Supermarine Seagull (1921)
Supermarine · United Kingdom · first flew 1921 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Supermarine Seagull was a British amphibian flying boat designed by R.J. Mitchell from the experimental Supermarine Seal II. It was used for gunnery spotting and reconnaissance.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 11.51 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single Napier Lion engine in a nacelle slung from the upper wing, driving a four-blade tractor propeller
- Biplane with the lower wing at the shoulder position and floats on struts near its tips
- Amphibian flying boat hull with two steps and open cockpits
A biplane flying boat with one engine pod mounted under the upper wing and open cockpits for a crew of three. The wings fold, and are set well forward on the fuselage.
Specifications
- The Supermarine Seagull (1921) has a length of 11.51 m (38 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14.02 m (46 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 158 km/h (98 mph).
- Typical crew: 3.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The prototype N158 first flew in May 1921 and was rejected for military use at first, so Supermarine developed it privately. The Air Ministry ordered two aircraft in February 1922 and the name Seagull was adopted that July.
Variants
The Mk II had a more powerful Napier Lion III, a reduced wingspan and a larger fin, and the Mk III for Australia had a Lion V and redesigned radiators. One Mk II was rebuilt in 1928 as the Mk IV with leading edge slots and twin fins and rudders.
Where you'll see it
It served with the Fleet Air Arm and the Royal Navy, which received 25 aircraft, and with the Royal Australian Air Force, which received six Mk IIIs in 1926 and 1927. A number were used as civilian aircraft in the early 1930s as the Supermarine Walrus replaced them.
Related aircraft
- Supermarine Sea Eagle
- Supermarine Baby
- Supermarine Southampton
- Supermarine S.5
- Avro Bison
- Avro Bison Mk I
- Blériot-SPAD S.39
- Curtiss CR
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