“Beachcomber” – The Story of a Sandringham and Sunderland Civil Conversions Operated in Australia

Description

This booklet tells the story of one particular Short Sandringham – named 'Beachcomber', as well as providing details of the other Sunderland conversions that were in service in Australia. The Sunderland was a flying boat built by the Short aviation company in Belfast during the Second World War, and following the end of the conflict many of the aircraft were converted for civilian use, and became known as Short Sandringhams. The Beachcomber was named as such by Barrier Reef Airlines, who purchased the aircraft in the early 1950's. The company was subsequently taken over by Ansetts, and 'Beachcomber' remained in service all the way up to the mid 1970's, when the cost of keeping the aircraft running meant it was no longer viable to keep it in service. The aircraft was bought by the Science Museum and was brought back to the UK (and is now on display in Southampton, a place which has a long association with Flying Boats)