bomber Archives - Page 9 of 20 - Destination's Journey

Blackburn Cubaroo Torpedo Bomber

Blackburn Cubaroo Torpedo Bomber

The Blackburn Cubaroo was designed in response to a British Air Ministry request for a coastal defence torpedo bomber. The aircraft was to have a long range, (800 miles – 1,300km) and be capable of carrying a full-sized 21-inch torpedo. It was thought at the time that this size weapon would be capable of sinking even the most heavily armoured ship. Other torpedo bombers at the time only carried smaller less effective torpedoes.

The Cubaroo was designed to be powered by a single 1,000 hp (750 kW) Napier Cub X-16 engine. The resulting aircraft was the largest single engined biplane to have flown at this time.

First flying in 1924, it was written off after its undercarriage collapsed on 2 February 1925. A second prototype flew in 1925, but the Air Ministry had by then lost interest in single-engine heavy bombers, so the second prototype was used as an engine testbed, flying with the experimental 1,100 hp (820 kW) Beardmore Simoon diesel engine.

Supermarine Seagull II

Supermarine Seagull II

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 N-158 — Supermarine Seagull prototype N-158

Supermarine Seal

Supermarine Seal II

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 II Seagull 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.