Supermarine Sea Otter
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| Sea Otter | |
|---|---|
| Type | Flying boat |
| Manufacturer | Supermarine |
| Maiden flight | 23 September 1938 |
| Primary users | RAF Royal Navy |
| Produced | 1942-1945 |
| Number built | 292 |
| Developed from | Supermarine Walrus |
The Supermarine Sea Otter, the development of the Walrus, was intended to have a longer range. It was the last biplane flying boat to be designed by Supermarine.
Contents |
[edit] Development
The main difference between the Walrus and the Sea Otter was in the mounting of the power plant. The Walrus had a rear-facing engine with a pusher propeller. The Sea Otter's engine faced forward with the normal tractor propeller.
There was considerable development of the power plant/propeller combination during the design of the Sea Otter, which at its concept was called the "Stingray". The original test aircraft had a Bristol Perseus XI engine with a two-bladed propeller. This gave insufficient thrust so a two-position three blade was tried. This was changed again to a four-blade with the pairs of blades set at an angle of 35°, instead of the usual 90°. The first flight took place on 23 September 1938, but it was not until January 1942 that the Air Ministry placed a production order. Due to cooling troubles found with the Perseus, the power plant was changed for production aircraft to the Bristol Mercury XXX engine driving a three-bladed airscrew. The Sea Otter was used by both the RAF and the Royal Navy for Air Sea Rescue (ASR) and patrol roles.
[edit] Production
Of the 592 aircraft ordered, only 292 were built due to the end of the Second World War. Eight aircraft were brought for the Royal Danish Air Force, and another eight were supplied to the Dutch Naval Air Arm. The colonial service of France purchased six Sea Otters for use in Indo-China.
[edit] Variants
- Sea Otter Mk I : Reconnaissance and communications flying boat.
- Sea Otter Mk II : Air Sea Rescue flying bloat.
[edit] Operators
- Operated by French colonial service in Indochina
[edit] Specifications (Sea Otter)
General characteristics
- Crew: Four
- Length: 39 ft 10¾ in (12.2 m)
- Wingspan: 46 ft 0 in (14.0 m)
- Height: 15 ft 1½ in (4.61 m)
- Wing area: 620 ft² (56.7 m²)
- Empty weight: 6,805 lb (3086 kg)
- Loaded weight: 10,000 lb (4536 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Bristol Mercury XXX , 965 hp (720 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 163 mph at 4,500 ft (262.3 km/h at 1371 m)
- Range: 600 miles (1110 km)
- Service ceiling: 17,000 ft (5181 m)
- Rate of climb: 870 ft/min to 5,000 ft (265 m/min to 1524 m)
- Extended Range : 920 miles (1480 km) with overloaded tank
Armament
- 1 × Vickers machine gun and twin Vickers K machine guns
- 4 × 250 lb (112 kg) bombs
This aircraft article is missing some (or all) of its specifications. If you have a source, you can help Wikipedia by adding them.[edit] Reference
"Supermarine Aircraft since 1914" by Andrews & Morgan - published by Putnam 1981 - ISBN 0-370-10018-2
[edit] Related content
Designation sequence
Supermarine Walrus - Supermarine Sea Otter - Supermarine Seagull
Related lists
List of aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm
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