The S.26 was designed as an enlarged Short C-Class Empire flying boat, also incorporating features from the Short Sunderland. Greater use of extrusions in the structure, rather than bent sheet sections, compared to the C-Class aircraft, helped to keep the weight down. It was powered by four 1,400 hp Bristol Hercules sleeve valve radial engines, and it was designed with the capability of crossing the Atlantic without refuelling, and was intended to form the backbone of Imperial Airways' Empire services. The plan was for the first aircraft to make long range runs, the second would operate medium length flights with a dozen passengers, and the third would make short range trips with 24 passengers. It could fly 6,000 miles unburdened, or 150 passengers for a "short hop". The S.26/M version had defensive armament of 12 0.303 inch machine guns in two dorsal, and one tail, Boulton Paul BPA Mk II four-gun turrets. Offensive armament was eight 500 lb bombs under the wings. There was internal stowage for 20 reconnaissance flares, 28 flame floats and 8 smoke floats. Air to Surface Vessel radar was fitted, plus armour plating for the internal fuel tanks and the crew stations.
Operational history
On 21 July 1939, the first aircraft,, was first flown at Rochester by Shorts' chief test pilot, John Lankester Parker. On 24 February 1940, the second flew, and the third flew on 8 July 1940. Although two aircraft were handed over to Imperial Airways for crew training, in 1940 all three were impressed into the RAF, before they could start civilian operation. They were modified by Shorts to S.26/M military configuration before delivery to the RAF as X8275, X8274 and X8273 respectively. After modification at Rochester, Air to Surface Vessel RDF was fitted by Blackburn Aircraft Limited at Dumbarton in Scotland. From 1941, the S.26/Ms served with No. 119 Squadron RAF and No. 10 Squadron RAAF, flying stores to Gibraltar and the Middle East. On 20 June 1941, X8274 was lost off Cape Finisterre, when it broke up following a heavy forced landing, due to the simultaneous failure of two engines. In December 1941, Golden Horn and Golden Hind were returned to BOAC, and fitted out for 40 passengers in 'austerity' seating, then operated between the UK and Nigeria. On 9 January 1943, Golden Horn was lost at Lisbon, when an engine seized and caught fire on a test flight, following an engine overhaul. Golden Hind was employed on other routes in UK and West Africa until the end of the war, and remained in service with BOAC until retired in 1947. From 1947 until 1954 it lay moored in Rochester Harbour near its birthplace, where it had made its first flight. In 1954, it ran aground at Harty Ferry on the Isle of Sheppey whilst on tow to a new anchorage. It was eventually scrapped due to hull damage.
