07/08/2010
The Seamew was designed as a cheap, lightweight, and simple anti submarine patrol aircraft. The idea was that a large number would be needed to protect ships and harbours. The Fleet Air Arm issued Specification M.123 in 1951 and Shorts designed the SB.6 around it. The design was selected and orders placed in 1952. The first prototype flew on 13/8/1953. The RAF decided that it could use the Seamew to supplement the Shackleton (and Lancaster) for shorter range patrols.
An order was placed in Febuary 1955 for 60 aircraft (split down the middle between the FAA and RAF), and naval service flight trials were carried out with 200 take offs and landings on HMS Warrior. The RAF quickly lost interest, and budget cuts killed off the project. All 18 aircraft build were scrapped.
I’m going to make this plane, only because it is so damn ugly.
