. . . .imagine getting an Ansett Sandringham Flying Boat back in the air. Just joyflights, I'd reckon people would pay any amount and every seat would be full. It would even draw aviation nerds from all over the world.
Not a single one of any variety remaining in Australia, despite their enormous significance historically. The PG Taylor Sandringham, VH-APG, 'Frigate Bird 111' , now in the Musée de L'Air in Paris, we missed out on.
Could so easily have been secured. The late Harold Thomas (Camden then Narellan) did his best.
The money is there in many coffers to bring back a Shorts. First step is to attempt to get through to the seriously rich that this is a heritage project deserving of a little philanthropy, and well worth the outlay.
Whether any museum anywhere in the world would part with one is a moot point. Motat in Auckland have two. . a Solent and a Sunderland . . . they might be open to suggestions.
The TAA Beaver men on the Derwent in Hobart talk about having a full scale replica of a Qantas Short Empire C-Class boat built and put on permanent static display. Geoff Reichelt does a good facsimile.