

Aeroplane Monthly 1993-06 / J.Stroud - Short Solent /Post-war propliners/

Aquila Airways’ Solent 3 G-AKNU RMA Sydney at Capri on June 3, 1954, after inaugurating the airline’s service from Southampton via Marseilles.

Air Pictorial 1977-01 / J.Stroud - Looking Back at 'Boats

Aquila Airways Short Solent G-AKNU "Sydney" at Capri after operating the inaugural service from Southampton on 3rd June 1954

Jane's All the World Aircraft 1980 / Encyclopedia of Aviation - Aircraft A-Z - v5

Short Solent.

Air Enthusiast 2006-01 / E.Davies - California Solent /Flying boats and floatplanes/

Solent G-AKNP at Belfast, prior to the ferry flight to Australia. Note the TOA livery, while the name 'City of Cardiff' lingers.

Aeroplane Monthly 1978-07 / T.Jones - Aquila Airways

An Aquila Solent 4 arrives at Southampton Water with British civilians evacuated from Suez, August 1956. The Solent 4 was powered by four 2,040 h.p. Bristol Hercules 733 engines.

Aeroplane Monthly 1978-07 / T.Jones - Aquila Airways

Aeroplane Monthly 1993-06 / J.Stroud - Short Solent /Post-war propliners/

TEAL’s Solent 4 ZK-AMM RMA Ararangi taxying to its moorings at Belfast before delivery.

Мировая Авиация 156

Внизу: последний Solent 4 компании TEAL эксплуатировался до 1960 года - в последнее время он обслуживал только маршрут Фиджи - Таити. На снимке - ZK-AMO Aranui в районе Сувы, столицы Фиджи.

Air Pictorial 2002-05 / L.Ellyatt - From Berth 50 to Paradise

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: G-AHIN   [3]

Short Solent flying-boat, G-AHIN, docked at Southampton in the last great days of BOAC’s post-war Empire routes.

Aeroplane Monthly 1986-04 / J.Stroud - Wings of Peace

The hull of Sea Eagle G-EBGR (wrongly marked G-EBGS) being handed over to John Brancker, at Hythe, by Victor Paine, half-brother of Hubert Scott-Paine, in September 1949. In the back­ground is the Short Solent Somerset.

Другие самолёты на фотографии: Another planes on the photo: Supermarine Sea Eagle - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1923

Мировая Авиация 234

После того как в ноябре 1950 года компания BOAC прекратила эксплуатацию летающих лодок, самолеты Solent были проданы различным операторам, включая компанию "Aquila Airways", которая до 1957 года использовала их для полетов на Канарские острова. Изображенный Solent 3, G-AKNU, разбился 15 ноября 1957 года.

Aeroplane Monthly 1993-06 / J.Stroud - Short Solent /Post-war propliners/

Trans Oceanic Airways Solent 3 VH-TOB Star of Papua had been BOAC’s G-AKNP Sutherland. It is seen at Rose Bay, Sydney.

Aeroplane Monthly 1993-06 / J.Stroud - Short Solent /Post-war propliners/

Another view of TEAL’s Solent 4 ZK-AML.

Air Enthusiast 2006-01 / E.Davies - California Solent /Flying boats and floatplanes/

Somerset' G-AHIO leaving Belfast Lough on delivery via Southampton, Marseilles, Bitter Lakes, Karachi, Calcutta, Singapore, Surabaya and Darwin, November 1951. This machine became VH-TOD and then N9945F.

Aeroplane Monthly 1978-07 / T.Jones - Aquila Airways

The ill-fated Short Solent 3 G-ANKU, Sydney, ex NJ207, seen off Queen’s Island, Belfast, in December 1951.

Aeroplane Monthly 1978-07 / T.Jones - Aquila Airways

Singer Grade Fields was among those aboard Short Solent G-ANAJ City of Funchal when it took off from Southampton bound for Capri on its proving flight on May 21, 1954.

Aeroplane Monthly 1978-07 / T.Jones - Aquila Airways

Solent 3 G-AKNU seen taking off from Funchal. Photography courtesy of J. Arthur Dixon.

Aeroplane Monthly 1978-07 / T.Jones - Aquila Airways

Short Solent 4 G-ANAJ City of Funchal, about to alight on Southampton Water. In September 1956 this aircraft was damaged beyond repair when it broke free from its moorings at Santa Margherita.

Aeroplane Monthly 1993-06 / J.Stroud - Short Solent /Post-war propliners/

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: G-AHIN   [3]

The third Solent 2, G-AHIN Seaforth, later Southampton, alighting on Belfast Lough. This view shows particularly well the planing bottom and steps.

Aeroplane Monthly 1988-09 / Farnborough 1949

Another Short flying-boat, Solent G-AHIU RMA Solway, took time off from flying the South African route to take part in the display.

Aeroplane Monthly 1982-09 / ??? - Vintage Farnboroughs

BOAC Capt Upton, takes a break from flying on the South African route to demonstrate the Short Solent 2 G-AHIU in 1949.

Aeroplane Monthly 1978-07 / T.Jones - Aquila Airways

One of the aircraft Aquila did not acquire from BOAC was Short Solent G-AHIY, Southsea, seen flying from Rochester on April 9, 1948, and photographed by Charles E, Brown.

Aeroplane Monthly 1979-02 / J.Corlett - Short conversions

Solent 3 G-AKNO Seaforth, converted for BOAC, goes through its paces over Belfast Lough.
BOAC’s Solent 3 G-AKNO, still named Seaforth, on test at Belfast with repositioned stabilising floats attached by four struts.

Aeroplane Monthly 1993-06 / J.Stroud - Short Solent /Post-war propliners/

G-AHIR, BOAC’s Solent 2 Sark. It was withdrawn from use in May 1950 and was scrapped at Belfast two years later.

Aeroplane Monthly 1986-09 / ??? - At last! the 1948 show

Capt Alcock sails past in stately majesty in the Short Solent G-AHIM Scarborough. This senior BOAC pilot was the brother of John Alcock of Vimy/Atlantic fame.

Мировая Авиация 156

"Tasman Empire Airways" (TEAL) выявила склонность установленных на ее Sandringham моторов Twin Wasp к перегреванию и заменила эти самолеты на четыре новых Solent 4. ZK-AML стал первым из них и был назван в честь одной из первых купленных компанией летающих лодок семейства "Empire" - RMA Aotearoa II.

Aeroplane Monthly 1993-06 / J.Stroud - Short Solent /Post-war propliners/

ZK-AML, TEAL’s Solent 4 RMA Aotearoa II. After it was launched at Belfast, ’ML was named by HRH Princess Elizabeth on May 26, 1949.

Aeroplane Monthly 1992-01 / Personal album. Civil

A First Officer’s view of Solent 3 G-AKNU’s starboard inner Bristol Hercules 637 radial engine, taken over Central France on the last Aquila round trip of the Southampton-Genoa service.

Aeroplane Monthly 1978-07 / T.Jones - Aquila Airways

Aeroplane Monthly 1978-07 / T.Jones - Aquila Airways

Aeroplane Monthly 1987-10 / M.Oakey - Grapevine

Short Solent N9946F Halcyon floating majestically across San Francisco Bay - without getting its feet wet - on August 12, 1987

Aeroplane Monthly 1983-08 / P.Jarrett - Grapevine

Solent 3 N9946F Halcyon is semi-restored, but needs financial assistance in order to fly again.

Air Enthusiast 2006-01 / E.Davies - California Solent /Flying boats and floatplanes/

N9946F in 'Sea Horse' finish, Hawaii, 1954.

Air Enthusiast 2006-01 / E.Davies - California Solent /Flying boats and floatplanes/

Beached on the ramp at the former PanAm terminal area, N9946F at San Francisco International, December 1957.

Air Enthusiast 2006-01 / E.Davies - California Solent /Flying boats and floatplanes/

The three Solents, beached at the old Ford plant in Richmond, California, circa 1973.

Aeroplane Monthly 1977-10 / Personal album

Short Solent 3 N9947F, ex NJ2O5 and BOAC’s G-AKNT Singapore was photographed by N. Scherrer at Richmond, California, in May 1972. It was sold to the USA in 1955 and delivered to South Pacific Air Lines in November of that year. Originally stored at Oakland, it is seen shortly before being broken up

Aeroplane Monthly 1984-05 / P.Jarrett - Grapevine

Solent ZK-AMO and Sunderland NZ4115 dominate the line-up at New Zealand's Museum of Transport and Technology, Auckland.

Другие самолёты на фотографии: Another planes on the photo: Short Sunderland / S.25 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1937

Aeroplane Monthly 1993-07

BOAC Sandringhams and a Solent ready for scrapping at Hamworthy, Poole in the Fifties.

Другие самолёты на фотографии: Another planes on the photo: Short Sandringham - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1945

Aeroplane Monthly 1978-07 / T.Jones - Aquila Airways

Aquila boats undergoing maintenance at Hamble. Solent 4 G-ANYI Awatere, complete with spinners, stands in front of Sunderland 3 G-AGER Hadfield.

Другие самолёты на фотографии: Another planes on the photo: Short Sunderland / S.25 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1937

Aeroplane Monthly 1994-01 / Personal album. Civil

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: G-AHIN   [3]

Short S.45 Solent Mk 2 G-AHIN. BOAC’s Southampton. In 1950 'IN was converted to a Solent 3 and was renamed City of Southampton. In 1954 it was scrapped at Hamworthy near Poole.

Air Enthusiast 1992-12 / P.MacDougall - Medway Dynasty

Factory grouping around the last Solent 2 for BOAC, G-AHIY Southsea, 1948.

Aeroplane Monthly 1994-01 / Personal album. Civil

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: G-AKNT

Short S.45 Solent 3 G-AKNT, named Singapore, was first owned by the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation. In November 1955 it passed to South Pacific Airlines in Oakland, California, and became N9947F.

Aeroplane Monthly 1981-02

Short S.45 Solent 3 N9946F was originally built for the RAF as NJ203 and was purchased by BOAC, receiving its C of A on March 19, 1949. Registered G-AKNP and named City of Cardiff, the Solent remained with BOAC until January 1951 when it was sold to Trans-Oceanic Airways of Sydney, Australia, and registered VH-TOB. In June 1956 the Solent was sold to South Pacific Airlines but was acquired by the late Howard Hughes when an intended South Pacific service failed to materialise. Hughes was forced to move the boat from San Francisco to Oakland, California, where it kept company with two other derelict Solents. All three Solents were later sold to a local scrap dealer but N9946F was purchased by Preflite Oceanographic a couple of years ago and is currently under restoration to airworthy condition. The engines are in running order and the interior has remained untouched and is in perfect condition. It is now likely that the Solent will fly once more after spending 22 flightless years stranded high and dry out in the open.

Aeroplane Monthly 1981-02

Aeroplane Monthly 1981-02

Aeroplane Monthly 1993-06 / J.Stroud - Short Solent /Post-war propliners/

The flight deck of BOAC Solent G-AHIT. The pitch and throttle levers are located at the pedestal position - engine starting and propeller feathering are in the roof.

Aeroplane Monthly 1990-07 / A.Edney - California's Solent

The flight deck of sole surviving Solent 3 NJ203. Only one other Solent exists anywhere - Mk 4 ZK-AMO on static display at the Museum of Transport and Technology at Auckland, New Zealand.

Aeroplane Monthly 1993-06 / J.Stroud - Short Solent /Post-war propliners/

The upper deck cabin of a BOAC Solent 3.

Air Enthusiast 2006-01 / E.Davies - California Solent /Flying boats and floatplanes/

July 1990, Captain R C S 'Dick' Reid relaxes in his seat on the upper deck of the Californian Solent, on display at Oakland. Forty years earlier, he had been 'Master' of this same flying-boat, on its last scheduled flight from South Africa to the UK.

Aeroplane Monthly 1990-07 / A.Edney - California's Solent

Part of the passenger cabin, with table laid for dinner.

Air Enthusiast 2006-01 / E.Davies - California Solent /Flying boats and floatplanes/

The Solent's promenade desk.

Aeroplane Monthly 1990-07 / A.Edney - California's Solent

NJ203's "1940s BOAC classical" cocktail bar, bedecked with Pacific murals and complete with swizzle-sticks in the glasses.

Aeroplane Monthly 1981-02

Aeroplane Monthly 1974-02 / News Spotlight

Two Short Solents once owned by Howard Hughes lying derelict at Richmond, USA. This and a third aircraft, now dismantled, were earmarked <...> him for service with his South Pacific Air Lines, a venture that came to nothing. <...>ans are afoot to restore the Solent in the foreground.

Aeroplane Monthly 1977-10 / Personal album

Short Solent 2 G-AHIL Salisbury was converted to a Solent 3 and renamed City of Salisbury in 1950. Photo shows the flying boat moored at Hamworth near Poole in Dorset, where it was photographed by G. C. Bailey.

Aeroplane Monthly 1977-10 / Personal album

Short Solent 2 G-AHIL Salisbury was converted to a Solent 3 and renamed City of Salisbury in 1950. By April 1958, when photo was taken, the tail unit had been removed and G-AHIL was soon to be no more.

Air Pictorial 1956-12 / Photos by request

Mr. Apostolo's interesting letter and Air Pictorial's registrations expert's comments are published below. This photograph shows the extensive damage to G-ANAJ.

Aeroplane Monthly 1977-10 / Personal album

Short Solent 4 G-ANYI is seen on the banks of the River Tagus at Lisbon, Portugal, in August 1971, when it was photographed by Anton Le Noble. Previously ZK-AMN Awatere of TEAL, this aircraft was sold to Aquila in 1955 and then to the Portuguese company ARTOP in September 1958. It remained beached on the Tagus until broken up in 1971.

Aeroplane Monthly 1978-07 / T.Jones - Aquila Airways

This was the tragic scene on the Isle of Wight on the morning of November 16, 1957, Forty-three people died when Short Solent G-AKNU Sydney hit high ground at Shalcombe the evening before and was burned out.

Aeroplane Monthly 1993-06 / J.Stroud - Short Solent /Post-war propliners/

KEITH WOODCOCK’S painting shows Aquila Airways’ Solent 3 RMA Sydney.