Flying boats, helicopters, and finite naval budgets

When did Britain conclude that the days of flying boats were over?

Flying boats remained useful, but finite budgets forced a choice once helicopters could meet competing requirements.

Flying boats did not simply reach a date when they ceased to have value. They retained useful capabilities, but helicopters could cover overlapping requirements and demanded their own funding and support. An unlimited budget might sustain both aviation types. Real navies instead had to choose which capability offered the better return within finite resources, making disappearance from service a procurement decision rather than proof of technical worthlessness.