Flying Boat Biplanes During British India Era, 1930 Photo

Flying Boat Biplanes During British India Era, 1930 Photo

An old 1930 photograph of Biplane Flying Boats In British India. Since airfields and airports in the 1920s to 1950s were barely developed in countries under the British Empire or outside. And because of the easy accessibility of inland water bodies in almost all countries flying boats were more workable than land-based aircraft. The evolution of flying boats was rapid by the 1920s and 1930s. Its production and development heightened during World War II.

The water-based biplanes shown in the photo are the “Calcutta” class. That first started service in 1929 from the UK to India which terminated at Karachi (undivided India). The fleet shown in this photo was probably anchored off a Karachi water body. But some years later a more advanced model would make regular halts at the Hooghly River in Calcutta. These flying boats were initially used in the military before being acquired for civilian transport use.

Also read How The Short Calcutta Revolutionized Imperial Airways’ Flights To India. See post Flying Boat/Seaplane Service In British India, Old Print 1948.

Did you know- these “Calcutta” class water-based aircraft were named after the city of Calcutta, now Kolkata.

From the collection- 1964 M. Suriyamoorthy Charcoal Art Abstract (#17)., Dalhousie Barrack Fort William Kolkata – Old Postcard 1900., George Prince of Wales In India, Old Print 1906., Bombay – Antique Bellin’s Map 1764