In Sunderland times (WWII) the flying boat bases were generally located for operations out into the Atlantic, Bay of Biscay etc so were mostly western and south coast UK – eg Plymouth, Pembroke Dock, N Ireland, Oban. Some flew from the north + NE of Scotland towards Norway to cover the Arctic convoys.

But from memory there were some flying boat operations over the North Sea in World War One – I met the son of a pilot who shot down a Zeppelin after an epic chase.

Oh, I’ve found this: http://www.raf.mod.uk/bob1940/238to248.html

Scroll down to 248 squadron. They were formed from flights operating from a seaplane base at Hornsea Mere.

All the best

I collect memories – other people’s. (mine have long gone 😀 )

Mostly relating the Short Brothers, their factories and aircraft. In the process I’ve ended up with a collection of photographs and a few other bits such as cigarette lighters – well Britain’s aircraft industry made more lighters than aeroplanes 🙂

Sadly some of the people I’ve met have gone so a concern is where to (eventually) donate it so that it is 1. accessible to everybody and 2 protected safely for the future.

Really lovely photo of 4X-X 😎 Made my evening.

I don’t have a lot of info in my files on 230 sqdn at that time but a speed read through Chaz Bowyers lists found three Sunderland’s which carried 4X-X codes:
PP164 July 46 to October 47 (then to 57 MU)
VB887 June 47 to Oct 49 (then back to makers)
PP115 from Aug 48 to Jan 49 (then to 201)

If you can read the serial on the orig print it might help narrow the date – but I’d bet the serial isn’t any of these!

Oh, and he lists a lot of Sunderlands with serials starting with PP at 230 around that time – it’d be tough to ID the second aircraft.