Взлетевший в мае 1918 года, гидросамолет Shirl стал последней разработкой "Short" времен Первой мировой войны. Построили всего четыре таких самолета.

Fairey’s contender, the Shirl, with torpedo gear but simple axle undercarriage.

The Shirl was designed to carry an 18in. torpedo. In the picture the container under the machine was intended for carrying mails, or a long-range tank could be carried instead.

The Short S.538, nicknamed Shamrock, was a development of the Shirl torpedo-bomber, and was built specially for an attempt on the first non-stop transatlantic flight. It suffered engine failure on its way to Ireland in April 1919, however, and by the time it had been repaired Alcock and Brown had made their historic Vickers Vimy flight that June.

На фото хорошо виден дополнительный бензобак.