The Supermarine Seagull II was developed as an amphibious aircraft for the RAF for operation from the Royal Navy’s aircraft carriers. At the time, the RAF controlled all flying activities for the Royal Navy. Developed from the Supermarine Seal, the two prototypes (N158 and N159) were designated as the Seagull I.
A total of 25 Seagull IIs were built, with one going to Japan along with the Seal II for evaluation. The Seagull II proved unpopular in use, with slow speed and poor sea keeping. It was replaced by the Fairey III.
An improved Mk III version was ordered by the Royal Australian Air Force for use on the Royal Australian Navy seaplane tender HMAS Albatross.
Supermarine Seagull prototype N-158Supermarine Seagull N-9563Supermarine Seagull N-9605Supermarine Seagull N-9642Supermarine Seagull N-9643Supermarine Seagull G-EBXH on the civil register
Based on the Supermarine Commercial Amphibian which achieved second place in an Air Ministry competition in 1920, the Supermarine Seal II prototype first flew on 21 May 1921. The designation Seal II is presumed to come from the Commercial Amphibian which was briefly named Seal before it crashed and was written off.
Testing by the RAF of the Seal II resulted in several changes, including a more powerful engine and relocation of the fuel tanks to the upper wing. Two additional prototypes were ordered, but were renamed Seagull before delivery. See these pages for photos and a brief history of the resulting Seagull IISeagull III and Seagull V (which became the Supermarine Walrus).
The Seal II and one of the prototypes were sold to the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service for evaluation.
Supermarine SealSupermarine SealSupermarine SealSupermarine SealSupermarine SealSupermarine SealSupermarine SealSupermarine Seal
The Supermarine Seagull V was initially developed as a private venture in response to a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) request for an observation seaplane to be catapult-launched from cruisers. The Seagull V resembled the proceeding Supermarine Seagull III in general layout. Although construction commenced in 1930, the aircraft was delayed by more pressing projects and the first Seagull V did not fly until June 1933.
The prototypes was initially marked as N-1 but this was later changed to N-2 (as there was already an aircraft with this registration). The Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment at Felixstowe undertook trials on behalf of the RAAF from Royal Navy ships (HMS Valiant and HMS Repulse).
The RAAF ordered 24 Seagull Vs which were delivered in 1935 and 1936. They were used as spotter aircraft from the Royal Australian Navy cruisers and land bases. Post-World War Two, several Seagulls were sold into the civilian market where they operated into the 1960s. The primary civilian operator was Amphibious Airways of Rabaul, which operated four aircraft.
The RAF also ordered the aircraft, but renamed it the Walrus.
Supermarine Seagull V prototype under constructionSupermarine Seagull V prototype as originally marked as N1Supermarine Seagull V Prototype now marked N2
A2-1
Supermarine Seagull V A2-1 being craned onto HMAS AustraliaSupermarine Seagull V A2-1 on HMAS AustraliaSupermarine Seagull V A2-1Supermarine Seagull V A2-1 being launched from HMAS CanberraSupermarine Seagull V A2-1 on HMAS AustraliaSupermarine Seagull V A2-1Supermarine Seagull V A2-1Supermarine Seagull V A2-1Supermarine Seagull V A2-1 after accident
A2-2
Supermarine Seagull V A2-2 over HMAS SydneyWeymouth, England. c. 1935-09. Supermarine Seagull V amphibian aircraft A2-2 being hoisted by crane aboard HMAS Sydney II.Weymouth, England. c. 1935-09. Supermarine Seagull V amphibian aircraft A2-2 being hoisted by crane aboard HMAS Sydney II.HMAS Sydney’s Supermarine Walrus (A2-2) being recovered by HMAS Sydney June 21, 1940 after being attacked by R.A.F. Gloster Gladiator aircraftHMAS Sydney’s Supermarine Walrus (A2-2) showing bullet holes after being attacked by R.A.F. Gloster Gladiator aircraftHMAS Sydney’s Supermarine Walrus (A2-2) showing bullet holes after being attacked by R.A.F. Gloster Gladiator aircraft
A2-3
Supermarine Seagull V A2-3 registered as VH-BGP
A2-4
Supermarine Seagull V A2-4Supermarine Seagull V A2-4 at Williamtown Feb 1946Supermarine Seagull V A2-4 registered as VH-ALB for Amphibious Air Charters 28 September 1964Supermarine Seagull V VH-ALB of Amphibious Charters ex-A2-4Wreck of Supermarine Seagull V A2-4 registered as VH-ALB
A2-5
Supermarine Seagull V A2-5 on HMAS CanberraSupermarine Seagull V A2-5
A2-6
Supermarine Seagull V A2-6 being launchedSupermarine Seagull V A2-6Supermarine Seagull V A2-6 YQ-JSupermarine Seagull V A2-6
A2-7
Supermarine Seagull V A2-7 being loaded onto HMAS Sydney in 1939
A2-8
Supermarine Seagull V A2-8A line-up of Supermarine Seagull V amphibians with A2-8 at the frontSupermarine Seagull V A2-8 at Point Cook
A2-9
A2-10
A2-11
A2-12
A line-up of Supermarine Seagull V amphibians with A2-12 at the front
A2-13
Supermarine Seagull V A2-13
A2-14
A2-15
A2-16
Supermarine Seagull V A2-16 being launchedSupermarine Seagull V A2-16
A2-17
A2-18
A2-19
A2-20
Supermarine Seagull V A2-20Supermarine Seagull V A2-20Supermarine Seagull V A2-20
A2-21
Supermarine Seagull V A2-21 on HMAS SydneyHMAS Sydney’s Supermarine Walrus (A2-21) being recovered by HMAS Sydney June 21, 1940 after being attacked by R.A.F. Gloster Gladiator aircraftHMAS Sydney’s Supermarine Walrus (A2-21) being recovered by HMAS Sydney June 21, 1940 after being attacked by R.A.F. Gloster Gladiator aircraftHMAS Sydney’s Supermarine Walrus (A2-21) showing bullet holes after being attacked by R.A.F. Gloster Gladiator aircraftHMAS Sydney’s Supermarine Walrus (A2-21) showing bullet holes after being attacked by R.A.F. Gloster Gladiator aircraft
A2-22
Supermarine Seagull V A2-22 at Rathmines NSW 1941Supermarine Seagull V A2-22
A2-23
A2-24
Supermarine Seagull V A2-24 on HMAS AustraliaSupermarine Seagull V A2-24 being catapulted from HMAS Australia
Supermarine Seagull V amphibian aircraft prepared for take-off from its catapultSupermarine Seagull V A2-5 on HMAS CanberraSupermarine Seagull V amphibian aircraft being launched from its catapult
Supermarine Seagull V A2-7 being loaded onto HMAS Sydney in 1939Weymouth, England. Sep 1935 Supermarine Seagul V amphibian aircraft A2-2 being prepared for hoisting aboard HMAS SydneyWeymouth, England. c. 1935-09. Supermarine Seagull V amphibian aircraft A2-2 being hoisted by crane aboard HMAS Sydney II.Weymouth, England. c. 1935-09. Supermarine Seagull V amphibian aircraft A2-2 being hoisted by crane aboard HMAS Sydney II.RAAF Seagull V aircraft, serial A2-18, on HMAS Sydney (II)circa 1938-39, a Supermarine Seagull Mk.V (A2-9)Supermarine Seagull V A2-21 on HMAS SydneyA Supermarine Walrus being recovered by HMAS Sydney C. 1941.HMAS Sydney’s Supermarine Walrus (A2-21) being recovered by HMAS Sydney June 21, 1940 after being attacked by R.A.F. Gloster Gladiator aircraftHMAS Sydney’s Supermarine Walrus (A2-21) being recovered by HMAS Sydney June 21, 1940 after being attacked by R.A.F. Gloster Gladiator aircraftHMAS Sydney’s Supermarine Walrus (A2-21) showing bullet holes after being attacked by R.A.F. Gloster Gladiator aircraftHMAS Sydney’s Supermarine Walrus (A2-21) showing bullet holes after being attacked by R.A.F. Gloster Gladiator aircraft
