The Springbok traces its history from the pioneering, all-metal Short Silver Streak, which was exhibited at the Olympia Aero Show in 1920.

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).

[1] Powered by a 400 hp Bristol Jupiter IV radial engine, the S.3 Springbok I was an all-metal aircraft, with a duralumin monocoque fuselage and two-bay, equal-span wings.

The strength/weight factor of the mainplanes was disappointing and the Air Ministry ordered three more Springboks with lighter, fabric-covered wings attached directly to the lower fuselage and a redesigned tail assembly.

The first of these S.3a Springbok IIs (numbered J7295-J7297) was flown by Shorts' Chief Test Pilot J. Lankester Parker at the Isle of Grain on 25 March 1925.

[7] It was delivered to the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE) at Martlesham Heath, on 27 April 1927 for testing by 22 Squadron, the RAF unit responsible for test flying for the A&AEE,[8] although the competition for Specification 30/24 had already been decided and the Armstrong Whitworth Atlas ordered into production.