cut shorter on account of the standard RAF hangars of the day
That's not true is it?
I thought it was on account of packing cases and also being the same wing as another Shorts design. Also wasn't the specification for short(ish) take-off and the design also to transport troops & then support them. So it was a bit of mash up of requirements.
I heard a story about one fighting off 2 Me110 fighters - apparently the wing loading (?) meant it had good handling qualities...?