Supermarine Seagull (1948)

The Supermarine Seagull was a successor model of the Supermarine Walrus and Sea Otter. In 1922 awarded Supermarine on a variant of the Seal for the first time the name " Seagull ".

Development

In October 1940, the British Air Ministry specification S.12/40 for an amphibious reconnaissance and observation aircraft issued at Supermarine and Fairey, which could be stowed on ships and should replace the successful Walrus and Sea Otter flying boats. Supermarine eventually got in 1943 the contract for the construction of three prototypes.

1944, the specification was changed to S.14/44 and demanded a Seeluftrettungs and reconnaissance aircraft (which led, among other things, the elimination of weapons tower ). By giving the condition to carry the machine below deck, the dimensions were enlarged and the stronger Griffon engine are used. The official military designation was now Seagull ASR Mk I

The first prototype flew on 14 July 1948, the second on 2 September 1949. Aircraft carrier testing took place in the same year held at the Ark Royal and the Illustrious, most notably the restraint devices were tested in carrier landings. In the 1950s, however, took the helicopter Seeluftrettung; 1952 Seagulls were all scrapped.

Construction

Originally the pattern was to be built both single deck as well as a biplane. Finally, we lay still firmly on the monoplane. Nevertheless, to achieve the desired properties ( very low stall speed, carrier suitability ), the aircraft (later the Vought F- 8 Crusader of 1955 similar) has been provided, slats and large wing flaps with a special wing with variable angle of attack. This technique has been previously tested with the Supermarine Type 322 Dumbo and gave the Seagull a stall speed below 100 km / h At higher speeds, an optimum setting angle of the wing also increased the range.

The all-metal flying boat ( riveted Alclad sheet ) was a high wing; in the clad strut the cooler and the air intake of the engine were housed (originally Rolls- Royce Merlin 30).

Specification (Type 381 Seagull ASR.I )

377 km / h at sea level *

* estimated performance information