Short Type 184

From Wings of Linen
Short 184
Role Seaplane
Manufacturer Short
Designer Horace Short [1]
First flight Apr 1915 [2]
Introduction May 1915 [2]
Primary users U.K. (RNAS)
Estonia
Soviet
Number built >650 [3] to >900[4][5][6]
Wingspan 19.4 m (63 ft 6.25 in)[7][6] - 19.4 m (63 ft 8 in)[8]
Propeller Diam. 3.28 m (10 ft 9 in)[6]
Engine 225-275hp Sunbeam or
240hp Renault
Armament rear flexible Lewis
14" torpedo or 240 kg (520 lb) of bombs
Ammo 3×97-round drums[6][9]
Crew 2
Max Speed 121 km/h (75 mph) [3][6] [note 1]
Climb 610 m (2,000 ft) in 8:15[3]
2,000 m (6,500 ft) in 39:00[8]-42:30[3]
3,000 m (10,000 ft) in 45:00[8] [note 2]
Service Ceiling 1,700 m (5,700 ft) [3] [note 3]
Endurance 4:30 [note 4]

The Short Seaplane, Admiralty Type 184 was designed to carry a torpedo. Long folding wings and the characteristic large fin of the Short seaplanes make it quickly recognizable. In the Dardanelles campaign, it became the first plane to sink an enemy ship with a torpedo when a Short 184 attacked a Turkish steamer on 12 June 1915. The weight of a torpedo, however, severely limited the plane's range and operating conditions. More often the Type 184 ran patrol, bombing, and even anti-Zeppelin missions, including the Battle of Jutland.[note 5] While most served in the North Sea and from seaplane-carriers, a few were sent to Mesopotamia in February 1916. As the war progressed, the original 225hp Sunbeam engine was replaced with more powerful Sunbeams and Renaults.[3]

While Short Bros. produced many 184's, a large number were subcontracted to other firms, including Mann Egerton, Phœnix Dynamo, Sage, Saunders, and Westland.[11] They were still in production at the end of the war, but they were starting to be phased out by Fairey Campanias, Fairey IIIBs, and other types.[4] During its long service life there were many experiments with alternative engines, wing adjustments, float shapes, and armament.[12]

Their missions ran from anti-submarine patrols (especially as the war progressed) to bombing, patrol, and torpedo attack. Though underpowered for its size, the 184 served faithfully from the beginning of the war through the end and beyond, fighting in the Russian Civil War in 1919-1920. Some were taken by the Russians after they were abandoned by the British, and eight were given to Estonia, five to Chile, five to Greece, and one to Japan.[13][3]

For more information, see Wikipedia:Short Admiralty Type 184.

Game Data

Wings of Glory

Unofficial Stats
Availability Maneuver Damage Dmg Points Max Alt. Climb
15Q3-18Q4 XD -/B or none 19 or 20 8 8

Plane and Crew Cards

Blue Max/Canvas Eagles

Aircraft Chart

Miniatures and Models

1:144 Scale

1:285/6mm/1:288 Scale

1:300 Scale

1:600 Scale

1:700 Scale

1:1250 Scale

Resources

Orthographic Drawings

References

Notes
  1. 5-10mph faster with larger engines.[3][8]
  2. All climb numbers with 240hp Renault engine.
  3. Up to 9000ft with larger engines.[3][8]
  4. Varies from 2:45 to 5:15 with different engines.[3]
  5. However, the reconnaissance of Short 184 No. 8359 had no bearing on the battle of Jutland.[4] However, they did demonstrate the potential of the seaplane in locating enemy ships.[10]
Citations
  1. Bruce'66, p.3.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Bruce'01, p.7.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 Bruce'69, p.486.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Nowarra, p.108.
  5. Angelucci, p.76.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Bruce'66, p.14.
  7. Bruce'01, p.40.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Nowarra, pp.202-203.
  9. Kelly, p.230.
  10. Bruce'01, p.14.
  11. Bruce'66, p.4.
  12. Bruce'66, p.12.
  13. Bruce'01, p.32.
Bibliography
  • Enzo Angelucci, ed. The Rand McNally Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft, 1914-1980. New York: The Military Press, 1983 edition. ISBN 0-517-41021-4.
  • J.M. Bruce. British Aeroplanes 1914-18. Great Britain: Funk & Wagnalls, 1957, 1969. ISBN 0370000382
  • J.M. Bruce, Profile Publications 74: The Short 184. Great Britain: Profile Publications Ltd, 1966.
  • J.M. Bruce, Windsock Datafile 85: Short 184. Great Britain: Albatros Publications, Ltd., 2001. ISBN 1-902207-36-X
  • Kevin Kelly, "Belts and Drums: A Survey of First World War Aircraft Ammunition Totals". Over the Front, Vol. 5, No. 3, Autumn 1990. Walsworth Publishing Co, Inc. and The League of World War I Aviation Historians.
  • Heinz J. Nowarra, Bruce Robertson, and Peter G. Cooksley. Marine Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War. Letchworth, Herts, England: Harleyford Publications Limited, 1966. ISBN 0900435070