Short Scion

1933


LIGHT TRANSPORT	Virtual Aircraft Museum / United Kingdom / Short

Short decided that there was a need for an inexpensive light transport landplane and the high-wing Scion was developed using the small but effective Pobjoy engine. It sold in modest numbers, and the Scion was joined by the four-engined Scion Senior (capable of carrying nine passengers) in 1935. Short, however, wanted to turn its resources back to the flying-boat market. Douglas Pobjoy purchased the Scion rights in 1936, but the list price thereon often limited sales potential and Pobjoy only built a further six to add to Short's 16, plus another six Scion Senior's built by Short.

The Scion series served all over the British empire and for the RAF during World War II, one example surviving in Australia until 1965.

Specification

MODEL	Short Scion 2
CREW	1
PASSENGERS	5-6
ENGINE	2 x 90hp de Havilland Niagara III piston engines
WEIGHTS
Take-off weight	1451 kg	3199 lb
DIMENSIONS
Wingspan	12.80 m	42 ft 0 in
Length	9.60 m	32 ft 6 in
Height	3.16 m	10 ft 4 in
PERFORMANCE
Max. speed	206 km/h	128 mph
Ceiling	9144 m	30000 ft
Range	628 km	390 miles

Comments

Leslie Roth, e-mail, 03.01.2022 10:36

I saw a Scion at Croydon circa 1956 and I believe it was EZF

Leslie Roth, e-mail, 03.01.2022 10:36

I saw a Scion at Croydon circa 1956 and I believe it was EZF

Philip Cole, e-mail, 22.07.2017 17:29

Graham Yes you are correct MAPSL took delivery of the Scion from Redhill. I don't suppose you can remember what colours 'EZF wore in 1960? MAPSL has a painting showing it flying on floats from the Medway in a all over yellow scheme.

Philip Cole, e-mail, 22.07.2017 17:29

Graham Norris, e-mail, 12.01.2017 12:33

I saw the Scion dismantled in a hangar at Redhill around 1960. The fuselage and wings were covered ie not just frames, but no sign of engines. I think it went to Southend from there, then I believe returned to Redhill,when some restoration started. Did it go to Rochester from there?

Gerry Boulter, e-mail, 31.05.2015 02:09

To Phillip Cole
thank you, I will try to get across to see the aircraft later this year. I do hope it will eventually be flying as I have waited 57 years so far.
My Regards

Philip Cole, e-mail, 25.01.2015 21:09

The Scion you are referring to is G-AEZF (ex Redhill and Southend) and it is currently at Rochester (its birthplace under going restoration /re build in MAPS workshop. We are open to the public on Sunday mornings.

Gerry Boulter, e-mail, 08.11.2011 12:26

I started work as a 15 year old boy at Tradair, Southend airport in 1959. One of the directors had a Scion under tarpaulins to restore. When we aquired a hanger in 1960 the Scion was stripped and a rebuild started by engineer Ted Cheal. Unfortunately the company got into difficulties and taken over by Channel Airways,who, through it out. The last I heard of it, the Pobjoy engines had been previously overhauled, and the rebuild had started again by someone in the Southend area with photo's in an aviation mag. I've not heard of it since but surely somebody must have it. A valuble aircraft. If only I had known what I know now!

Dave Smith, e-mail, 07.02.2011 13:10

I should have had my first flight in the mk1 from Shorts, Rochester Airport in 1937. My uncle, Hector Smith, was the engine mechanic & had trouble getting one of the Pobjoys to run constantly, hence no flight! He, along with an airframe mechanic,an air controller,a wooden shed,a pilot + 1 a /c (high wing sigle engine- he showed me the photo') started up the Short airfield at Rochester about 1935 /6.

Mike Roach, e-mail, 11.12.2010 00:52

The second photo is of a Short S22 Scion Senior (the 4 engines and the floats are a clue!), one of 2 delivered to Rangoon. There is more information and another picture on the S22 page on this website

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