Short Brothers aircraft names C class Empire flying boat




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Flying Empires & details of aircraft drawings.


S.795 S.23 G-ADHL CANOPUS. 'Canopus is a city distant by land from Alexandria 120 stadia (22 miles). It has its name from Canopus, the pilot of Menelaus, king of Sparta, who died there'. The quotation is from Strabo the Geographer (64 BC-24 AD). Also the second brightest star (no.2326 apparent magnitude - 0.72 distance 300 light years).
The badge shows a Greek bireme under oar with sail furled and Canopus evident, aft.
Ordered 24 January 1935. Registered 17 June 1935. CoA 20 October 1936. Delivered 22 October 1936. Broken up Hythe. 23 October 1946.

S.804 S.23 G-ADHM CALEDONIA. The allusion is to Scotland and the notepaper had a two-line quotation from Lord Byron (1788-1824).
The badge shows a spray of thistle with two heads.
Ordered 27 May 1935. Registered 17 June 1935. CoA December 1936. Delivered 4 December 1936. Broken up Hythe.
23 March 1947.

S.811 S.23. G-ADUT CENTAURUS A-10 Some say the son of Apollo (Avro Ten G-ABLU) and father of the centaurs by the mares of Thessaly. Others say he was a hero with a serpent's tail.
The badge shows two centaurs being fed by a woman. Also the ninth brightest constellation.
Ordered 24 January 1935. Registered 7 October 1935. CoA 28 October 1936.
Delivered 7 December 1936.
Destroyed at moorings Broome WA. 3 March 1942.

S 812 S.23 G-ADUU CAVALIER. S. A quotation from a poem by William Wordsworth (1770-1850) headed the notepaper
'The cavalier was eager to depart.'.
The badge shows a cavalier, hatted and booted.
Ordered 27 May 1935. Registered 7 October 1935. CoA 26 November 1936.
Delivered 10 December 1936.
Crashed North Atlantic. 21 January 1939.

S.813 S.23 G-ADUV
CAMBRIA. The allusion is to Wales with another quotation from a poem by William Wordsworth.
Ordered 27 May 1935. Registered 7 October 1935. CoA 15 January 1937. Delivered 21 January 1937. Broken up Hythe. January 1947.

S.814 S.23 G-ADUW CASTOR. One of the twin sons of Zeus and Leda. The quotation was from T.E.Lawrence (1888 - 1935). Also the twenty-sixth brightest star (no. 2890 apparent magnitude 1.58 distance 45 light years).
The badge shows Castor on horseback.
Ordered 27 May 1935. Registered 7 October 1935. CoA 23 December 1936. Delivered 2 January 1937. Broken up Hythe.
4 February 1947.

S.815 S.23 G-ADUX CASSIOPEIA. Mother of Andromeda (AW XV G-ABTH) and subsequently transformed into a star by Poseidon. Also the twenty-fifth biggest constellation in the northern sky..
The badge shows Cassiopeia, cloaked.
Ordered 27 May 1935. Registered 7 October 1935. CoA 25 January 1937. Delivered 1 February 1937. Crashed Sabang
29 December 1941.

S.816 S.23 G-ADUY CAPELLA. A she-goat transformed into a star as a reward for supplying milk to the infant Jupiter. Also the sixth brightest star (no. 1708 apparent magnitude 0.08 distance 45 light years).
The badge shows an eight-pointed star.
Ordered 27 May 1935. Registered 7 October 1935. CoA 16 February 1937. Delivered 16 February 1937. Holed in Batavia harbour. 12 March 1939.



S.817 S.23 G-ADUZ CYGNUS. One of the many defenders of Troy killed by Achilles (Avro Ten
G- AASP). His spirit was changed by Poseidon into a swan. Also the sixteenth brightest constellation.
The badge shows a man-headed swan.
Ordered 27 May 1935. Registered 7 October 1935. CoA 1 March 1937. Delivered 3 March 1937. Crashed Brindisi.
5 December 1937.

S.818 S.23 G-ADVA CAPRICORNUS. A sign of the zodiac. Also the 40th brightest constellation in the southern sky.
Ordered 27 May 1935. Registered 7 October 1935. CoA 14 March 1937. Delivered 16 March 1937. Crashed Ouroux, France. 24 March 1937.

S.819 S.23 G-ADVB CORSAIR. A privateer of the Barbary coast. The quotation is from a poem by Lord Byron.
The badge shows a corsair, arms folded, legs astride.
Ordered 27 May 1935. Registered 7 October 1935. CoA 3 April 1937. Delivered 8 April 1937.
Broken up Hythe. 20 January 1947.

S.820 S.23 G-ADVC COURTIER.
Ordered 27 May 1935. Registered 7 October 1935. CoA 21 April 1937. Delivered 24 April 1937. Crashed Athens. 1 October 1937.

S.821 S.23 G-ADVD CHALLENGER. The quotation is from a poem by William Wordsworth.
The badge shows a medieval knight with drawn sword.
Ordered 27 May 1935. Registered 7 October 1935. CoA 8 May 1937. Delivered 6 May 1937.
Crashed Mosambique. 1 May 1939.

S.822 S.23 G-ADVE CENTURION. The quotation was from Julius Caesar (100-44 BC).
The badge shows a centurion with shield and drawn sword.
Ordered 27 May 1935. Registered 7 October 1935. CoA 29 May 1937. Delivered 29 may 1937.
Crashed Calcutta. 12 June 1939.

S.838 S.23 G-AETV CORIOLANUS VH-ABG. The hero of the play by William Shakespeare
(1564 - 1616).
The badge shows Coriolanus, his wife Vergilia and their son, Marcius.
Ordered 2 September 1935. Registered 1 March 1937. CoA 17 June 1937. Delivered 17 June 1937. Broken up Sydney. End of 1947.

S.839 S.23 G-AETW CALPURNIA. The daughter of Piso and wife of Julius Caesar. The quotation was from Plutach
(c.46 - c.120 AD).
The badge shows a Roman matron.
Ordered 2 September 1935. Registered 1 March 1937. CoA 28 June 1937. Delivered 30 June 1937. Crashed Lake Habbaniyah 27 November 1938.

S.840 S.23 G-AETX CERES. The quotation was from Ovid (43 BC-17 AD). Ceres was the giver of wheat to the world and the first law maker.
The badge shows Ceres, seated, holding a sheaf of corn in her right hand, outstretched.
Ordered 2 September 1935. Registered 1 March 1937. CoA 16 July 1937. Delivered 17 July 1937. Destroyed by fire at Durban. 1 December 1942.

S.841 S.23 G-AETY CLIO AX 659. One of the nine Muses, the proclaimer. The quotation was from Decius Magnus Ausonius (c.309-392).
The badge shows Clio declaiming from a scroll.
Ordered 2 September 1935. Registered 1 March 1937. CoA 26 July 1937. Delivered 30 July 1937. Crashed Loch Indal. 22 August 1941.


S.842 S.23 G-AETZ CIRCE. The sorceress in the Iliad who turned Odysseus' crew into swine during their return journey from the Trojan War.
The badge shows Circe with two swine at her feet.
Ordered 2 September 1935. Registered 1 March 1937. CoA 16 August 1937. Delivered 16 August 1937. Lost without trace between Broome and Tijlatjap. 28 February 1942.

S.843 S.23 G-AEUA CALYPSO A18-11. The daughter of Thetis and Oceanus who kept Odysseus captive for seven years on the mythical island of Ogygia on his way back to Ithaca from Trojan War.
The badge shows Calypso with left arm raised.
Ordered 2 September 1935. Registered 1 March 1937. CoA 26 August 1937. Delivered 27 August 1937. Crashed Daru Papua-New Guinea 8 August 1942.

S.844 S.23 G-AEUB CAMILLA.VH-ADU. Daughter of Metabus King of the Volsci. Protected by the goddess Diana, Camilla could run through grain without trampling it and through the sea without wetting her feet. She died in battle at the head of her company of Amazons. The quotation was from Alexander Pope (1688-1744). The badge shows Camilla about to fire an arrow from a bow.
Ordered 2 September 1935. Registered 1 March 1937. CoA 13 September 1937.
Delivered 13 September 1937. To QANTAS August 1942.
Crashed Port Moresby 22 April 1943.

S.845 S.23 G-AEUC CORINNA. A Greek poetess of Tanagra, flourishing c. 500 BC. A contemporary of Pindar
(c.522 - c.438 BC). The badge shows Corinna playing the harp.
Ordered 2 September 1935. Registered 1 March 1937. CoA 25 September 1937.
Delivered 29 September 1937.
Destroyed at moorings Broome WA 3 March 1942.

S.846 S.23 G-AEUD CORDELIA AX 660. Cordelia was a Duchess of Burgundy.
The badge shows the Duchess, arms outstretched.
Ordered 2 September 1935. Registered 1 March 1937. CoA 9 October 1937. Delivered 9 October 1937.
Broken up Hythe early April 1947.

S.847 S.23 G-AEUE CAMERONIAN. Allusions to Scotland. Originally named Cairngorm.
Ordered 2 September 1935. Registered 1 March 1937. CoA 23 October 1937. Delivered 23 October 1937.
Broken up Hythc. January 1947.

S.848 S.23 G-AEUF CORINTHIAN. A passing allusion, perhaps, to the Gulf of Corinth, well known to
crcws and passengers on the approach to, and departure from, Athens. Originally named Cotswold.
Ordered 2 September 1935. Registered 1 March 1937. CoA 9 November 1937. Delivered 6 November
1937. Crashed Darwin. 22 March 1942.

5,849 S.23 G-AEUO COOGEE VH-ABC A18-12. A suburb of Sydney NSW. Represented the State of New South Wales.
Originally named Cheviot. Name 'means mist rising from water'.
Ordered 2 September 1935. Registered 1 March 1937. CoA 8 January 1938. Delivered 3 January 1938. To QANTAS 20 April 1938.
Crashed Townsville Qld. 1 March 1942.

S.850 5.23 G-AEUH CORIO VH-ABD. Represented the State of Victoria. Originally named Coolin.
Ordered 2 September 1935. Registered 1 March 1937. CoA 10 February 1938.
Delivered 10 February1938. To QANTAS October 1938.
Shot down near Koepang. 30 January 1942.


S.851 S.23 G-AEUI COORONG VH-ABE. A lake in South Australia. Represented the State of South
Australia. Originally named Calpe.
Ordered 2 September 1935. Registered 1 March 1937. CoA 26 February 1938.
Delivered 26 February1938. To QANTAS September 1938.
Broken up Hythe. 10 February 1947.

.876 S.23-G-AFBJ CARPENTARIA VH-ABA. The Gulf of Carpentaria is a shallow inlet of the
Arafura Sea in North Australia. Represented the Territory of Northern Australia.
Ordered 27 April 1937. Registered 26 August 1937. CoA .Delivered 3 December 1937.
To QANTAS June 1938.
Broken up Hythc. l9 January 1947.

S.877 S.23 G-AFBK COOLANGATTA VH-ABB, A18-13. A town in Queensland. Represented the
State of Queensland. Name means 'high land overlooking water'.
Ordered 22 June 1937. Registered 26 August 1937. CoA 19 April 1938. Delivered 18 December 1937. To QANTAS
18 March 1938.
Crashed Sydney NSW. 11 October 1944.

S.878 S.23 G-AFBL COOEE VH-ABF. The long-distance communication call of the Australian
aboriginal in the bush. Represented the State of Tasmania.
Ordered 22 June 1937. Registered 26 August 1937. CoA 30 March 1938. Delivered 30 March 1938.
Broken up Hythe 2 February 1947.

S.879 S.30 G-AFCT CHAMPION.
Ordered 21 October 1937. Registered 15 November 1937. CoA 27 October 1938.
Delivered 28 October 1938.
Broken up Hythe. 16 March 1947.

S.880 S.30 G-AFCU CABOT V 3137. Sebastian Cabot (c1476- 1557) explorer, associated with Bristol,
voyages across the North Atlantic and the discovery of Newfoundland.
Ordered 21 October 1937. Registered 15 November 1937. CoA 8 March 1939. Delivered March 1939.
Destroyed near Bodø. 5/6 May 1940.

S.88 1 S.30 G-AFCV CARIBOU V 3138. The Canadian name for the wild reindeer.
Ordered 21 October 1937. Registered 15 November 1937. CoA - . Delivered 7 or 13 July 1939.
Destroyed Bodø. 5 May 1940.

S.882 S.30 G-AFCW CONNEMARA. A part of County Galway in the Republic of Ireland, bordering on the Atlantic coast.
Ordered 21 October 1937. Registered 15 November 1937. CoA 25 March 1939.
Delivered 25 March 1939.
Destroycd by fire Southampton Water. 19 June 1939.

S.883 S.3() G-AFCX CLYDE. A river in the west of Scotland, flowing through Glasgow and once
famous for its shipbuilding industry.
Ordered 21 October 1937. Registered 15 November 1937. C0A 29 March 1939. Delivered
30 March
1939. Wrecked Lisbon. 14 February 1941.

S.884 S.30 G-AFCY AWARUA. Originally named Captain Cook. Launched as ZK-AMA, named
AO-TEA-ROA, re-registered ZK-AMC & re-named AWARUA. Maori name for two arms of a harbour at the extremity of South Island used as a canoe landing.
Ordered 21 October 1937. Registered 15 November 1937. CoA - . Delivered 21 April 1939.
Broken up Auckland. after 1953.


S.885 S.30 G-AFCZ AUSTRALIA. Originally named Canterbury. Later re-named CLARE.
Ordered 21 October 1937. Registered 15 November 1937. CoA 6 April 1939. Delivered 24 April 1939.
Destroyed by fire off Bathurst, West Africa 14 /15 September 1942.

S.886 S.30 G-AFDA Launched as ZK-AMC AWARUA, delivered to TEAL as ZK-AMA AOTEAROA. Originally named Cumberland. Name means 'long white cloud'.
Ordered 21 October 1937. Registered 15 November 1937. CoA - . Delivered 25 May 1939.
Broken up Auckland. After October 1947.

S.1003 S.30 G-AFKZ CATHAY. The medieval European name for China.
Date of order not known. Registered 10 November 1938. CoA 26 February 1940.
Delivered 8 March 1940.
Broken up Hythc. 9 March 1947.

S.1025 S.33 G-AFPZ CLIFTON VH-ACD A18-14. A suburb of the city of Bristol.
Ordered 7 June 1939. Registered 27 January 1939. CoA Delivered 17 March 1940.
To QANTAS July 1943.
Crashed Sydney NSW 18 November 1944.

S. 1026 S.33 G-AFRA CLEOPATRA. Cleopatra VII ( 69-30 BC) Queen of Egypt.
Ordered 7 June 1939. Registered 27 January 1939. CoA 8 May 1940. Delivered 10 May 1940.
Broken up Hythe. 4 November 1946

S. 1027 S.33 G-AFRB. Never named.
Ordered 7 June 1939. Registered 27 January 1939. Hull stored 12 April 1940.
Scrapped 1943.