Supermarine Southampton

1925

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Supermarine Southampton

First appearing in 1925, the Southampton was a wooden or metal-hulled (Mk I and Mk II respectively) biplane flying boat powered by two 335kW Napier Lion V engines. The RAF received 68 and these were used by naval cooperation squadrons, mainly for reconnaissance duties.

Supermarine Southampton

Specification 
 MODELSouthampton Mk II
 ENGINE2 x Napier Lion VA W-12, 373kW
 WEIGHTS
  Take-off weight6895 kg15201 lb
  Empty weight4082 kg8999 lb
 DIMENSIONS
  Wingspan22.86 m75 ft 0 in
  Length15.58 m51 ft 1 in
  Height6.82 m22 ft 5 in
  Wing area134.61 m21448.93 sq ft
 PERFORMANCE
  Max. speed174 km/h108 mph
  Ceiling4265 m14000 ft
  Range1500 km932 miles
 ARMAMENT3 x 7.7mm machine-guns, 500kg of bombs

Comments
Anonymous, 14.11.2021 00:13

Not only did the Southampton enjoy a long and useful career with the RAF, but it was also the first Supermarine aircraft to be produced in significant quantities. The Southampton was also the first major success for designer R. J. Mitchell. The success of the Southampton enabled Supermarine and Mitchell to devote the time and money to perfect their Schneider Trophy Racers, the development of which eventually led to the famous Supermarine Spitfire fighter of World War II.

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David Edwards, e-mail, 02.03.2018 17:16

Replying to Bill Starkey. As a boy playing on the edge of Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club in the early 1950s I remember what I imagine was a Southhampton being used as a dwelling. It was parked against a sea-defence bank behind the Ferry Tea Rooms. What happened to it I don't know but it had probably been on the strength of RAF Felixstowe.

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william starkey, e-mail, 25.03.2016 09:27

I'm researching the conversion of the Southampton flying boats into houseboats around the 1930s.
Any help appreciated.
Regards
Bill

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Edwin Marshman, e-mail, 27.08.2014 22:49

I have a lovely framed print of three RAF Southampton Napier Flying Boats ,flying over some Sanpan vessels ,somewhere in the far east. The print is by John Young,Aeronautical Artist.

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Sierra Bravo, e-mail, 09.01.2011 07:19

These flying boats were also used in the Andaman & Nicobar islands circa 1930s, both to map the forests of Northern Andaman, and also "...to keep an eye on the Japanese fishing boats who were already planning an invasion". This information has come from "The Spotted Deer" by JH Williams, pp 175-183

[Quoted from the Andaman Nicobar mailing list at andamanicobar@yahoogroups.co.in]

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Jennie Sherborne, e-mail, 18.08.2010 11:52

My father George Pickering was a Supermarine Test Pilot after leaving the RAF in 1934. He tested the Southampton, Stranraer, and the Walrus before moving on to the Spitfire. If anyone has any interesting information about him I wou;d love to receive it. Thanks

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Bill Carter, e-mail, 17.03.2010 05:14

Can you enlighten me please?. I across a photo of this aircraft in an Australian book on flight, and found the RAAF had 2 of them (1927 to 1937) for coastal reconnaissance. I have 2 family photos of one of them taken at Low Isles Queensland about 1928 but it has only one motor, which looks larger and has 4 blade propellor

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Peter Malmgren, e-mail, 25.12.2009 17:10

I tried to e-mail Edwin Foster, but the mail is bounsing. If Edwin will see this, mail me and I can help You with some drawings.

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PTambling, e-mail, 10.03.2009 23:37

A lovely aircraft. My Grandad was an engineer on the Australian flight. I wish I listened harder!

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Edwin Foster, e-mail, 31.12.2008 00:40

As a boy, I remember these beatiful aircraft in their visits to the River Foyle,Londonderry.I have tried to get outline plan,side and front drawings with sections to make a scale model,with no sucess.No one seems to have even produced a plastic kit.Can anyone help,please?

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D. Matthews, e-mail, 19.12.2008 16:01

I have an early photograpgh in colour of a MK2 in flight. I believe my grandfather may have worked on it during his time with Supermarine

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Pat Hayes, e-mail, 10.01.2008 02:52

it is that i found 2 old blott pads with "on the minute"dependability on standardise on Shell spirit with a supermarine in flight on it,s treck to Australia and woundering what they would be worth they must of been made in 1925 thank you

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M. Hallett, e-mail, 17.08.2007 14:28

Definitely my favorite aircraft. Saw the Mk 1 hull in the RAF museum at Hendon and have wanted one ever since. Pity they stopped building aircraft like this.

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