Short S.38
Short Brothers · United Kingdom · first flew 1912 · light aircraft
The Short S.38 was an early British pusher biplane of 1912, used for experimental operations from ships and as a general-purpose naval aircraft in the opening years of aviation. It helped develop techniques for operating aircraft from warships.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 10.5 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Edwardian pusher biplane
- Engine and pusher prop mounted amidships
- Royal Navy early carrier trials aircraft
A typical Edwardian pusher biplane with the engine mounted behind the crew in a central nacelle, open framework tail booms, and a tractor-less nose.
Specifications
- The Short S.38 has a length of 10.5 m (34 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 16.5 m (54 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 110 km/h (68 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Built by Short Brothers at a time when naval aviation was in its infancy, the S.38 participated in early deck-landing and seaplane experiments with the Royal Navy. It was among the types used in the pioneering trials that led to the development of the aircraft carrier concept. The type was obsolete by the outbreak of World War I.
Variants
The S.38 was essentially a one-off or very small production type; no significant variants are recorded.
Where you'll see it
Used briefly by the Royal Naval Air Service for experimental operations around 1912–1913 before becoming obsolete.
Related aircraft
- Short S.80
- Short Type 184
- Short P.5 Kingston
- Short S.8 Calcutta
- Avro Type F
- Deperdussin TT
- Fokker A.I
- Morane-Saulnier G
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