22 March 1914

Frank McClean, a wealthy Irish aviator, sponsored the 1914 flight of the Short Bros. S.80 hydroaeroplane from Cairo to Khartoum. Departing on 3 January, they reached their destination, some 1,500 miles south, on 22 March 1914. Doubtless daunted by the prospect of a three-month return trip, they decided to dismantle the plane and ship it back to England.