A colour study of PP127 “L” during beaching operations.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Short Sunderland / S.25 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1937

Last of the dinosaurs: a silhouetted Sunderland over the Straits of Johore during its return from a sortie.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Short Sunderland / S.25 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1937

Leaving its tail trolley in the shallows, RN303 heads for the buoy under the power of its two outer engines.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Short Sunderland / S.25 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1937

Sunderlands undergo major servicing in the second-line hangar, Seletar, 1958.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Short Sunderland / S.25 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1937

Bristling with machine-guns, the Sunderland was nicknamed "The Flying Porcupine" by the Germans from the outbreak of World War Two. In its later operational years, though, with no aerial opposition to contend with in the Malayan Emergency, the aircraft’s turrets were armed only for display purposes, as seen here on RN270 "K” at Seletar Open Day in August 1958.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Short Sunderland / S.25 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1937

Bristling with machine-guns, the Sunderland was nicknamed "The Flying Porcupine" by the Germans from the outbreak of World War Two. In its later operational years, though, with no aerial opposition to contend with in the Malayan Emergency, the aircraft’s turrets were armed only for display purposes, as seen here on RN270 "K” at Seletar Open Day in August 1958. The Lindholme survival gear, seen on the port bomb rack in this instance, was usually stowed on the starboard bomb rack. Note the fixed forward-firing guns in the nose of the hull.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Short Sunderland / S.25 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1937

Looking spick and span after a major service, RN303 rests on its beaching gear before relaunch.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Short Sunderland / S.25 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1937

Sunderland RN303 with a crew launch alongside, showing how the propellers were “dressed” with a single top blade vertical to avoid contact with launches or personnel.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Short Sunderland / S.25 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1937

After major servicing, ML797 undergoes engine runs on the pan, the area in which most of the aircraft were destined to end their days. This was the RAF’s last flying Sunderland; initially earmarked for preservation, it was scrapped in mid-1959.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Short Sunderland / S.25 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1937

“Watercrew” remove the tail trolley of PP127 “L” after launching. That wickedly positioned antenna caused more than one injury on the squadron.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Short Sunderland / S.25 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1937

Two aircraft out at the moorings. Note the mast for the mooring light, a nautical necessity removed before flight.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Short Sunderland / S.25 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1937

A poor but significant photograph: ML797 makes the RAF’s final Sunderland take-off on May 16, 1959.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Short Sunderland / S.25 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1937

The navigator’s station was on the port side of the upper deck.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Short Sunderland / S.25 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1937

The Sunderland’s “front office” was state-of-the-art in 1939. The attachment just visible on the left of the pilot’s control wheel combines a shielded trigger for the bomb release and camera and a radio transmit button.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Short Sunderland / S.25 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1937

In-flight catering, Sunderland style; cuisine by HP.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Short Sunderland / S.25 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1937

“Mike”, SZ572, became a donor of spares to the remainder of the squadron, a fate which befell all of the Sunderlands until the scrapman finished the job.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Short Sunderland / S.25 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1937

The remains of Seletar’s Sunderland “Kipper Fleet” following the type’s withdrawal from service.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Short Sunderland / S.25 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1937

This Sunderland cutaway by J.H. Clark depicts a Mk I. It was first published in The Aeroplane of January 25, 1939. The circled labels A to F refer to structural detail sketches which accompanied the original drawing but are not reproduced here.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Short Sunderland / S.25 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1937