Singapore Flying Boats

[NCO31B]

Very short thread this time!

The Short Singapore entered service with the RAF in 1934 and only 37 were built in total due to pre-war development of more modern aircraft.

The Singapore Mk III was a biplane seaplane with 4 x Rolls-Royce Kestrel engines and it's primary role was air-sea rescue and ant-submarine work.

The Singapore was armed with 3 x 7.7mm Lewis machine guns 1,100 lb of bombs.

This example is a Singapore Mk III of 203 Squadron RAF 1940.

View attachment 455825

This example is a Singapore Mk III of 204 Squadron RAF 1938.

View attachment 455826

This example is a Singapore Mk III of 5 Squadron RNZAF 1940.

View attachment 455827

I'm trying to follow the history of what happened to each of the individual Singapore II Flying Boats left behind by the RAF 203 squadron at Aden, Yemen after they converted to Bristol Blenheim aircraft. I understand that the serial numbers of the Singapore III's that were left behind when the squadron left were K4577, K6907, K6913, and K8858. Does anyone know what how each was used before each one was struck off charge in 1940?

 

[buffnut453]

I would think the Air Britain "The K-File" book should provide a decent starting point. It's an expensive tome but, depending on where you live, you might be able to order it through inter-library loan.

 

[Geoffrey Sinclair]

Second the K file, otherwise it is ask the RAF museum for copies of the relevant form 78 cards for the serials.

203 squadron transitioned from Singapore to Blenheim in March 1940. Nominal flying boat strength was 6. Neither Iraq not Middle East Command report Singapore on strength March 1940 onwards.

K4577 SOC 28 Mar 40
K6907
K6912 Far East 31 Aug 40
K6913 SOC 20 Dec 40
K8858 to Middle East 26 Apr 40 SOC 12 Dec 40, no mention of this aircraft in late 1939 and early 1940 squadron records.

As of 31 August 1939 Singapore squadrons were 203 in Iraq and 205 in the Far East, the latter until October 1941.

 

[buffnut453]

Second the K file, otherwise it is ask the RAF museum for copies of the relevant form 78 cards for the serials.

203 squadron transitioned from Singapore to Blenheim in March 1940. Nominal flying boat strength was 6. Neither Iraq not Middle East Command report Singapore on strength March 1940 onwards.

K4577 SOC 28 Mar 40
K6907
K6912 Far East 31 Aug 40
K6913 SOC 20 Dec 40
K8858 to Middle East 26 Apr 40 SOC 12 Dec 40, no mention of this aircraft in late 1939 and early 1940 squadron records.

As of 31 August 1939 Singapore squadrons were 203 in Iraq and 205 in the Far East, the latter until October 1941.

Thanks for those details Geoffrey. It seems like K6912 had an interesting life. After service with 205 Sqn in Singapore it was transferred to 5 Sqn RNZAF conducting patrols from Fiji until perhaps 1943.

Here's a pic of it in RNZAF markings:

https://fullfatthings-keyaero.b-cdn.net/sites/keyaero/files/styles/article_body/public/inline-images/RNZAF%20Short%20Singapore.jpeg?itok=OzWhxne2

 

[Barf]

I'm trying to follow the history of what happened to each of the individual Singapore II Flying Boats left behind by the RAF 203 squadron at Aden, Yemen after they converted to Bristol Blenheim aircraft. I understand that the serial numbers of the Singapore III's that were left behind when the squadron left were K4577, K6907, K6913, and K8858. Does anyone know what how each was used before each one was struck off charge in 1940?

Here is a potted history of K6912's RNZAF Service from the ADF page NZDF-Serials Short Singapore

K6912

S.823

Delivered to Felixstowe on 22 May 1936. To No.230 Squadron 03 August 1936 and sent to Far East with the Squadron on 14 October 1936. To No.203 Squadron coded NT-D on 29 September 1938. Rebuilt and test flown on 21 December 1939. Left Aden for Singapore on 07 May 1940. To No.205 Squadron coded FV-V 15 May 1940. To RNZAF 14 October 1941 as K6912. Procured as a stop-gap measure pending arrival of Catalinas, NZ serials never allocated. Ferried Singapore to Fiji 13 December - 24 December 1941 for use by No. 5 G(GR) Squadron. Coded OT-A. Final flight 16 April 1943. Withdrawn from use and scuttled in 300 feet of water at Lauthala Bay, Fiji.