pegasus

This might be of interest ... photos of Hollywood star Douglas Fairbanks, Snr visiting Foynes in 1939. Apparently a young JFK was in the plane as well [http://www.flickr.com/photos/ngmcd/sets/72157623815287102/]

Dear naechsterhalt, truly the sucess of munsterset by encouraging wider involvement in history wonderful contribution.

What a wonderful sight this must have been - and still is.

The aircraft on the left,G-ADHK, is the Short S.21 "Maia", which was used to carry the smaller S.20 seaplane (named "Mercury") piggy-back style. The aircraft in the background is another Short flying boat (but not "Mercury").

There is no "small seaplane" in this photo.

What make of seaplane?

This is a Royal Air Force Saunders-Roe A.27 London II flying boat, belonging to No. 203 Squadron. Unfortunately, given the angle of the photo, it's difficult to discern the aircraft's RAF serial number. Here's more: aeropedia.com.au/content/saunders-roe-london/

[A] further flight by RAF long-range flying boats was made to [Australia] in December 1937, these being a flight of five Saunders Roe Londons of No 203 General Reconnaissance Squadron fitted with a special long-range fuel tank above the hull. In early 1938 these aircraft (Serials K5908, K5912, K6927, K6929 and K6930) were flown to Sydney, NSW for the Sesquicentenary Celebrations. This was part of an overall return flight of 48,279 km (30,000 miles) commencing at Plymouth in the UK, being made via the Middle East, India, Rangoon, Singapore and Batavia in the Dutch East Indies. The flight was commanded by Wing Commander K B Lloyd AFC. The Sydney celebrations took place from 25 January to 7 February 1938. These five aircraft were London IIs with Pegasus X engines providing 787 kw (1,055 hp) for take-off, and differed from other aircraft in having three-blade fixed pitch propellers and long range fuel tanks increasing range to 4,184 km (2,600 miles).[

They might not look like Vikings but, ...... THEY ARE!