Short S17 Kent

Because of political problems on its route to Cairo, Imperial Airways contracted Short Brothers to build three four-engine flying-boats which would have ample range, good capacity for high-revenue airmail and excellent accommodation for 15 passengers; selected powerplant was the 555 hp (414 kW) Bristol Jupiter XFBM. Designated Short S.17 Kent, the first of these 'boats entered service in May 1931, the others soon afterwards, and the aircraft were kept hard at work, each flying in excess of 4,000 miles (6437 km) per week. One was lost in August 1936 when it made a heavy landing and sank, another was an arson victim at Brindisi in November 1935, but the third survived to be scrapped in June 1938.

Production Details

Design Company:

Short Brothers (Rochester & Bedford) Ltd

First Flight:

24 February 1931

S.17 Kent:

3 - Short, Rochester

S.17L Landplane:

2 - Short, Rochester

Type Specification

Applies to:

Short S.17 Kent

Type:

Imperial Airways flying boat

Wing:

Three bay, unstaggered, unequal span biplane. Ailerons on all four wings

Hull:

Metal hull, mounted below lower wing

Tail Unit:

Braced monoplane type, with single fin and balanced rudder mounted above. Balanced elevators

Landing Gear:

None

Power Plant:

Four Bristol Jupiter XFBM air cooled radial piston engines between the wings

Accommodation:

15 passengers in cabin below the wings with steward. Enclosed cabin for crew of two pilots and a radio operator in nose

Dimensions

Span:

113 ft

Length:

78 ft 5 in

Height:

Unknown

Wing Area:

2,640 sq ft

Weights

Empty:

20,460 lb

All-up:

32,000 lb

Performance

Max Speed:

137 mph

Ceiling:

19,500 ft

Range:

450 miles