Restored wooden fuselage on display at RAFM Hendon. The five-crew Southampton proved to be a reliable flying boat that could operate in bad weather. It first flew on 10 Mar 1925 and was inducted in the RAF in Aug 1925, equipping No. 480 (Coastal Reconnaissance) Flight. The wooden hull Mk. 1 was powered by two 470-hp Napier Lion V engines. The Mk.I developed into the Duralumin hull Mk.II. In addition to bombs, three .303 Lewis guns were mounted on Scarff rings in the nose and midships. The most notable long-distance flight was from the UK to Australia via India and Singapore in 1927-28.

Disconnecting from the push back tug for an evening departure.

A truly incredible exhibit at the RAF Museum, unfortunately preserved without wings. Designed by R J Mitchell, (the designer of the Spitfire) the Southampton first entered RAF service in 1925. Eighteen Mk 1s were built with the gorgeous all-wooden (cedar and mahogany) hull remeniscent of the contruction of a boat. Southamptons were in RAF service for 11 years. This is the world's sole surviving example. restored after being beached in Felixstowe for many years. The later MkII had an aluminium hull and 40 of those were built.