This aircraft was the third of three G-Class boats to be completed and flown by Short Bros at Rochester, Kent

The order was placed by Imperial Airways, London - 1938

It was built as an S-26G Class flying boat having 1,380 h.p. Bristol Hercules IV radial engines

The standard fuel capacity was 3,600 gallons

Maximum all-up weight was 73,500 lb (33,400 kg), cruised at 180 m.p.h. with a range of 3,200 miles (5,152 km)

The estimated construction cost on each aircraft was UKL 87,325

Entered onto the British Aircraft Register as G-AFCK (CofR 8166) - October 1937

Aircraft was to be named 'Grenville' but this was changed to 'Golden Horn'

Impressed by the R.A.F. as 'X8275' before construction was completed

It was converted to military standards prior to its launch

This included the fitting of 3 dorasl gun turrets, armour plating to protect crew and inner fuel tanks

Launched at the Short Brothers Seaplane Works on the Medway at Rochester - February 24, 1940

First flown as X8273 (Captain John L. Parker) - February 24, 1940

Second test flight flown - March 09, 1940

Third test flight carried out on completion of initial military fitout - May 13, 1940

Fourth test flight carried out - September 05, 1939

Certificate of Airworthiness (CofA) Issued - September 1939

Delivered to Imperial Airways, London - September 24, 1939

Ferried to Blackburn Aircraft, Dumbarton for the fitting of remaining military equipment - August 13, 1940

This including bomb racks to accommodate eight 500 lb bombs and

internal stowage for 8 smoke floats, 20 reconnaissance flares and 28 flame floats

The conversion to full military standard was completed by Blackburn - February 22, 1941

It was allocated to 'G' Flight at Bowmore, Loch Indaal, Islay - February 1941

'G' Flight was renamed No 119 Squadron, Royal Air Force - March 1941

Joined 119 Squadron, 'G' Flight at Loch Indaal - April 10, 1941

During heavy weight trials at MAEE Helensburgh the aircraft spang a major leak in the hull - April 1941

Returned to Short Bros at Rochester for repairs - April 26, 1941

It was allocated to No 10 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force at Mountbatten - May 10, 1941

Commenced long range missions supporting No 272 Squadron flying Beaufighter - June 11, 1941

Returned to R.A.F. at Calshot following overhaul and repair - August 30, 1941

Returned to 119 Squadron at Loch Indaal - September 13, 1941

No 119 Squadron was disbanded and aircraft returned to British Overseas Airways Corporation - December 06, 1941

Ownership officially transferred to British Airways - December 12, 1941

All military equipment removed and austerity seating for 40 passengers was fitted

Entered onto the British Aircraft Register as G-AFCK (CofR ?) - ?

Certificate of Airworthiness (CofA) issued - ?

Entered BOAC service flying priority passengers and mail - 1942

The aircraft was destroyed when it crashed on fire into the Tagus River, Lisbon - January 09, 1943

Following the repair to an engine at Lisbon the aircraft carried out a test flight

Captain J. H. Lock breached company regulations by allowing BOAC Lisbon staff to be carried on this flight

Short 'G' Class flying boats did not have engine fire extinguishers fitted

The propellers could not be feathered and once the oil-fuelled fire took hold it could not be controlled

It is believed that dense acrid smoke filled the cockpit making outside visibility impossible

The aircraft stalled and crashed heavily into the water during the attempted emergency landing

Only two people survived the crash, the Radion Officer and a Portuguese Operations Officer

As no passenger list had been prepared the total number of people on the aircraft was unknown