Supermarine Sea Lion II

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Sea Lion II and III
Type Racing flying-boat
Manufacturer Supermarine Aviation Works
Maiden flight 1922
Number built 1

The Supermarine Sea Lion II was a British racing flying boat designed and built by the Supermarine Aviation Works for the 1922 Schneider Trophy at Naples, Italy which it went on to win. The earlier racing flying boat for the 1919 Schneider Trophy the Sea Lion I was a different design.

[edit] Development

In need for a contender for the 1922 Schneider Trophy race Supermarine developed a racing flying boat as a modification of their Sea King II. The Sea King was a single-seat biplane amphibian powered by a 300hp Hispano Suiza engine in pusher configuration that had first flown in 1921. Modified as a flying boat with a 450hp Napier Lion engine, G-EBAH was entered into the 1922 race. Flown by Henri Baird, it won the race at an an average speed of 145.7 mph (234.48km).

For the 1923 Schneider Race to be held at Cowes, England, the aircraft was re-engined with a 550hp (410kW) Napier Lion and redesignated Sea Lion III. The aircraft only managed third place behind the American Curtiss CR-3 seaplanes. The aircraft was transferred to the Royal Air Force in 1923.

[edit] Operators

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[edit] Specifications (Sea Lion II)

Data from British Aircraft Directory

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 24 ft 9 in ( m)
  • Wingspan: 32 ft 0 in ( m)
  • Wing area: 384 ft² ( m²)
  • Empty weight: 2115 lb ( kg)
  • Gross weight: 2850 lb ( kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Napier Lion, 450 hp ( kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 160 mph ( km/h)
  • Endurance: 3 hours  0 min

[edit] See also

Related lists


[edit] References

  • A.J.Jackson, British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 3, Putnam & Company, London, 1974, ISBN 370 10014 X
  • The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985), 1985, Orbis Publishing, Page 2992
  • British Aircraft Directory