The Short Empire or S.23 was a passenger and mail carrying flying boat, of the 1930s and 1940s, which flew between Britain and British colonies in Africa, Asia and Australia. It was manufactured by Short Brothers and was the precursor to the more famous Short Sunderland of World War II.

The Empire was officially known as the C-class and each aircraft was christened with a name beginning with C. The first aircraft, G-ADHL 'Canopus', was completed in June 1936 and launched on 2 July. A total of 42 Empires were built, all at Short's Rochester factory.

Names of the Short S23 seaplanes include: Cavalier, Caledonia, Calpurnia, Cameronian, Canopus, Capella, Caribou, Cassiopeia, Castor, Centaurus, Corinna, Coogee, Coriolanus, and Corsair.

Imperial Airways (and its successor BOAC), Qantas and TEAL operated the Short Empire.

The Short Empire could carry 5 crew, 17 passengers, and 4,480 lb / 2035 kg of cargo. It had four Bristol Pegasus engines, each generating 910 hp / 680 kW. Its wing span was 114 ft / 35 metres and its length was 88 ft / 27 metres. It weighed 24,500 lb / 11 tonnes empty and 40,500 lb / 18 tonnes loaded. Its maximum speed was 174 knots / 320 km per hour.

List of aircraft

Military Operators

• Australia, United Kingdom.

References

• BOAC At War - Part 2 - Aeroplane Monthly - August 1975

External links

• T.E.A.L. Airline

British airliners 1930-1939 | Seaplanes and flying boats | Short Brothers aircraft

Short S. 23