Supermarine Sea Lion I
| Industry | Aerospace |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1913 in Southampton, England |
| Founder | Reginald Mitchell (chief designer from 1916) |
| Headquarters | Southampton , United Kingdom |
| Products | Aircraft, including the Sea Lion I racing flying boat |
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The Supermarine Sea Lion I—initially known simply as the Supermarine Sea Lion—was a British racing flying boat crafted by Supermarine specifically for the Schneider Trophy event held in Bournemouth, England, in September 1919. Its design was derived from a variant of the Supermarine Baby, which holds the distinction of being the United Kingdom's first single-seat flying boat fighter aircraft, having made its inaugural flight in February 1918.
Registered under the identifier G-EALP, the Sea Lion secured a competitive edge over an Avro 539, earning its place among Britain's official entries. On race day, 10 September, dense fog obscured visibility along the course, compelling pilot Basil Hobbs to execute an unplanned water landing. During the subsequent takeoff attempt, damage occurred to the hull. Later, while on the water again during the competition, the aircraft capsized and sank due to this earlier impairment. The race itself concluded amid confusion, leading to the annulment of results. The Sea Lion sustained irreparable damage and was ultimately dismantled.
Background and development
The Sea Lion I was engineered to serve as Britain's contender in the 1919 Schneider Trophy competition, which had not been held since 1914 when Britain emerged victorious. The Royal Aero Club organised this renewed contest.
Its design evolved from a version of the Supermarine Baby, originally created to satisfy Navy Board specification N.1B. The prototype Baby was notable as Britain’s first single-seat flying boat fighter aircraft. Initially powered by a 150 horsepower (110 kW) engine during its maiden flight in February 1918, it later adopted a 200 horsepower (150 kW) Napier Lion engine arranged in a pusher configuration.
A second Baby was assembled but never flew; instead, it was supplied as spare parts to aid prototype testing. A third unit (N61) remained unassembled when the N.1B programme was discontinued. This third aircraft represented a modified iteration of the prototype Baby and appeared in Supermarine’s 1919 promotional brochure under the designation 'A' Single Seater Flying Boat. This model was chosen to compete in the 1919 Schneider Trophy race.
Design
The N61 incorporated a patented hull concept developed by Supermarine's lead designer William Hargreaves in 1918.[1] This hull, originally created by Linton Hope for the AD Flying Boat, is believed to have been adapted for use on the Sea Lion I.[2][3]
The Sea Lion’s design featured a hull cross-section that tapered upwards towards the aft (rear). Its bow was shaped specifically to deflect water spray effectively.[1] The aircraft’s wings were redesigned with a reduced chord compared to the original Baby model, incorporating modified ailerons on the upper wing and enlarged rudder and elevators.[1] Notably, the upper and lower wings differed in span, and the struts connecting them were angled outward.[2] Power was supplied by an early Napier Lion engine, lent by its manufacturer and mounted independently.[2][4] Additionally, the fin and rudder were larger than those fitted on the Baby.[2]
Reginald Joseph Mitchell, who joined Supermarine in 1916 and succeeded Hargreaves as chief designer, likely contributed to the Sea Lion’s design and its preparation for competition.[4]
Operational history
Registered as racing flying boat G-EALP, the Sea Lion was entered in the 1919 Schneider Trophy contest.[5] Since only three aircraft per nation were permitted to compete, a selection event was necessary among four British manufacturers intending to participate.[4] The Sea Lion faced competition from another biplane, the Avro 539. Following accidental damage to the Avro before trials commenced, the Sea Lion was equipped with a newly arrived propeller. Although it was slower than the Avro during trials, the Sea Lion was ultimately chosen based on its overall performance; the Avro remained as a reserve entry.[4][2]
On 10 September, race day,[6] Henri Biard of Supermarine conducted passenger flights over Swanage Bay using the aircraft.[7] Due to foggy weather, the race start was postponed until approximately 5 p.m.[8]
The Sea Lion arrived around 1 p.m., moored alongside Supermarine’s vessel Tiddleywinks. Remaining on water before the race helped it avoid damage sustained by competitors that landed on Cowes beach. When the planes took off, dense fog obscured navigation; Squadron leader Basil D. Hobbs, piloting the Sea Lion, had to land mid-race near Swanage Bay to reorient himself after losing his bearings. Upon resuming flight, he collided with floating debris which tore a hole in the hull. The damaged flying boat made its compulsory first lap landing near Bournemouth Pier but capsized with its tail raised and subsequently sank, forcing Hobbs to withdraw from the competition. He was rescued at the crash site; meanwhile, the wreck was towed to Boscombe Pier and returned to Supermarine's facility at Woolston, Southampton. The aircraft was deemed irreparable.[7][8][9]
The race concluded in disorder due to poor visibility, leading to annulled results.[7] Although Supermarine gained recognition from participating in the event, losing the Sea Lion represented a setback for the company.[10] The damaged hull was restored and later donated in 1921 to London’s Science Museum, London#Science Museum where it was exhibited. By 1928, with Supermarine’s consent, this obsolete hull was dismantled.[11]
Specifications (Sea Lion I)
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Pegram 2016, p. 22.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Andrews & Morgan 1981, p. 57.
- ↑ Andrews & Morgan 1981, p. 355.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Pegram 2016, p. 23.
- ↑ Eves 2001, pp. 52, 56.
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Pegram 2016, pp. 23–24.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Andrews & Morgan 1981, p. 58.
- ↑ Eves 2001, pp. 55–59.
- ↑ Pegram 2016, pp. 24, 26.
- ↑ Andrews & Morgan 1981, p. 59.
Sources
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Further reading
- Jackson, A. J., British Civil Aircraft 1919–1972, 2nd edition, Volume 3, Putnam, London, 1974, pp. 56–68, ISBN 978-0-370-10014-2
- Flight magazine, "Schneider Cup Contest," Royal Aero Club, London, 18 September 1919, pp. 1244–1254, available via Internet Archive — a detailed review of the 1919 Schneider Cup competition.
External links
- British Aircraft Directory: "Supermarine Sea Lion" (accessed 4 June 2020; originally published 26 March 2005; archived 6 February 2008)
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- 1910s British sport aircraft
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- Aircraft first flown in 1919
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