Built to test Saunders' metal hull design by replacing the wooden one on a Supermarine Southampton II. The new hull showed signs of structural weakness after 50 hours. Despite strengthening, the hull continued to deteriorate and the test program ended at 75 hours. Saunders persisted with the design and the same construction technique was used on the Cutty Sark, Cloud, Windhover and London. Photo from: Air Force Museum of New Zealand

S1039 was one of two Southamptons that undertook a flight from the UK to Egypt to demonstrate the capabilities of the new flying boat. Photo from: Imperial War Museums

Withdrawn from use about 1939. Photo from: State Library of Victoria

This photo was taken early in A11-2's service when it still had the RAF serial on the fin. The open, calm waters makes Point Cook, the aircraft's base, the likely location but it is not stated. In Brisbane the Southamptons used the Brisbane River, which is less than 300m wide. A11-2 continued flying with the RAAF, on and off, until 1939 when is disappears from the records. Presumed burnt. Photo from: State Library of Queensland

A truly incredible exhibit at the RAF Museum, unfortunately preserved without wings. Designed by R J Mitchell, (the designer of the Spitfire) the Southampton first entered RAF service in 1925. Eighteen Mk 1s were built with the gorgeous all-wooden (cedar and mahogany) hull remeniscent of the contruction of a boat. Southamptons were in RAF service for 11 years. This is the world's sole surviving example. restored after being beached in Felixstowe for many years. The later MkII had an aluminium hull and 40 of those were built.