Scanned from a 1948 print from the late 1930's original
Maia and Mercury. The Short-Mayo composite project consisted of the Short S.21 Maia which had a pylon for carrying the Short S.20 Mercury which first flew in Sept 1937 was long range flights w
The purpose of the project was long range flights with Maia taking off then releasing Mercury part way to the destination. In July 1938 a flight was made from Foynes, Ireland to Boucherville, Quebec, later flights were made to Egypt and South Africa.
Maia was destroyed during an air raid in 1941