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"Coolangatta" (which at that time was merely a small village) departs the famous Rose Bay flying boat base, circa 1938. She was originally allocated British registration G-AFBK which was later changed to VH-ABB for Qantas service. "Coolangatta" was later impressed into RAAF service as A18-13 and was later destroyed in October 1944 during a heavy landing at Rose Bay. (Qantas)
In Australian Service – Shorts flying boats
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The Short Empire Flying Boats Part I
Part Twenty in a Series Examining the Airliners That Established Civil Aviation in Australia
The Short Empire flying boats had a more dramatic period of operation than any other airliner that entered the Australian commercial airline service. Although their span of service was comparatively brief in terms of years, their exploits are without parallel.
Undoubtedly the outbreak of war had a profound effect on their careers and moulded them into many roles not foreseen when they were ordered. Had the war not intervened, they probably would have been viewed as just another sound aircraft making a useful contribution on the Qantas network. However, events were to completely remove any chance of such a sedate history.
The requirement for the Empire flying-boat arose from a heed to maintain the essential air link between Great Britain and Australia, with improved equipment. In the early 1930s the landplane had yet to develop sufficient range to be a serious contender for such a route. The best contemporary aircraft available were either the Armstrong Whitworth Atalanta or the more advanced Douglas DC-2. But they were essentially short-haul aircraft of fairly modest capacity.
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