203 Squadron Rangoon moored on the Tigris at Baghdad

203 Squadron was based in Mesopotamia in the early nineteen-thirties and was re-equiped with the Short Rangoon flying boat in January 1931. These photos were kindly sent to me by Janey Wall, whose grandfather served at RAF Hinaidi during the late 'twenties and mid 'thirties as a Cypher officer. Note the engine covers and the way in which the motorboat is pulled towards the flying boat so that the passengers could climb aboard. See more details of 203 Squadron and its operations during that time in the 'Welcome to Iraq' pamphlet featured on this website.

Engineer on a 203 Squadron Rangoon flying boat mooring a launch at Baghdad on the River Tigris c1932

Rear view of a 203 Squadron Rangoon flying boat moored at Baghdad on the River Tigris c1932

Front view of a 203 Squadron Rangoon flying boat moored at Baghdad on the River Tigris c1932