Aeroplane Monthly 1978-03
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B.Gunston - Short's unwanted Shetland
The Shetland I, DX166, on the step and almost off the water, probably at Kingsnorth in 1945. The sea camouflage paint scheme was later changed to an overall silver scheme, in which state it arrived at MAEE Felixstowe in October 1945 for service trials.
Shetland I DX166 over Kingsnorth on February 15, 1945, flown by Geoffrey Tyson.
The two port 2,500 h.p. Bristol Centaurus engines of the Shetland I, seen from the flight deck. The inner engines on the Shetland II drove reversible-pitch airscrews to assist manoeuvring on water.
The Shetland II, G-AGVD, nearing completion at Rochester in June 1947. It was launched on September 15 that year and was first flown by Tom Brooke-Smith and Harold Piper two days later.
The Shetland II seen during its first flight on September 17, 1947, over south east England. The final interior layout gave accommodation for only 40 passengers in an aircraft with an all-up weight of 130,000lb.
The Shetland II was ferried to Belfast for interior furnishing after preliminary trials. In 1951 it was scrapped at Queen's Island.
The role of the Shetland was changed from heavily-armed reconnaissance to unarmed transport, and the turrets were never installed. The nose and tail cupolas were faired over with sheet metal.
Shetland I DX166 being flown by Geoffrey Tyson at Kingsnorth on February 15, 1945.
The spacious flight deck of the Shetland had stations for five crew and two rest bunks. The view from the fully glazed canopy was excellent, particularly dead astern.
The Saro A.37 Shrimp G-AFZS, completed at Cowes in late 1939 and first flown in 1940.