aeroplane Archives - Page 16 of 54 - Destination's Journey

Supermarine Seagull III

An improved version of the Supermarine Seagull II, the Seagull III was specifically built for the Royal Australian Navy for operations from the seaplane tender HMAS Albatross. Compared to the Mk II, the Mk III had a more powerful engine ( a Napier Lion V while the Mk. II had a Lion III). The first six aircraft arrived in January 1926, with a further three arriving the following year.

The Seagulls were operated by No. 101 Flight RAAF, and initially worked with HMAS Moresby during 1926 and 1927, assisting in the photographic survey of the Great Barrier Reef. From February 1929 to April 1933, six of the Seagulls served on board HMAS Albatross, where they served as spotting, shadowing and reconnaissance aircraft. They were transferred to HMAS Canberra and HMAS Australia when Albatross became held in reserve in 1932. The Seagull IIIs were withdrawn from active service or scrapped in 1936; they were superseded by the Supermarine Seagull V.

Supermarine Seagull A9-1

Supermarine Seagull III A9-1 just after being built

Supermarine Seagull A9-2

Supermarine Seagull III A9-2 of No. 101 Fleet Co-operation Flight RAAF

Supermarine Seagull III A9-2 of No. 101 Fleet Co-operation Flight RAAF

Supermarine Seagull A9-3

Supermarine Seagull III A9-3 of No. 101 Fleet Co-operation Flight RAAF being hoisted out of the water and aboard HMAS Albatross — Supermarine Seagull III A9-3

Supermarine Seagull A9-4

Supermarine Seagull A9-5

Supermarine Seagull III A9-5 being hoisted aboard HMAS Canberra

Supermarine Seagull A9-6

Supermarine Seagull A9-7

Supermarine Seagull A9-8

With its wings folded back, a Supermarine Seagull III of No. 101 Fleet Co-operation Flight RAAF is about to be lowered into the hold — Supermarine Seagull III A9-8

Supermarine Seagull A9-9

Supermarine Seagull III A9-9 on HMAS Australia 21 Sep 1932

Supermarine Seagull III A9-9 on HMAS Australia 21 Sep 1932

Supermarine Seagull Unidentified

Supermarine Seagull III Amphibians Operating From HMAS Albatross

Supermarine Seagull III A9-2 of No. 101 Fleet Co-operation Flight RAAF being lowered onto the deck of HMAS Albatross — With its wings folded back, a Supermarine Seagull III of No. 101 Fleet Co-operation Flight RAAF is about to be lowered into the hold

Supermarine Seagull III Amphibians Operating From HMAS Australia

Supermarine Seagull III on HMAS Australia 21 Sep 1932

Supermarine Seagull III Amphibians Operating From HMAS Canberra

Supermarine Seagull III A9-5 of101 Fleet Co-operation Flight RAAF next to HMAS Canberra — Seagull Amphibian 24 September 1921

Vultee XP-54 Swoose Goose

Vultee XP-54 Swoose Goose resulted from United States Army Air Corps proposal R-40C issued on 27 November 1939 for aircraft with improved performance, armament, and pilot visibility over existing fighters; it specifically allowed for unconventional aircraft designs. Also designed to this request were the Curtiss XP-55 Ascender and the Northrop XP-56 Black Bullet.

Initially designed as a low-altitude interceptor, this was changed to a high-altitude interceptor. The resulting addition of a pressurized cockpit led to a unique pilot entry method, where the seat acted as an elevator. The seat was lowered and raised electrically while the pilot at it it. Bail out was also complicated by the pusher propellors and a downward firing ejector seat was installed.

Two prototypes were built (41-1210 and 42-108994, although the second was wrongly marked 42-1211). Performance fell short of design expectations, which combined with project delays and increased costs led to its cancellation. Both aircraft saw out their days as experimental airframes until a lock of spare parts led to their grounding.

Republic XF-12 Rainbow

The Republic XF-12 Rainbow was a four-engined reconnaissance aircraft designed for the USAAF. Designed during the Second World War, the first of two prototypes had its first flight on the 4th of February 1946.

On the 10th of July 1947, the first prototype had its right main gear severed at the engine nacelle while landing during maximum load tests. The aircraft bounced and the pilot took the aircraft up to a safe altitude. During the resulting crash landing, the right wing spar was cracked and the two starboard engines needed replacing. Republic repaired the XF-12 and it was returned to service.

The second prototype crashed on the 7th of November 1948 when the port inner engine exploded, causing violent buffeting. Five of the seven crew escaped safely while two crew members were killed.

With the end of the Second World War and the introduction of jet aircraft, the USAAF lost interest in the project. When no orders were received, flight testing of the remaining XF-11 was wound down and ceased in 1952.

Republic proposed an airliner version of the XF-12, called the RC-2. Although tentative interest was shown by several airlines, the projected operating costs were higher than competing aircraft and no RC-2s were built.