Eighteenth Empire boat completed and flown by Short Bros at Rochester, Kent

Order placed by Imperial Airways, London

Completed as a S-23 Empire Class boat having 920 h.p. Bristol Pegasus Xc engines

It had an all-up weight of 40,500 lb, cruised at 164 m.p.h. with a range of 760 miles

First flown as G-AETY - July 28, 1937

Certificate of Registration Issued - July 30, 1937

Delivered to Imperial Airways, London - July 30, 1937

Aircraft named 'Clio'

Acquired by British Airways when Imperial Airways merged

Commandeered by the Royal Air Force for use by Coastal Command

Returned to Short Brothers and Harland at Belfast - 1941

Aircraft had flown 4,382 hours during her civilian life

Modified to incorporate gun turrets and an array of A.S.V. aerials on fuselage

Relaunched as AX-659 - March 12, 1941

Allotted to No.201 Squadron R.A.F. where it took part in long range reconnaissance patrols

Aircraft was lost when it crashed into the sea whilst on patrol - August 22, 1941

Aircraft had flown some 4,604 hours

G-AETY. Imperial Airways - in the original livery at Rochester, Kent, July 1937.

(R. N. Smith Collection via Shorts. 2545-267.)