Short S.14 Sarafand
Short Brothers · United Kingdom · first flew 1932 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Short S.14 Sarafand was a British biplane flying boat built by Short Brothers. It was planned as a general reconnaissance aircraft for military service.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 6 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 27.25 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Biplane flying boat of 36.6 metres span
- Six Rolls-Royce Buzzard engines in three tractor and pusher pairs
- Largest aeroplane in the United Kingdom when built in 1932
Look for an enormous biplane flying boat with six engines mounted in three tractor and pusher pairs.
Specifications
- The Short S.14 Sarafand has a length of 27.25 m (89 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 36.58 m (120 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 241 km/h (150 mph).
- Typical crew: 9.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Oswald Short first proposed it in 1928 as an enlarged development of the Singapore II, with transatlantic range. It was built under Air Ministry specification R.6/28 and was the largest aeroplane in the United Kingdom when built in 1932. It first flew on 30 June 1932.
Variants
Only one Sarafand, the prototype, was built.
Where you'll see it
The prototype was flown by the Royal Air Force and retired in 1936. Its crew of nine included four gunners with Lewis guns on Scarff rings.
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- Short S.16 Scion
- Short S.17 Kent
- Short L.17 Scylla
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- Breda Ba.16
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