On January 22, 1948, 74 years ago, the Short SA.6 Sealand had its first flight. The North Irish flying boat had an interesting story that included operations in countries like India and flying for carriers like Jat Airways from Yugoslavia. Let’s investigate further.
The birth of the Short SA.6 Sealand
Following World War II, flying boats were seen to have an interesting niche for commercial and military operations worldwide.
The aerospace company Short Brothers, based in Belfast, believed in the viability of flying boats and began developing one in July 1946. Short Brothers pitched the SA.6 as a five to seven passenger commercial amphibious aircraft.
The company officially launched the aircraft on January 19, 1948, and operated its first flight three days later. Short’s first SA.6 Sealand departed from the waters of Belfast Lough, piloted by the company’s Chief Test Pilot, Harold Piper.
Additional to the SA.6, Short proposed two other designs, which would have been the SA.7 and SA.8. Nonetheless, it only ever built the first one.
The design of the aircraft
Powered by a pair of de Havilland Gipsy Queen 70-3 inverted inline air-cooled piston engines, the SA.6 had a maximum speed of 301 km/h (187 mph). The engines were lowered to reduce drag.
The aircraft was a high-wing cantilever monoplane with two engines, a single fin, rudder, and wing-mounted stabilizing floats. According to aeropedia, the wing was a modified Gottingen 436 aerofoil. It was built in three parts and had TKS leading-edge de-icing boots.
While the aircraft performed reasonably ok, it was underpowered and had some initial aerodynamic problems.
Not particularly successful
Despite an extensive sales tour from Short Brothers, the SA.6 Sealand was a disappointment. Only 25 aircraft were ever produced throughout its history.
The prototype, which later received registration G-AKLM, remained with the company, participated in the King’s Cup race on July 28, 1949. Eventually, Shorts tried to use it on a sales tour of Scandinavia, but it crashed in Norway.
The aircraft crashed in Spangereid, in the Agder county, Norway. There were four people onboard, including two passengers and two crew members. As the SA.6 Sealand was approaching the south coast of the country, the seaplane hit the slope of a mountain. All four occupants were killed.
Throughout its history, ten operators acquired the SA.6 Sealand. The biggest customer was the Indian Navy by buying 10 Sealands in 1952, to an enhanced specification, which included dual controls, increased fuel capacity, and uprated engines. Short Brothers delivered all units between January and October 1953.
The Indian Navy used the aircraft for 12 years before retiring it. Until a few years ago, at least one SA.6 Sealand was on display at the Indian Naval Aviation Museum in Vasco da Gama, India. It is the only surviving example in India and one of the three known surviving Sealands in the world. The other two surviving aircraft are in Belgrade (at the Air Museum) and Northern Ireland, at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum.
Among the airlines that used the aircraft were West Norway Airlines, Aero Nord Sweden, and Jat Airways (Yugoslavia).
Do you know any interesting stories regarding the SA.6 Sealand? Let us know in the comments below.
