Three Royal Air Force flying boats — the Short S. 14 Sarafand, the Short S. 12 Singapore II and the Supermarine Southampton-are flying in the same formation. England, 1933. The biplane in the background is similar to the de Havilland DH. 60 Moth. Most likely, the picture was taken in the area of Felixstowe air base, where the experimental naval aviation station was located, during comparative tests of these seaplanes.
Similar-looking boats had different destinies. The experimental Short Sarafand was produced in a single copy and scrapped in 1936. The Short S. 12 Singapore II was also a loner, but became the basis for a more successful one (37 units built) Short S.19 / Singapore III. But the Supermarine Southampton was one of the most successful flying boats of the interwar period — 85 produced.
