This is a comprehensive original flight trials record of Imperial Airlines Empire Flying Boat Cameronian G-AEUE, conducted in 1939 after the outbreak of WW2.

The Captain for the test flights was Donald Clifford Tyndall Bennett, CB, CBE, DSO, who at the time was still working for Imperial Airlines, who had purchased the Empire from Short of Rochester. Bennett specialised in long-distance flights, breaking a number of records and pioneering techniques which would later become commonplace, including air-to-air refuelling.

The previous year, in July 1938, he piloted the Mercury part of the Short Mayo Composite flying boat across the Atlantic, earning the Oswald Watt Gold Medal (which he won again in 1946). This was effectively a seaplane / flying boat piggy-back to provide a reliable long-range air transport service to North America.

This flight trial report immediately preceds his wartime activity with RAF Ferry Command, when from 1940 he was led the setting up of the Atlantic Ferry Organization that delivered thousands of aircraft to Great Britain from the US and Canada.

He returned to the RAF Volunteer Reserve in 1941 as a Squadron Leader. He was to serve in both 77 Squadron and 10 Squadron, and whilst in the latter led a raid on the German battleship Tirpitz, during which he was shot down yet managed to escape capture, returning to Britain via Sweden.

In 1942 he commanded the RAF Pathfinder Force, selected personally by "Bomber" Harris, who described him as "the most efficient airman I have ever known".

In 1943 he was promoted to Acting Air Vice Marshall, the youngest ever to hold the rank and a generation younger than others performing it. He continued leading the Pathfinders throughout the war.

The lot consists of approximately eighty pages of flight trails data, a mix of type and hand drawn technical graphs, with occasional annotations. The test flights were led by Bennett, with the support of First Officer TH Farnsworth and Radio Officer R Martin. The aircraft is identified as an Short Empire S23 with Pegasus XC engines, which I believe was the last variant. There are recommendations as to be expected, and a reference to the 1937 crash of Cygnus G-ADUZ. This Empire had attempted to take off with the wrong flap settings. This caused the aircraft to started porpoising leading to loss control. The 1st Officer showed great courage in saving 3 passengers from the aft cabin which had only about half a metre of air space left. There were however two fatalities.

There are a few loose technical graphs, not sure exactly how they relate to the flight trials.

Included within the file is a 1965 print article relating in part to the Short Mayo Composite.

Short S23 Empire Flying Boat Cameronian G-AEUE survived the war and was broken up in 1947.

In condition shown, please see photographs provided for best description.

I can always provide further information on request.

I post all paper items protected and in proper card backed envelopes.

I never add additional folds, if I quote a parcel price it is because I can't fit the item flat in a small or large letter.

I will always try and combine postage where I'm able to. If you are in the UK, please request an invoice if buying more than one item, and I will adjust the postage.

I only use GSP for International Shipping. If you are non-UK and buying more than one item, please wait for them to send you a combined postage price before you pay, as they are unable to make adjustments retrospectively.