 The Springbok traces its history from the pioneering, all-metal Short Silver Streak, which was exhibited at the Olympia Aero Show in 1920.The Air Ministry had purchased the Silver Streak and subjected it to structural tests for two years at R.A.E., Farnborough.When in due course the Air Ministry issued a "Bristol Fighter-replacement" Specification 19/21, Short Brothers contracted to deliver two S.3 Springbok I two-seat reconnaissance biplanes ("J6974" and "J6975").