Supermarine Sea Eagle
Supermarine · United Kingdom · first flew 1923 · airliner
The Supermarine Sea Eagle was a British commercial amphibian biplane operated by British Marine Air Navigation on the Channel Islands route in the early 1920s. It was one of the first purpose-built commercial flying boats designed for regular passenger service.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Boat-hull lower fuselage with retractable undercarriage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- 1920s British amphibian biplane with enclosed passenger cabin
- Single pusher-configuration Rolls-Royce Eagle engine
- Boat-hull lower fuselage with retractable undercarriage
Distinguished by its biplane configuration, boat hull, tractor engine on the upper wing centerline (later revised), and enclosed cabin windows along the fuselage sides. The single-engine layout and small size distinguish it from larger flying boats of the era.
Specifications
- The Supermarine Sea Eagle has a length of 11.38 m (37 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14.02 m (46 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 150 km/h (93 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 pilot + 6 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed by R.J. Mitchell at Supermarine, the Sea Eagle entered service in 1923 on the Southampton–Guernsey route operated by British Marine Air Navigation. Six aircraft were built, offering an enclosed cabin for six passengers — a luxury for the era. The aircraft operated until the mid-1920s when more capable types became available.
Variants
Only six production aircraft were built with no significant variants. The Sea Eagle was a direct predecessor to Mitchell's later, more famous Supermarine flying boats.
Where you'll see it
Operated by British Marine Air Navigation on UK Channel Islands routes; highly relevant to British civil aviation history and the Supermarine heritage.
Related aircraft
- Supermarine Southampton
- Supermarine S.5
- Supermarine Baby
- Supermarine S.6B
- Blériot 115
- de Havilland DH.50
- Handley Page W.8f
- de Havilland DH.34
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