Short Sandringham

Sunderland 3 OQZF/ML788 was converted to become Sandringham 1 G-AGKX Himalaya.

BOAC's Sunderland III G-AGKX unpainted, carrying RAF markings, a Speedbird on the bows and Transport Command code OQZF.

ML788 - единственный Sandringham Mk 1. Хорошо видны опознавательные знаки британских ВВС, военные номера и эмблема компании BOAC под кабиной.

Originally a Short S.25 Sunderland, G-AGKX was operated by BOAC during the latter half of the war bearing the marks ML788/OQZF until converted to a Sandringham I in 1945. Named Himalaya, it soldiered on with BOAC until purchased by Aquila Airways. This company flew the aircraft for four years until it was withdrawn from use in March 1953. It is seen at Hamble on July 25, 1953, a week before being reduced to produce.

Plymouth class Sandringham 5 G-AHZB Portland for BOAC, seen during take-off from Belfast Lough.

Sandringham 5 G-AHZB Portland of BOAC about to touch-down. It was built initially as Sunderland III NJ171 by Blackburns.

BOAC’s Sandringham 5 G-AHZC Pembroke taking off from Southampton Water in 1947.

BOAC’s Sandringham 5 G-AHZD Portmarnock poised to alight in October 1949.

An evocative view of BOAC's Short Sandringham 5 G-AHZD Portmarnock, taken in October 1949.

G-AGKX was converted into the sole Sandringham 1 and named Himalaya.

Short Sandringham 2.

The first Sandringham 2 for Compania Argentina de Aeronavegacion Dodero of Buenos Aires, G-AGPZ Argentina, on Belfast Lough, November 1945.

Dodero was the first customer for the Sandringham. G-AGPZ, later LV-AAO, was the first Short & Harland conversion. Here it is taking off from Belfast Lough.

The Short Sandringham II Commercial Flying-Boat (four 1,200 h.p. Pratt & Whitney Twin-Wasp engines).

The Bermuda-class Sandringham 7 G-AKCO after being prepared for Capt Sir Gordon Taylor's Pacific cruises.

DNL - Norwegian Air Lines' Short Sandringham LN-IAU "Bamse Braker"at Hommelvik, Trondheim, 16th May 1949, while on an Oslo-Tromso service

Sister ship LN-IAV Kvitbjorn makes an impressive sight during a take-off run.

Sandringham LN-IAW Bukken Bruse, the second for Norwegian Airlines DNL Oslo, on test in May 1947.

DNL’s Sandringham 6 Bukken Bruse. The ASV radar may be seen beneath the starboard wingtip.

Sandringham Mk 4 ZK-AMB Tasman takes off.

TEAL's Sandringham 4 Tasman.

TEAL’s Sandringham 4 Australia.

"Tasman Empire Airways Ltd" заказала четыре прошедших ремонт и модификацию Sandringham Mk 4 для замены парка летающих лодок семейства "Empire". В 1946 году был поставлен второй самолет - изображенный здесь ZK-AMD Australia.

Over Belfast, after conversion for TEAL as Auckland, 1947

The Qantas Sandringham 4 VH-EBX had been TEAL's ZK-AMB.

Ansett's Sandringham VH-BRC "Beachcomber" on the lagoon at Lord Howe Island, 10th November 1959. This aircraft is now operated by Antilles Air Boats as VP-LVE

With Ansett as Beachcomber, 1968

Antilles Air Boats' Sandringham 4, VP-LVE "Southern Cross", formerly JM715, ZK-AMH, VH-BRC and N158C, photographed at Poole Harbour 23/8/76. It arrived at Foynes, near Shannon, 8/7/76 and gave pleasure flights at Studland Bay, near Poole, 24-29/8/76

Sandringham N158C began life as Sunderland III JM715. It was converted into a Sandringham in 1947 and has served with Tasman Empire Airways as ZK-AMH, with Ansett Airways as VH-BRC and with Antilles Air Boats as VP-LVE.

Another former Ansett machine, Excalibur VIII operated only one service with Antilles Air Boats, on January 15, 1975, and was little used otherwise owing to certification problems. Seen here at Rose Bay in 1974 with temporary registration N156J, the flying-boat now resides at Kermit Weeks’s Fantasy of Flight Museum.

As N158C, moored in Pago Pago Harbour, American Samoa, November 29, 1974

Southern Cross on beaching gear. Rose Bay, November 1974

Short Sandringham c/n 2018, formerly ZK-AMH (1947-49) with TEAL and VH-BRC with Ansett Flying Boat Services (1952-74), was acquired by Blair's Antilles Air Boats in September 1974. It is seen here at Rose Bay, Sydney, with temporary American registration N156C, before its departure for the Virgin Islands that November.

Short S.25 Sandringham 4 VP-LVE Southern Cross arrived at Foynes, Ireland, on July 8, 1976, for a prolonged stay in the UK.

Registered VH-BRC, but renamed Southern Cross, 1974

On July 8, 1976, Antilles Air Boats' Short Sandringham VP-LVE alighted in the Shannon Estuary at Foynes, Co Clare, after a flight from the Virgin Islands. It will return early in September.

Sunderland V NZ4108 after conversion to Sandringham standard for service with Ansett Flying Boat Services, registered VH-BRF and named Islander.

Sunderland G-BJHS performing a low pass along Gatwick Airport's runway in the hands of Ken Emmott. The former BOAC Hythe pilot reports that he subsequently received a mock bill for £21,650, comprising £20,000 to cover repairing the groove in the runway, £1,500 for medical attention to those watching, and £150 for laundering spectators’ trousers.

Sunderland G-BJHS on a local flight from its Calshot base on September 18, 1991. It failed to sell at Sotheby's six days later, although bidding reached £320,000.

The Sunderland was moved to Southampton on October 19, 1982.

Two photographs of Edward Hulton's Short Sunderland V, G-BJHS, taken during its flight from Calshot to Rochester on November 20, 1984.

Edward Hulton’s Short Sunderland G-BJHS en route from CaLshot to Rochester on November 20, 1984. FRANCOIS PRINS photo.

Robin A. Walker's picture shows G-BJHS, with inner engines stopped, shortly after passing beneath Tower Bridge on August 6, 1982

The plate of the Sunderland was taken by Francois Prins a few days after its arrival in the Thames.

Edward Hutton's ex-Antilles Air Boats' Short Sunderland N158J seen at Lough Dergh, Ireland, en route for Marseilles from the West Indies on May 17, 1981.

G-BJHS with the Ryanair logo painted out in white emulsion at Hythe on August 25, 1989.

Short Sunderland V Excalibur VIII emerges from the Solent on December 13, 1982. The boat will remain at Calshot until April this year. The beaching was carried out by men from the REME at Marchwood, led by Warrant Officer Ray Bevan.

Former Antilles Air Boats' Short Sandringham, N158C, seen at Calshot earlier this year where it is currently under restoration

Making a welcome return to the UK is the former Antilles Air Boats' Short Sandringham, N158C, seen here at Calshot on February 2, 1981 after a ferry flight from Eire. The Transport Trust is sponsoring restoration and is looking for a permanent display site.

Destined to be based in the UK Short Sandringham N158C, ex VP-LVE, is seen here at Killalve, Ireland, where it arrived from Gander Lake on October 24, 1980 en route to Calshot.

View alt from the astro dome of "Barnse Braker" as it neared Tromso, having come through the mountain gap on the left

Пассажиры Sandringham компании TEAL на причале гидроаэродрома на острове Вануа-Леву, втором по величине острове Фиджи. В сентябре 1951 года Sandringham все еще обслуживали острова Кука и Таити.

Сохранившийся в летном состоянии пассажирский "Сандринхэм" и его комфортабельный верхний салон. Современные снимки

Southern Cross en route to Southampton Docks.

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

An unidentified Sandringham I seen at Hamble on July 25, 1953.

Short Sandringham N158J Excalibur, which last served with Antilles Air Boats, is now being refurbished at Isla Grande Airport, San Juan, prior to its return to the British Isles, and, reportedly, the British Register!

Second Prize goes to P. Holmes of Newport, Isle of Wight, for his view from the cabin of Short Sandringham Southern Cross taking off from the Solent in September 1977.

Owned by Antilles Air Boats and based in the Virgin Islands, the boat was flown in by Capt Charles Blair, accompanied by his wife, Maureen O’Hara. The Sandringham arrived over Studland Bay, Dorset, on July 23, 1976, but owing to difficult seas it was unable to land there and put down at nearby Poole Harbour for the night.