Jets 09-10/2012

By the early 1940s the course for British flying boat development had become a complex quandary and for some, a doubtful path to take much further. Of Britain's principal flying boat manufacturers, even before World War Two, Blackburn, Saunders-Roe (Saro) and Supermarine had left the commercial market - Short Brothers met the required demand.
Later, the Government's wartime Brabazon Reports recommended various aircraft types for post-war commercial service, but no new flying boat. On the military side, the form of a flying boat to replace the Shorts' Sunderland was debated back and forth throughout the war, while all the time the doughty aeroplane successfully continued in service. But attempting to reflect ever-changing thoughts on possible new Service flying boats, the suppliers continued drafting paper projects. At Cowes on the Isle of Wight, Saro's thoughts embraced military studies but also, as the war turned in the Allies' favour, commercial types. During September 1943 Arthur (later Sir Arthur) Gouge, formerly Shorts' General Manager and Sunderland architect, joined Saro as Vice-Chairman. An ardent flying boat supporter, Gouge teamed up with greatly experienced flying boat designer Henry Knowler, establishing a unique centre of expertise.

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