G-AETZ Short S-23 Empire Boat

This aircraft was the nineteenth Empire boat completed and flown by Short Bros at Rochester, Kent

The order was placed by Imperial Airways, London - September 02, 1935

It was completed as an S-23 Empire Class boat having 920 h.p. Bristol Pegasus Xc engines

The standard fuel capacity was 650 gallons

It had an all-up weight of 40,500 lbs (18,380 kg) which was later increased to 53,000 lbs (24,200 kg)

The cruising speed was 164 m.p.h. with a standard range of 760 miles / 1,245 km

First flown as G-AETZ - August 13, 1937

Certificate of Registration Issued - August 16, 1937

Delivered to Imperial Airways, London - August 16, 1937

The aircraft was named 'Circe'

Acquired by British Airways when Imperial Airways merged - April 01, 1940

Isolated in the eastern section of the Horseshoe Route by Japanese army advances in Malaya - 1942

At the time this aircraft was being operated by Qantas Airways crews

This aircraft was destroyed when it was shot down off Tjilatjap, Java - February 28, 1942

It was engaged in the evacuation of civilians from Java to Broome, Australia

At the time of the loss it was carrying four crew and 18 women and children

Flight crew: Captain W. B. Purton; F/O M. W. Bateman; R/O H. C. A. Oates; Purser L. J. Hogan

The aircraft was intercepted by one of four Japanese Mitsubishi G4Ms based at Denpasar Airfield, Bali

The Mitsubishi G4M were allocated the Allied Code Name 'Betty'

The 'Betty' was flown by Petty Officer First Class Yamamoto and Ashagawa

They expended some 710 machine gun and cannon rounds in the attack

Aircraft had flown some 7,000 hours at the time of its loss