FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1945
1945 - 1384.PDF
JULY 19TH, 1945 FLIGHT Short t is i Sandringliaiii Sunderland's Civil Version ; Improved Form and Interior FEW aircraft types have ever rendered such excel-lent and versatile service both in peace and at war asShort flying boats. In pre-war days the entire family of boats was the mainstay of Empire air communications and nothing has more enhanced the prestige and popularity of British air lines than these thoroughbreds. What the future has in store for the flying boat is not within the province of this article to speculate. But one is tempted to venture a forecast that if commercial traffic i to be supported by such excellent types as the Shetland, ently reviewed in this journal, the flying boat will hold its own. It is encouraging to see, however, that for the interim period as well there will be no dearth of efficient flying boats. For this transition phase the Short Sandringham is an admirably executed job which, if available in required numbers, should be of great service to the revival of Com- monwealth air communications. The Sandringham is, of course, a conversion and the primary airframe structure is identical with the civil version of the Sunderland III. An aerodynamically improved form is secured by the redesigned bow and tail and the disad- vantages of military characteristics eliminated. Outside this, the main modifications introduced in the Sandringham which make it different from the Sunderland III are con- fined to secondary structural changes. The object of these modifications was to provide accom- modation for 24 passengers by day and 16 by night as well as stowage for mail and freight, and it is with this object and to ensure up-to-date standards of comfort, that the interior and equipment have been completely altered. All these alterations, one is glad to record, have been influ- enced by the operational experience of the B.O.A.C. The Sandringham's flight deck is essentially the same in V DIMENSIONS : Span 112.8ft.; Aspect Ratio7.53; Wing area (gross) 1,687sq.ft., nett 1,487 sq. ft. its layout as in previous Sunderland conversions. Side-by- side dual flying-controls are provided with each seating position modelled on the Empire boat, thus ensuring an undisturbed field of vision. Accessible to each position is a centrally-located control pedestal embodying engine, air- screw and other hand controls. In conformity with B.O.A.C. requirements the pilots' instrument panel Ijas been replaced by a new unit. Immediately behind the pilots' seats, to starboard, is the commodious navigator's station, and the wireless operator's station is to port. The latter has been modified to bring it in line with modern needs and equipment. Further down is the flight engineer who is seated to starboard facing aft, and who has also been provided with an improved layout of the instrument panel. Across the gangway, to port, is the rest room for the Sandringham's crew of seven. Mooring operations are conducted from a hatch in the extreme bow compartment, while another hatch located between the pilots' seats provides access from the flight deck to the lower deck which is, in the main, reserved for the " pay load." Passenger Accommodation Passenger accommodation comprises three main cabins on the lower deck in which seating is arranged for 16 pas- sengers and night accommodation for a total of twelve, as well as a dining room on the upper-deck seating eight or accommodating four passengers for sleeping. The main passenger door, situated in the port bow, leads to three main cabins which are distinguished by their well- planned interior and finish, designed to the requirements of the B.O.A.C. A feature which will be welcomed by many a traveller is the design and location of the windows which afford an excellent view from each seat.
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
