| N.3 Cromarty | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Prototype (N120) | |
| Role | Flying boat Type of aircraft |
| National origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer | Short Brothers |
| First flight | 11 April 1921 |
| Status | Prototype |
| Primary user | Royal Air Force |
| Number built | 1 |
TheShort N.3 Cromarty was a prototypeBritish twin-enginedbiplaneflying boat, designed towards the end of theFirst World War. Only a single example was built, which first flew in 1921 and was wrecked in 1922.
In April 1917, theBritish Admiralty developed a requirement for a long-range patrol flying boat to work in support of the Fleet, and issued Specification N.3(b) (later reissued as Air Ministry Specification XXX[a]) to meet this need.[1] This resulted in designs fromVickers (for theValentia) and Shorts ofRochester, who, although better known at the time forfloatplanes, had gained experience in flying boats, buildingFelixstowe F.3 andF.5s under licence from April 1917.[2][3]
Short Brothers received an order for three prototypes just after theArmistice ended the First World War.[4] Short's design, the N.3 Cromarty, was a large, twin-enginebiplane. It was powered by two 650 hp (480 kW)Rolls-Royce Condor engines, and had a similar, but larger hull to that of the Felixstowe flying boats, with a biplane tail. It featured a side-by-side cockpit for the two pilots, a large box cockpit for a gunner, who was armed with aCOWautomatic cannon, and a dorsal position for another gunner armed with aLewis gun.[2][5]
Production of the prototypes started in February 1919, but the second and third were cancelled before completion, with the first prototype eventually being launched on 21 March 1921, being first flown byJohn Lankester Parker on 11 April 1921.[4]
After extensive testing, the Cromarty was handed over to the RAF's Seaplane Development Flight on 17 June 1922. In August, the Flight, comprising the Cromarty, twoFelixstowe F.5s and aPhoenix Cork, set out on trials of operating large flying boats away from support facilities for extended periods of time. Arriving atSt Mary's, Isles of Scilly on 21 August, the Cromarty successfully weathered a storm, but was taxied onto a reef, holing the hull. The damage was declared uneconomic to repair and the Cromarty was scrapped in place.[6][7]
While the Cromarty had performed well in its limited service, one problem (as with all wooden-hulled flying boats) was soakage of water into the hull, with as much as 600 pounds (270 kg) of water absorbed after a few weeks of service.[8] Tests with a metal-hulled Felixstowe F.5 resulted in an order for a prototype of an improved, metal-hulled flying boat, based on the Cromarty. This became the prototypeShort Singapore I.[9]
Data from Short Aircraft since 1900[10]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
