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Supermarine Air Yacht

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Supermarine Air Yacht
Company typeAircraft
IndustryAviation
PredecessorSupermarine Solent
Founded1929 in Woolston, Southampton, England
FounderR. J. Mitchell (designer)
FateOnly one unit produced; scrapped after crash in 1933
Headquarters
Woolston, Southampton
,
United Kingdom
Area served
Private luxury flying yacht market
Key people
R. J. Mitchell (lead designer), Ernest Guinness (original client)
ProductsLuxury flying boat (flying yacht)
OwnerSupermarine (manufacturer)
ParentSupermarine

Template:Good article

Template:Infobox aircraft The Supermarine Air Yacht represented a British luxury flying boat designed for passenger transport. Conceived by Supermarine's lead designer, R. J. Mitchell, it was constructed in Woolston, Southampton, during 1929. Commissioned by the brewing industry tycoon Ernest Guinness, this aircraft was notable as the first British flying yacht custom-built for a private client. Only a single unit was ever produced.

Designed to achieve a range of approximately 2,000 miles (3,200 km) without refuelling, the Air Yacht targeted a cruising velocity near 100 miles per hour (160 km/h). Its design bore similarities to the Dornier Do J, featuring a rectangular, flat-sided wing with a span of 92 feet (28 m), mounted high above the fuselage. The aircraft employed three engines positioned on the wing's leading edge, while its tail assembly included a single braced tailplane equipped with three vertical fins and rudders. The interior was appointed with considerable luxury, comprising an enclosed cabin for the owner alongside a separate compartment accommodating five additional passengers.

The aircraft's maiden flight occurred in February 1930, followed by evaluation trials at Felixstowe in the subsequent year. Although handling characteristics were satisfactory, it suffered from insufficient power and exhibited poor climbing performance; as a result, its original engines were replaced with Armstrong Siddeley Panther units. Despite these modifications, Guinness declined to finalize the purchase, leading to the aircraft being placed into storage. In October 1932, ownership transferred to Mrs June Jewett James, an affluent American resident locally. Shortly thereafter, the Air Yacht departed England bound for Egypt; however, adverse weather conditions necessitated an emergency landing near Cherbourg, where all onboard—including crew and passengers—were safely rescued. On 25 January 1933, engine failure compelled the aircraft to ditch in the Gulf of Naples, resulting in multiple injuries. The plane was subsequently recovered and seized by Italian authorities but sustained damage beyond repair and was ultimately sold for scrap.

Development

photograph of the Supermarine works
The Supermarine factory located in Woolston, Hampshire

The chief designer at Supermarine, R. J. Mitchell, was responsible for creating two air yachts, both originally derived from military projects. One of these was the Supermarine Nanok, an armed adaptation of the Supermarine Southampton constructed at the company's Woolston facility for the Danish government. However, the aircraft’s performance was unsatisfactory, leading to its rejection by Denmark.[1] Subsequently, its hull was transformed into a luxury cruiser named the Supermarine Solent, which was purchased in 1928 by Ernest Guinness, a member of the renowned Guinness family.[2] By 1930, Guinness owned this air yacht along with three additional aircraft, making him the individual with the largest private fleet in Britain.[3] The Solent carried civilian registration GTemplate:NdashAAAB.[1] Guinness frequently traveled between Southampton Water and Lough Corrib, near his family estate.[1] Despite its luxury status, the Solent’s hull had limited internal height, preventing passengers from standing upright inside.[4]

Seeking a replacement for the Solent, Guinness commissioned Mitchell to design a second luxury craft known as the Supermarine Air Yacht. This new aircraft was intended for recreational cruising around the Mediterranean.[5][4] It holds the distinction of being the first British flying yacht constructed specifically for a private client and marked Supermarine's initial venture into multi-engine monoplane configurations.[6] The design was adapted from a 1927 proposal originally developed to meet specification R5/27 for a reconnaissance flying boat for the Royal Air Force,[7][5] and was built at Supermarine's Woolston works in 1929.[4] The contract price was set at £34,888 (Template:Inflation), though actual production expenses escalated to £52,000 (Template:Inflation).[6]

Design

The finalized design featured a flying boat with a weight of approximately 10.1 long tons (10.3 t),[6] powered by three Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar radial engines.[5] A notable design element was the use of hull-mounted sponsons rather than the traditional wing-mounted floats typical of such aircraft, giving it an appearance similar to the German Dornier Do J;[5] one Supermarine employee later remarked that Mitchell "had allowed himself to be influenced by some of his talented staff into adopting ideas from others."[2] Departing from wooden biplane construction, Mitchell opted for a metal-built monoplane,[2] with its wing positioned high above the fuselage on supporting struts for lateral stability.[5][8] The rectangular parasol wing spanned 92 feet (28 m),[6] supported by slanting V-shaped struts and reinforced with horizontal corrugations.[2] The trio of radial engines were mounted along the wing’s leading edge. The tail assembly featured a single braced horizontal stabilizer with three vertical fins and corresponding rudders.[9] Fabric covered all exterior surfaces.[2]

With full fuel tanks, 600 pounds (270 kg) of baggage load, and a minimum crew complement of three, the Air Yacht was engineered to fly up to 2,000 miles (3,200 km) without needing to refuel.[6][10] Its intended cruising speed was around 100 \mph[convert: unknown unit], with maximum speeds estimated between [convert: invalid number],[6].

Crew members operated from open cockpits located at the front of the aircraft. The owner enjoyed an enclosed cabin equipped with private amenities including a toilet, bath, and bed, while accommodations for five additional passengers were provided in a separate cabin with seating arrangements. The galley was situated beneath the wing area.[9][11] Passenger quarters were appointed with deep-pile carpeting and upscale furnishings; their cabin measured approximately 35 feet (11 m) in length, 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) in height, and 8 feet (2.4 m) in width.[2][5]

Performance

photograph of the Supermarine Air Yacht
The Air Yacht featuring its updated engines

The aircraft known as the Air Yacht, registered as G-AASE, completed its inaugural flight in February 1930 at Hythe, Hampshire.[12] In the summer of 1931, it underwent evaluation at the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment (MAEE) located in Felixstowe.[1] During tests with a payload of 24,000 pounds (11,000 kg), the aircraft demonstrated satisfactory handling; however, it was unable to maintain altitude when fuel flow was decreased. The sponsons contributed to excessive aerodynamic drag, and one experienced structural failure.[13] The loss of power in one engine prevented the aircraft from sustaining the necessary altitude to be deemed safe.[5] Further testing indicated that the plane suffered from insufficient power, required a lengthy takeoff distance, and exhibited poor climb performance.[13]

To address these issues, the original three engines were swapped for three Armstrong Siddeley Panther units,[9] which enhanced the flying boat's top speed. Nonetheless, it still could not hold altitude when fully loaded with passengers, cargo, and fuel.[2] The aircraft received airworthiness certification on 22 December 1931,[1] yet it failed to satisfy Guinness's requirements and was subsequently declined by him. Guinness later acquired a Saro Cloud.[1][9]

Operational history

After being rejected for purchase, Supermarine placed the Air Yacht into storage.[5] In October 1932, a wealthy American woman named Mrs June Jewett James happened upon the aircraft and proceeded to buy it, despite having limited knowledge about piloting aircraft.[1][13] James announced plans to operate the flying boat as part of a scheduled trans-Atlantic passenger and cargo service following completion of testing.[14]

photograph of the wreckage of the Air Yacht
The salvaged remains of the Air Yacht following its crash

Shortly after Mrs James acquired the aircraft,[5] now renamed Windward III, it departed Woolston bound for Egypt on 11 October 1932. Onboard were June James, her daughter, a governess, and two crew members.[15][5] Due to worsening weather conditions during the journey, an unscheduled landing was made near Cherbourg.[5][16] While anchored in Cherbourg harbour on October 14, the occupants had to be rescued by tugboats and brought ashore where they awaited improved flying conditions.[11] The aircraft later continued to Naples, where James secured meetings with both Pope Pius XI and Italian leader Benito Mussolini.[2]

The trip towards Egypt resumed on 25 January 1933; however, an engine failure occurred during takeoff followed by a stall that forced the flying boat to ditch into the Gulf of Naples approximately 7 miles (11 km) off Sorrento.[13][15] Local fishermen rescued all aboard and later retrieved the aircraft from the water.[17] Mrs James sustained two broken ribs and a fractured leg in the incident.[2][17] The crash resulted in a broken wing, and authorities in Capri impounded the aircraft due to a Marine salvage claim. Being too damaged for repair, it never flew again and was sold for scrap the following year; only its engines were sent back to England.[1][18][15] In July 1933, James was declared bankrupt.[19][note 1]

Specifications

Template:Aircraft specs

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ In 1940, while residing in France, Mrs James offered shelter to fellow American Eugene Bullard and his daughters fleeing Paris after the Battle of France.[20]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Quill & Cox 1986, p. 66.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Shelton 2015.
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named 296POP
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Pegram 2016, p. 64.
  5. ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named BAE
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Motor Sport Magazine 1930, p. 39.
  7. ↑ Andrews & Morgan 1987, pp. 123Template:Ndash124.
  8. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Flight1930
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Andrews & Morgan 1987, p. 124.
  10. ↑ Pegram 2016, p. 109.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Flight1932
  12. ↑ Andrews & Morgan 1987, p. 125.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 Pegram 2016, p. 110.
  14. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  16. ↑ Jackson 1988, p. 317.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  18. ↑ Pegram 2016, p. 111.
  19. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  20. ↑ Glass 2011, p. 56.

Sources

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Further reading

  • Shelton, John. Schneider Trophy to Spitfire - The Design Career of R.J. Mitchell. Sparkford: Hayes Publishing, 2008. ISBN 978-1-84425-530-6

External links

Template:Supermarine aircraft

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