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Aviation History
1922
1922 - 0655.PDF
NOVEMBER 9, 1922 SUPERMARINES ABROAD FROM the time the Supermarine Aviation Works of Southamp ton first commenced operations (in 1912, we believe) their history has been one of steady progress. That this has been less rapid than many could have wished is in no way the fault of the firm, but is due to the very scant encouragement which this country has always given to marine type of aircraft. Nevertheless, the firm has stuck to its guns, and today it ranks among the foremost seaplane works of the world. One cannot help admiring the determination with which Mr. Scott-Paine and Commander Bird have carried on in the face of the greatest difficulties, and lately the firm learn that all have come up to the expectations which one naturally associates with the products of this firm. The "Channel type" naval training boat is fitted with a 240 h.p. Siddeley " Puma " engine, and as it is intended for school work it is, of course, fitted with dual controls. The type has done a great deal of useful work at home, and by way of indicating its efficiency it may be mentioned that an earlier model was fitted with an engine of 160 h.p. only (a fairly heavy one at that) and yet carried three passengers comfortably. With the higher-powered and lighter " Puma " the performance is naturally considerably better, and the SUPERMARINES IN JAPAN: 1. A "Seagull" amphibian flying boat with Napier "Lion" engine. 2. The "Seagull" taxying. 3. The "Seagull" flying over land. Note the lowered undercarriage. 4. A " Channel type " training machine with Siddeley "Puma " on the slipway. 5. The machine on the water. 6. The " Seagull " in flight. Note the gunner's cockpit aft of the planes. has b egun to reap, if but in somewhat small measure, the reward of its foresight. If those at home have failed to recognise the possibilities of seaplanes, many foreign Govern ments have shown more imagination, with the result that orders have been received from, and executed for, a number of countries. Among these is Japan, who, being an island nation, has not been slow in recognising how great is the potential value of the seaplane. We have been fortunate enough to secure the following photographs of various types of Supermarines in use by the Japanese Government, and_it is gratifying to 655 hull has been proved over and over again to be exceptionally strong and seaworthy. A latter model, the " Channel type, Mark II," also fitted with Siddeley " Puma," has had its front step re-designed, with the result that she is now very much " cleaner " on the water, as will be seen from one of our photographs showing this machine taxying. It may here be mentioned that the Mark II has been sold to the Chilian Government, and is now doing good work there. The machine is fitted with dual controls, the latest and most up-to-date wireless telegraphy and telephony sets, bomb-dropping gear for practice with C2
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