In addition to two prototypes, sixty Short SB.6 Seamews were ordered in 1953 however only twenty four eventually flew, the remainder of the contract being cancelled in 1957. XE171 was first flown on 15th August 1955 and appeared at Farnborough less than one month later. The aircraft ended its days with the Aircraft Holding Unit at Lossiemouth in 1958 and was sold as scrap in July 1959. Photo by John Fricker.

The Seamew was designed in 1951 as a lightweight anti-submarine aircraft. It first flew on August 23, 1954, but due to a shift in defense strategy and poor aircraft performance, it never went into service and only 24 frames had flown before the program was cancelled. Unfortunately, none of the aircraft were preserved after 1967. Judging other online photos, the location could have been Farnborough (in 1955), but I'm not sure. If you know/are the photographer of this photo, please contact me.

The prototype Seamew light anti-submarine aircraft displaying at the 1953 SBAC show. The fixed undercarriage and deck-landing hook are visible. The type did not go into squadron service.

The prototype Short Seamew demonstrating at the 1954 Farnborough Air Show. This view clearly shows its planform with fixed tailwheel undercarriage. This erstwhile anti-submarine type did not enter operational service with the Royal Navy as had been intended.