S.8/1 Calcutta

The Short S.8/1 Calcutta was a pioneering British flying boat developed by Short Brothers in the early 1920s. Conceived to meet Air Ministry specification 8/1 for a ten‑seat, long‑range transport, the Calcutta first flew on 23 October 1920 and entered service with Imperial Airways in 1922. Its all‑metal hull, built using Short’s patented ‘Stressed Skin’ technique, gave the aircraft superior durability and reduced weight compared with contemporary wooden flying boats. Powered by three 385‑hp Rolls‑Royce Eagle IX engines mounted on the upper wing in a nacelle arrangement, the Calcutta could cruise at 100 mph and carry up to 1,200 lb of passengers and cargo over 800 nm. The spacious cabin featured panoramic windows and a small galley, providing unprecedented comfort for the era. Although only ten were built, the Calcutta proved essential for establishing regular air links between Britain, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East, demonstrating the viability of overseas scheduled air service. Its successful operation laid the groundwork for later Short flying boats such as the Southampton and the Odin, cementing Short Brothers’ reputation as a leader in maritime aviation. The Calcutta’s legacy endures as a milestone in the evolution of commercial maritime aviation.