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Flying Boat JRU01_01_109
TOWER BRIDGE, TOWER HILL, TOWER HAMLETS, GREATER LONDON. A Short Sunderland flying boat on the River Thames at Tower Bridge, with the bridge in the background, during the Battle of Britain Week.
The Battle of Britain Week was an annual celebration by the Royal Air Force of the victory in September 1940. In 1951 it ran from 10th - 16th September, and included a fly-past over London on 15th September. The Short Sunderland was developed by Short Brothers as a flying boat and patrol bomber for the RAF, and was introduced in 1938. A Sunderland was shown on the River Thames every September in the 1950s as part of the Battle of Britain Week celebration, until the aircraft type was retired from the RAF in the late 1950s. In 1951, a Sunderland flying boat was moored on the River Thames opposite the Tower of London from 12th September. Historic England is the public body that champions and protects England's historic places. © Historic England Archive
Media ID 22656142
Filename: jru01_01_109.jpg
Size: 5226 x 3997 (2.3MB)
Date: 20th August 2021
Source: Historic England
Credit: A© Historic England Archive
Copyright Status: Copyrighted Work
Source: Historic England Archive
Job Title: Photographer
20th Century Air Transport Aircraft Engineering Water Transport Aerospace Seaplane
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Transport > Airports and airfields
> Transport > Bridges > Tower Bridge
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a momentous scene during the Battle of Britain Week in 1951. Tower Bridge, an iconic landmark of London, stands proudly in the background as a Short Sunderland flying boat gracefully glides along the River Thames. The annual celebration by the Royal Air Force commemorated their victory in September 1940 and showcased their remarkable aircraft. The Short Sunderland was designed by Short Brothers specifically for the RAF as both a flying boat and patrol bomber. Introduced in 1938, it played a crucial role during World War II. Every September in the 1950s, one of these majestic seaplanes would make its appearance on the River Thames as part of this commemorative week until its retirement from service later that decade. In this particular year, spectators were treated to the sight of a Sunderland flying boat moored opposite the Tower of London from September 12th onwards. This image not only showcases engineering excellence but also highlights how air transport seamlessly integrated with water transport to create such magnificent machines. Preserved through time, this print serves as a testament to both aviation history and British resilience during wartime. It allows us to marvel at an era when aerospace technology soared above our rivers and landmarks like Tower Bridge stood witness to extraordinary feats achieved by man-made wonders like the Short Sunderland flying boat.
