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Supermarine Sea King

From Alfawiki
Supermarine
IndustryAircraft manufacturing
Founded1913
Headquarters
Woolston, Southampton
,
United Kingdom
Key people
Reginald Mitchell (chief designer from 1919)
ProductsAircraft, including the Supermarine Sea King series

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The Supermarine Sea King was a British single-seat amphibious biplane fighter, designed by Supermarine in 1919. It evolved from the earlier Supermarine Baby and Supermarine Sea Lion I models, featuring a single-seat biplane configuration powered by a pusher 160 horsepower (120 kW) Beardmore 160 hp engine. Its maiden flight took place in early 1920, and it was showcased by Supermarine at the 1920 Olympia London exhibition in London. Prior to the event, the manufacturer published technical drawings of the aircraft; however, the model displayed was likely a modified version of the Supermarine Baby.

In 1921, Supermarine's newly appointed chief designer Reginald Mitchell undertook a redesign of the Sea King, possibly aiming to fulfill the Air Ministry's criteria for a fighter capable of operating both from an aircraft carrier and water surfaces. This updated version, named Sea King II, was equipped with a 300 horsepower (220 kW) Hispano-Suiza 8 engine. After its first flight in December 1921, it exhibited remarkable agility and stability but was ultimately not selected for mass production. Subsequently, Mitchell rebuilt the aircraft, installing a Napier Lion engine and renaming it the Supermarine Sea Lion II. This variant went on to secure victory in the 1922 Schneider Trophy competition.

Sea King I

File:Supermarine Sea King Plan.png
General arrangement drawings of the Supermarine Sea King I

On 29 October 1919, Supermarine began designing a single-seat flying boat fighter. This design was based on the earlier Supermarine Baby and its derivative, the Supermarine Sea Lion I.[1] The Baby prototype had completed its initial flight in February 1918,[2][3] but did not participate in World War I combat operations[4], and was retired after the war ended.[1] The Sea Lion I took part in the 1919 Schneider Trophy race; however, the event’s results were voided due to confusion caused by fog.[5]

The finalized design, called the Sea King, was a single-seat biplane powered by a pusher configuration 160 horsepower (120 kW) Beardmore engine. Specific details about its original design remain limited. The machine gun mounting was positioned low to provide the pilot with an unobstructed forward field of view.[1]

Sea King II

In 1921, Reginald Mitchell, who had by then become Supermarine's chief designer, developed an updated version of the Sea King. This redesign was likely intended to satisfy the criteria of Specification N6/22, which called for a fighter aircraft capable of operating both from an aircraft carrier deck and water surfaces.[6] Six months after finalizing the design, in December 1921, the aircraft was constructed and prepared for testing.[7]

The Sea King II emerged as a single-seat biplane featuring a wooden hull, retractable main landing gear, and a fixed tail skid. Its tail underwent significant redesign, adopting a monoplane configuration mounted midway up the single fin, with an enlarged fin and rudder compared to the Sea King I. Propulsion was provided by a solitary 300 horsepower (220 kW) Hispano-Suiza 8 engine.[7] Access to the starting handle and petrol cap was located behind the pilot's seat. The undercarriage struts were engineered to absorb shocks upon landing, thereby protecting the hull. A distinctive characteristic of the Sea King II was an air tube running through the hull to supply air to the rear step.[note 1][9]

This model marked Mitchell's first aircraft design after assuming the role of Chief Designer at Supermarine in 1919.[10][11] The design prioritized straightforward maintenance; notably, the engine was mounted separately from the wings, and only 18 bolts needed removal to detach the wing assembly, powerplant, and undercarriage.[9]

Operational history

File:Supermarine Sea King at the Olympia Show 1920.jpg
The Supermarine Sea King I displayed at the 1920 Olympia Show

The Sea King I is believed to have made its maiden flight in early 1920 after construction, although it may never have flown as it was never officially registered.[12] Neither the precise date nor the identity of its test pilot is documented. Supermarine showcased this aircraft at the 1920 Olympia Show in London, where it stood as the only single-seat seaplane fighter present.[1] Prior to this event, Supermarine released design drawings of the Sea King; however, the exhibited plane was likely a modified N60 Baby model.[13] Records indicate that wing structure alterations were made before its Olympia appearance, and performance improvements were noted when powered by a Siddeley Puma engine.[1]

The Sea King II received registration as E-BAH in December 1921 and was designated as the Supermarine Amphibian Scout at that time.[12] Its inaugural flight occurred within that same month.[14] During testing, it demonstrated remarkable agility and stability on water without exhibiting 'porpoising' or bouncing upon touchdown.[10] Despite these positive attributes, it was not chosen for mass production,[12] with preference given to the Fairey Flycatcher and Parnall Plover. Both were biplanes capable of conversion between conventional tailwheel undercarriage and floats; small quantities were ordered for further assessment. The Flycatcher ultimately secured selection for deployment aboard the Royal Navy's aircraft carriers.[6]

Legacy

File:Sea Lion II hull and Napier Lion engine on display.jpg
Displayed are the Sea Lion II's hull and its Napier Lion engine. R.J. Mitchell is pictured second from the left.

Mitchell transformed the Sea King II into a competitive racing flying boat by equipping it with a Napier Lion engine, resulting in the Supermarine Sea Lion II. This aircraft secured victory in the 1922 Schneider Trophy competition.[10] The Sea Lion II was driven by a 450 hp (340 kW) Napier Lion powerplant,[15] which was provided on loan by Napier.[16] This upgrade boosted the engine output by 50 percent.[17] The plane achieved an average speed of 145.7 mph (234.5 km/h) during the race.[15] This win marked the first international competition triumph for a British aircraft after World War I, significantly enhancing Supermarine's reputation.[17]

Variants

Sea King I
A single-seat flying boat fighter powered by either a 160 horsepower (120 kW) Beardmore or a 240 horsepower (180 kW) Siddeley Puma engine. Only one unit was constructed.[10]
Sea King II
An updated version of the Sea King I, modified in 1922.[14] It featured a 300 horsepower (220 kW) Hispano engine.

Specifications (Sea King I)

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Specifications (Sea King II)

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See also

Notes

  1. ↑ A step refers to a discontinuity in the bottom surface of a flying boat.[8]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Andrews & Morgan 1981, p. 52.
  2. ↑ Pegram 2016, p. 19.
  3. ↑ Bruce 1957, p. 647.
  4. ↑ Andrews & Morgan 1981, p. 4.
  5. ↑ Pegram 2016, pp. 23Template:Ndash24.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Lewis 1979, p. 143.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Andrews & Morgan 1981, p. 54.
  8. ↑ Rathbun 1918, chapter 25 (Glossary of aeronautical words).
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Andrews & Morgan 1981, p. 55.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Andrews & Morgan 1981, p. 56.
  11. ↑ Price 2002, p. 11.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Pegram 2016, p. 34.
  13. ↑ Pegram 2016, p. 27.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Andrews & Morgan 1981, p. 355.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Jackson 1988, p. 314.
  16. ↑ Andrews & Morgan 1981, p. 60.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Pegram 2016, p. 36.

Sources

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