
1917 – 1947
Rochester: 1917 - 1947
Rochester 1926 - 1928 (ii)
In 1926, following the fitting of a new design of metal hull to an otherwise standard ‘F’ Class flying boat, the Singapore 1, a completely ‘new’ aircraft emerged.
This new design was used to develop the civilian Calcutta flying boat that provided an extremely high standard of passenger comfort having amenities such as a wash basin, a proper lavatory, a buffet and cooking facilities.
A military version was also developed and was known as the Rangoon to be used for patrol duties with the Royal Air Force Londoners were treated to a close-up view of Britain’s latest commercial flying boat when in 1928 John Lankester Parker, Shorts Chief Test Pilot, with Oswald Short on board, put a Calcutta down on the River Thames at Westminster for the Members of Parliament to inspect.