Only 37 Short Singapores were built, and the type's 870-nautical-mile range fell well short of the Catalina's reach. Nearly twelve hours of economy-cruise endurance still offered a useful patrol contribution, but a small force could not provide the broad reconnaissance coverage that a major base required. Nos. 205 and 230 Squadrons had operated the aircraft at Singapore, yet four No. 205 Squadron machines were transferred to No. 5 Squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force in October 1941. That allocation immediately before war reached the theatre becomes a pointed example of how squadron movements affected local readiness. Aircraft numbers and endurance form part of the wider failure to provide Singapore with adequate maritime awareness.
Notable Point · 30:44-34:50
The Short Singapore's patrol limitations
The Short Singapore could provide endurance and patrol capacity, but its range and limited numbers reveal the risk of relying on too few maritime aircraft in a threatened theatre.