Short Sarafand float needs saving

Yes, it is way too expensive. The owner may negotiate if it fails to sell a second time.

Well, no bids this time so lets hope some ‘behind the scenes’ dealing does take place. I reminded Solent Sky of this opportunity, but haven’t heard anything further. 🙁

Yes, it is way too expensive. The owner may negotiate if it fails to sell a second time.

The reserve is too much for me!! I can afford £250 but not the multiple of that figure required….sorry

The reserve is too much for me!! I can afford £250 but not the multiple of that figure required….sorry

Don’t be timid, it has been relisted, not sure if the price has changed though! :confused:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220043931097&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNARL:UK:12

I know the starting price is the same, I was hoping the reserve had been reduced so that it would sell this time. Photos of the plane and float attached for those unable view the auction. Photo credit FLYPAST Reference Library.

The Sarafand spent most of her time at Felixstowe as a trials aircraft, proving technology for extremely large flying boats. Landguard Fort or Norfolk and Suffolk Museum are both very appropriate.

Landguard Fort seems appropriate then!

Would it be more appropriate at somewhere that has a Shorts connection i.e Rochester?

Difficult to think of anywhere that has a better connection than Felixstowe as the MAEE was based there for years and it was effectively the centre of UK flying boat development between the wars.

Would it be more appropriate at somewhere that has a Shorts connection i.e Rochester?

There is a museum at Landguard Fort, Felixstowe, who will match me and give up £250 so that it could go on show there or Norfolk & suffolk Museum?
This is a serious offer.

It is back on – at the same starting price. It is an example of confusion about cash value and historic value.

I’ve spoken to a few people but nothing is apparent yet. Hopefully things are moving behind the scenes but if you know somewhere which might be interested do let them know.

Don’t be timid, it has been relisted, not sure if the price has changed though! :confused:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220043931097&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNARL:UK:12

Well, what happens now? :confused: It did not reach the reserve and is presumably still sitting in the garden awaiting what fate?? Which Short’s orientated museum should step up and grab it?

The owner has said it was investigated many years ago by the Southampton Hall of Aviation (now Solent Sky) and, after several months, they concluded it was from the Sarafand. He added “some time later in the sarafand flying program new tip floats were fitted and the only ones made of stainless steel it does have id marks and part numbers.” But he hasn’t given me those yet.

Pondskater,

Thanks for this. I guess this id must be accurate and thanks for checking. Of course, if you can get him to reveal the part numbers, that would be even more help!

Cheers for now,

Ian

Pondskater – I was thinking a little lower due to it’s limited potential and the prospects of someone recreating the rest are somewhat slim !

Southend – viceless and trouble free eh? 😀

The owner has said it was investigated many years ago by the Southampton Hall of Aviation (now Solent Sky) and, after several months, they concluded it was from the Sarafand. He added “some time later in the sarafand flying program new tip floats were fitted and the only ones made of stainless steel it does have id marks and part numbers.” But he hasn’t given me those yet.

If only I had somewhere to put it . . .

Sarafand obviously they could not spell Southend propper…

I’ll get my coat and exit stage right.

:p

That amount of ribbing bothers me as well so I’ve asked the owner what other information he has.

However, 18 feet is exactly right, and its location is close to where Sarafand was broken up and the mix of stainless and alloy would be right.

CH Barnes in Shorts Aircraft since 1900 states that the floats were a mix of alloy and stainless steel and even had zinc plates bolted on to act as sacrificial anodes.

Gordon Kinsey “Seaplanes – Felixstowe” notes an engine fire and a lower wing replacement at MAEE while Peter London in “British Flying Boats” records an overhaul in 1933 including replacing the stainless steel planning hull with alclad – so we do know she was modified during her extensive trials career.

Anyway, the real evidence is, hopefully, held by the owner.

Pondskater,

May I ask how you were able to identify the float as coming from a Sarafand? The images I’ve seen of the Sarafand appear to have floats that look very different. For one, they don’t have the horizontal ribbing present on the one on eBay.

I don’t know a great deal about flying boats so would be interested how you can tell what this is from what little information is given on the eBay listing.

Cheers,

Ian

Bruce has a good point that at least now it is getting publicity – including here. I was concerned that, knowing its history, the owner appears to be offering it as a disposal item not a historic artefact from the largest biplane flying boat built.

Norfolk and Suffolk would be relevant – Sarafand spent a lot of time at MAEE at Felixstowe and was broken up there.

Maybe it needs the price adjusting

David – up or down 🙂

Maybe it needs the price adjusting to reflect it’s significance in the bigger scheme of things!