Aircraft Archives - Page 13 of 48 - Destination's Journey

Supermarine Seagull V

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.

Prototype

A2-1

Supermarine Seagull V A2-1 being craned onto HMAS Australia

Supermarine Seagull V A2-1 on HMAS Australia — Supermarine Seagull V A2-1 being craned onto HMAS Australia

A2-2

Supermarine Seagull V A2-2 over HMAS Sydney

Weymouth, England. c. 1935-09. Supermarine Seagull V amphibian aircraft A2-2 being hoisted by crane aboard HMAS Sydney II. — Supermarine Seagull V A2-2 over HMAS Sydney

A2-3

Supermarine Seagull V A2-3 registered as VH-BGP

A2-4

Supermarine Seagull V A2-4 at Williamtown Feb 1946 — Supermarine Seagull V A2-4

A2-5

Supermarine Seagull V A2-5 on HMAS Canberra

Supermarine Seagull V A2-5 on HMAS Canberra

A2-6

Supermarine Seagull V A2-6 being launched

Supermarine Seagull V A2-6 being launched

A2-7

Supermarine Seagull V A2-7 being loaded onto HMAS Sydney in 1939

A2-8

A line-up of Supermarine Seagull V amphibians with A2-8 at the front — Supermarine Seagull V A2-8

A2-9

A2-10

A2-11

A2-12

A2-13

A2-14

A2-15

A2-16

A2-17

A2-18

A2-19

A2-20

A2-21

A2-22

A2-23

A2-24

HMAS Australia

HMAS Canberra

Supermarine Seagull V amphibian aircraft prepared for take-off from its catapult

HMAS Perth

HMAS Sydney

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.