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Aviation History
1934
1934 - 0416.PDF
FLIGHT, APRIL 26. 1934 VICKERS SUPERMARINE "SCAPA A non-stop flight of 10 hours' duration followed by trials totalling 15,000 miles preceded the placing of an order by the British Air Ministry for a number of " Scapa" flying boats fitted with Rolls-Royce "Kestrel" engines FTER a period which many regard as needlessly long, the re-equipment of the Coastal Area flying- boat squadrons has begun in real earnest, and among the types to be adopted is the " Scapa," designed and built by the Supermarine Aviation Works (Vickers), Ltd., at Woolston, Southampton. Rarely has the prototype of an aircraft destined for the R.A.F. been subjected to such searching tests as those which preceded the placing of the order for the " Scapas." First the machine completed a non-stop flight of ten hours over the North Sea, and then it was flown to the Mediterranean and down the Nile, getting as far south as Port Sudan on the shores of the Red Sea. During its cruise the machine covered the distance of 15,000 miles, in the course of which the following non-stop flights were made: —Plymouth- Etang de Berre ; Etang de Berre-Malta ; Malta-Gibraltar ; Gibraltar-Malta ; Malta-Aboukir ; Aboukir-Lake Timsah ; Lake Timsah-Port Sudan ; Port Sudan-Lake Timsah ; Lake Timsah-Gulf of Sollum ; Gulf of Sollum-Malta ; Malta- Gibraltar ; Gibraltar-St. Nazaire ; St. Nazaire-Felixstowe. The full schedule of tests planned was successfully carried out, and included take-offs, maintaining flight and climb- ing on one engine. While the machine was afloat, each of its two engines was changed by the aid of the portable slinging gear carried on board. Thus it is evident that the " Scapa " can be operated as a self-sufficient unit far from its base, provided the necessary fuel bases within its flying range are available. Performance figures have not ASHORE ; The " Scapa " on its launching trolley The machine is not an amphibian, and the trolley is, of course, left behind when the flying boat is afloat. 416
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