Short Brothers Short S.38

Image: Wikimedia Commons

The Short S.38, which first flew in 1912, serves coastal patrol and training roles from the United Kingdom. This single-engine aircraft measures 10.8 meters long with a 15.8-meter wingspan, achieving 93.3 km/h with a 464-kilometer range. The S.38's practical configuration and reasonable endurance positioned it for patrol missions protecting coastal approaches and territorial waters. Its dual training-patrol purpose reflects the emerging military applications of powered flight during aviation's formative second decade, when navigation and observation capabilities attracted official interest.