The Short Sunderland was a long-range maritime patrol and anti-submarine flying boat, derived from the pre-war Empire flying boat and operated by RAF Coastal Command. It had two unique characteristics: firstly, aircraft could land on Lake Havel in the British Sector and secondly, it could bring in bulk deliveries of salt. The marinised airframe and high-level control cables meant that it could carry corrosive salt, without risking damage to the airframe. On the return leg of the journey, they brought out civilian passengers and export freight. River operations were based at Finkenwerder on the River Elbe near Hamburg and began in August 1948, continuing until mid-December, when Lake Havel froze. The aircraft shown is Short Sunderland GR Mk. V PP117 ‘4X-W’ of 230 Squadron RAF. The guns were removed to save weight. (Artwork by Goran Sudar)