Instrument Panel [S-30C Empire]
Maker and role
Short Brothers and Harland Limited, Manufacturer
Production date
1937
Object detail
Accession number
2013.262
Production period
Description
Instrument panel from a Short S-30C Empire Flying Boat ZK-AMC Awarua or ZK-AMA Aotearoa. Semi-circular shaped panel painted black, with an assortment of dials and gauges.
Note: this panel has two radium painted dials which have no glass cover. Please see Risk Assessment for further information.
Note: this panel has two radium painted dials which have no glass cover. Please see Risk Assessment for further information.
Brief History
This instrument panel is the only known remaining part from a Short S-30C Empire Class Flying Boat. Believed to be from either the ZK-AMC Awarua or ZK-AMA Aotearoa.
Built by the Short Brothers in Rochester, England during 1937, these flying boats were first operated by Imperial Airlines and then released to TEAL in 1939 to carry passengers and mail between Auckland and Sydney.
ZK-AMC Awarua was withdrawn from service in June 1947, offered for sale by tender in 1948 before being scrapped. ZK-AMA Aotearoa was sold at public tender and towed to Mission Bay and was transformed into a tea-room. In October 1950 ZK-AMA Aotearoa was broken up for scrap.
At the time of being withdrawn from service, the Dominion Museum (as New Zealands national museum) was creating an exhibition on the Flying Boats in New Zealand. While this exhibition never eventuated, a request had been sent for a part of an Empire Class flying boat. The request sought a part of ZK-AMC Awarua, however TEAL documents refer to a part from ZK-AMA Aotearoa. It remains unclear which Flying Boat this panel is from.
Built by the Short Brothers in Rochester, England during 1937, these flying boats were first operated by Imperial Airlines and then released to TEAL in 1939 to carry passengers and mail between Auckland and Sydney.
ZK-AMC Awarua was withdrawn from service in June 1947, offered for sale by tender in 1948 before being scrapped. ZK-AMA Aotearoa was sold at public tender and towed to Mission Bay and was transformed into a tea-room. In October 1950 ZK-AMA Aotearoa was broken up for scrap.
At the time of being withdrawn from service, the Dominion Museum (as New Zealands national museum) was creating an exhibition on the Flying Boats in New Zealand. While this exhibition never eventuated, a request had been sent for a part of an Empire Class flying boat. The request sought a part of ZK-AMC Awarua, however TEAL documents refer to a part from ZK-AMA Aotearoa. It remains unclear which Flying Boat this panel is from.
Media/Materials
Credit Line
Short Brothers and Harland Limited. 1937. Instrument Panel [S-30C Empire], 2013.262. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
Public comments
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