Prototype, registered Nov.1927. First flew 14 Feb.1928. To Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment, Felixstowe for trials 15 March 1928, after completion of which it landed on the Thames between Vauxhall and Lambeth Bridges on 1 August 1928 and was moored by Westminster Bridge for three days so that Members of Parliament could inspect an aircraft intended to forge important links across the Empire. Handed over to Imperial Airways 9 Aug.1928. During a night stop in Mirabello Bay, Crete on 28 Dec.1936 it was damaged beyond repair while moored in a storm and rough seas.

The prototype Rangoon, RAF serial S1433, spent its last days training Imperial Airways pilots, operated by Air Service Training. Scrapped at Hamble in 1938.

The Short S.8 Calcutta prototype, wearing the aircraft type name. Photo published in Flight in April 1929. Airframe named City of Alexandria by Imperial Airways. Bristol Jupiter engines eventually replaced by Armstrong Siddeley Tiger engines, see other picture.

Three Rangoons were flown to Australia to mark the centenary of Melbourne. They were moored off Saint Kilda beach close to the heart of the city rather than at distant RAAF Point Cook. Photo from: State Library of Victoria

A flight of three Rangoons flew from Basra (Iraq) to Melbourne to mark the centenary of the Victorian capital. The feat was overshadowed by the Mildenhall-Melbourne air race, the DH.88 Comet racers and the drama involving KLM DC-2 PH-AJU. According to contemporary reports, the trio of Rangoons were anchored off St Kilda beach, not at the RAAF's flying boat base at Point Cook. Photo from: State Library of Victoria

'Pilots of Imperial Airways who are to make experimental flights [using Short Empire flying boats] in preparation for the proposed transatlantic air service are undergoing special training at Hamble, near Southampton.' This machine was the Calcutta prototype, first flown on 14 February 1928. It entered Imperial Airways service on 9 August 1928 and was damaged beyond repair in December 1936 in a storm while moored in the Gulf of Mirabello, Crete. Photo from: Toronto Star

Short Calcutta flying boat on the Nile before departure with King Albert of Belgium on board who was travelling to the Congo. Photo from: Library of Congress