Short Brothers Short S.45

Immagine: Wikimedia Commons

The Short S.45, which first flew in 1912, is a British seaplane trainer measuring 10.8 meters long with a 12.8-meter wingspan. Powered by a single engine achieving 96.6 km/h, the S.45 served the specialized role of introducing pilots to floatplane operations. Its water-landing capability required distinctive fuselage design and flotation considerations compared to conventional land aircraft. The S.45 represents Short Brothers' early expertise in maritime aviation, establishing institutional knowledge that informed later flying boat development and seaplane trainer design.