Adding to their superb Allied Wings book collection is this latest edition on the Short Singapore III. This aircraft was a requirement of the RAF for a long range patrol aircraft proposed in a 1924 specification. The result was the twin engine Singapore I. Nice as it was, it wasn't exactly what was wanted so the Singapore II was developed using four engines. This prototype was much closer to what was wanted and after refinements, the Singapore III was developed and an order placed by the RAF that eventually resulted in forty aircraft being built between1935 and 1937.

Now forty does not sound like a lot of aircraft, but in the money tight 1930s it was a substantial investment. The aircraft performed all of its tasks superbly and was eventually used in six front line RAF squadrons and with a single RNZAF unit. It was with the RNZAF that the aircraft flew for the last time. Though woefully obsolete by 1941 when the RAF stopped using it, the RNZAF had nothing and so several with some airframe time still on them were sent to New Zealand where they operated from Fiji until 1943 when the last was retired and scrapped.

In line with other books in this series,  we get a full history of the type as well as a history of its operation with each unit in which it served. There is also a table that provides all known information on each airframe in terms of when it was built and what its eventual fate was to be. What is really the best part of the book are the dozens of very well done period photos of the aircraft in service as well as a full dozen full color profiles that alone cover four pages. I have to say that the quality of the paper used in these titles is top notch and you will not find better.

It is a book on a type for which very little has been written and like others in this series is well researched. It a book that provides a superb research tool and an interesting read to boot.  Most highly recommended.

May 2012

Review book courtesy of www.raf-in-combat.com. Visit them for other great titles

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