:Supermarine Air Yacht

File:Supermarine Aviation Ltd, Woolston.jpg works at Woolston, Hampshire]]

Supermarine's chief designer R. J. Mitchell was responsible for the design of two air yachts, both of which originated from military commissions. The Supermarine Nanok, an armed version of the Supermarine Southampton built at the company's works at Woolston, was designed for use by the Danish government, but the airplane performed poorly and was rejected by the Danes.{{sfn|Quill|Cox|1986|p=66}} The hull was refitted as a luxury cruiser—the Supermarine Solent—and was sold in 1928 to Ernest Guinness, a member of the Guinness family.{{sfn|Shelton|2015|p=}} In 1930 Guinness, who then possessed the air yacht and three other aircraft, owned more private planes than anyone else in Britain.{{cite news |title=296 Privately Owned Planes in Britain; One Man Has 4 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71058179/296-privately-owned-planes-in-britain/ |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |volume=82 |issue=338 |date=10 August 1930 |location=St. Louis, Missouri |page=2}} The Solent was registered as a civilian aircraft and given the registration G{{ndash}}AAAB.{{sfn|Quill|Cox|1986|p=66}} Guinness made regular trips to and from Southampton Water to Lough Corrib, near his family home.{{sfn|Quill|Cox|1986|p=66}} However, the Solent's hull had a restricted height and passengers were unable to stand up fully once inside.{{sfn|Pegram|2016|p=64}}

Guinness commissioned Mitchell's second luxury craft, the Supermarine Air Yacht, as a replacement for the Solent. The Air Yacht was to be used by Guinness for pleasure cruising around the Mediterranean.{{cite web |title=Supermarine Air Yacht |url=https://www.baesystems.com/en-uk/heritage/supermarine-air-yacht |publisher=BAE Systems |access-date=23 December 2020}}{{sfn|Pegram|2016|p=64}} It was the first British flying yacht built to the order of a private owner, and the first of Supermarine's monoplanes to be multi-engined.{{sfn|Motor Sport Magazine|1930|p=39}} Based on a 1927 design originally made for the requirements of specification R5/27 for a reconnaissance flying boat for the Royal Air Force,{{sfn|Andrews|Morgan|1987|pp=123{{ndash}}124}} it was built at the Supermarine works in 1929.{{sfn|Pegram|2016|p=64}} The price agreed was £34,888 ({{Inflation|UK|34,888|1929|fmt=eq|r=-3}}), but the production costs reached £52,000 ({{Inflation|UK|52,000|1929|fmt=eq|r=-3}}).{{sfn|Motor Sport Magazine|1930|p=39}}

The resulting modified design was a flying boat that weighed {{convert|10.1|LT|t}},{{sfn|Motor Sport Magazine|1930|p=39}} powered with three Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar engines. It included hull-mounted sponsons instead of the wing-mounted floats common on aircraft of this type, which caused it to resemble the German Dornier Do J; a Supermarine employee afterwards wrote of Mitchell that "he had allowed himself to be lured by some of his bright boys into following other people's ideas."{{sfn|Shelton|2015|p=}} Instead of a wooden biplane, Mitchell designed a monoplane made of metal,{{sfn|Shelton|2015|p=}} with the wing held high above the fuselage on struts and stabilised laterally.{{cite magazine |magazine=Flight |date=28 February 1930 |pages=250{{ndash}}252 |url=https://archive.org/details/Flight_International_Magazine_1930-02-28-pdf/page/n7/mode/2up |title=An Air Yacht De Luxe |issn=0015-3710}} The rectangular flat-sided parasol wing had a span of {{convert|92|ft|m}}{{sfn|Motor Sport Magazine|1930|p=39}} and sloping V struts for support, and was strengthened with horizontal corrugations.{{sfn|Shelton|2015|p=}} The three radial engines were mounted on the leading edge of the wing. The single braced tailplane had three vertical fins and rudders.{{sfn|Andrews|Morgan|1987|p=124}} The aircraft's surfaces were covered with fabric.{{sfn|Shelton|2015|p=}}

When loaded with a full tanks of petrol, {{convert|600|lb|kg}} of baggage, and a minimum crew of three, the Air Yacht was designed to cover a distance of {{convert|2000|mi|km}} without re-fuelling.{{sfn|Motor Sport Magazine|1930|p=39}}{{sfn|Pegram|2016|p=109}} It was designed to have a cruising speed of {{convert|100|mph|km/h}}. and a top speed of {{convert|120|-|130|mph|km/h}}.{{sfn|Motor Sport Magazine|1930|p=39}}

The crew were accommodated in open cockpits in the nose. There was an enclosed cabin for the owner, with its own toilet, bath and bed, and a separate cabin and seating for the other five passengers. The galley was located beneath the wing.{{sfn|Andrews|Morgan|1987|p=124}}{{cite magazine |magazine=Flight |date=20 October 1932 |page=990 |title=By Air Yacht to the Mediterranean |url=https://archive.org/details/Flight_International_Magazine_1932-10-20-pdf/page/n15/mode/2up |issn=0015-3710 }} The passenger areas were fitted with deep-pile carpets and luxurious furniture; their cabin was {{convert|35|feet|m}} long, {{convert|6|ft|6|in|m}} high and {{convert|8|feet|m}} wide.{{sfn|Shelton|2015|p=}}

File:Supermarine Air Yacht with replacement engines.jpg

The Air Yacht, which was designated G-AASE, made its first flight in February 1930 at Hythe, Hampshire.{{sfn|Andrews|Morgan|1987|p=125}} During the summer months of 1931 it underwent trials at the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment (MAEE) at Felixstowe.{{sfn|Quill|Cox|1986|p=66}} When tested carrying loads of {{convert|24000|lb|kg}}, the plane handled well, but couldn't keep height when the fuel flow was reduced. Excess drag was created by the sponsons, one of which suffered from structural failure.{{sfn|Pegram|2016|p=110}} The aircraft lost power in one engine and so failed to maintain a high enough altitude needed to be considered safe. Tests also revealed the aircraft was underpowered with a long takeoff run, and poor climb.{{sfn|Pegram|2016|p=110}}

The three engines were replaced with three Armstrong Siddeley Panthers,{{sfn|Andrews|Morgan|1987|p=124}} which increased the flying boat's maximum speed, but which still left it incapable of maintaining height when fully loaded with passengers, stores and fuel.{{sfn|Shelton|2015|p=}} It was certified as being airworthy on 22 December 1931,{{sfn|Quill|Cox|1986|p=66}} but the aircraft was rejected by Guinness for failing to meet his specifications. He later purchased a Saro Cloud.{{sfn|Quill|Cox|1986|p=66}}{{sfn|Andrews|Morgan|1987|p=124}}

Having failed to be purchased, the Air Yacht was put into storage by Supermarine. In October 1932, it was seen by chance and then bought by a local wealthy American, Mrs June Jewett James, who knew little of the practicalities of flying an aircraft.{{sfn|Quill|Cox|1986|p=66}}{{sfn|Pegram|2016|p=110}} James publicised her intention to use the flying boat to establish a regular trans-Atlantic service for passengers and cargo, once trials had been completed.{{cite news |title=Woman Pilot Plans Atlantic Air Line If Test Succeeds |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71057111/woman-pilot-plans-atlantic-air-line-if/ |url-access= |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |volume=207 |issue=110 |date=18 October 1932 |location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |page=1}}

File:Air Yacht crash 1933.png

A month after having been bought by James, the flying boat, now named Windward III, left Woolston on a flight to Egypt. It took off on 11 October 1932, with June James, her daughter, a governess, and two crew members on board. During the flight deteriorating weather conditions forced it to land off the coast near Cherbourg.{{sfn|Jackson|1988|p=317}} On October 14, whilst in Cherbourg harbour, the crew and passengers had to call to be rescued and were landed onshore by tugboats, where they remained to await better flying conditions. The plane then flew on to Naples, where James obtained audiences with Pope Pius XI and the Italian dictator, Benito Mussolini.{{sfn|Shelton|2015|p=}}

The flight to Egypt resumed on 25 January 1933, but an engine failed on take-off and later stalled, causing to the flying boat to ditch into the Gulf of Naples {{convert|7|mi|km}} off Sorrento.{{sfn|Pegram|2016|p=110}} The crew and passengers were rescued by local fishermen, who later recovered the aircraft from the water.{{cite news |title=Rescuers File Action for Recovering Plane |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71058672/rescuers-file-action-for-recovering/ |url-access= |work=Binghamton Press |volume=54 |issue=298 |date=30 March 1933 |location=Binghamton, New York |page=1}} The most serious casualty was James, who suffered two broken ribs and a broken leg.{{sfn|Shelton|2015|p=}} The crash caused the aircraft's wing to break. The authorities in Capri impounded the plane against a salvage claim. Too damaged to be repaired, it never flew again, and was sold for scrap the following year; only the engines were returned to England.{{sfn|Quill|Cox|1986|p=66}}{{sfn|Pegram|2016|p=111}}{{cite news |title=Flying Yacht is Wrecked: No Members of James Party Injured in Crash Off Italy |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71057571/flying-yacht-is-wrecked-no-members-of/ |url-access= |work=The Kansas City Times |volume=96 |issue=22 |date=26 January 1933 |location=Kansas City, Missouri |page=6}} James was declared bankrupt in July 1933.{{cite journal |title=Appointments of Trustee |journal=The London Gazette |date=18 July 1933 |issue=33961 |page=4868 |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33961/page/4868 |location=London |issn=0374-3721}}{{refn|1=In 1940, when living in France, Mrs James offered her home as a refuge for fellow American Eugene Bullard and his daughters when they fled Paris after the Battle of France.{{sfn|Glass|2011|p=56}}|group=note}}

{{Aircraft specs

|ref= Supermarine Aircraft since 1914{{sfn|Andrews|Morgan|1987|p=128}}

|prime units?=imp

|crew=4

|capacity=6 passengers

|length ft=66

|length in=6

|length note=

|span ft=92

|span in=0

|span note=

|height ft=

|height in=

|height note=

|wing area sqft=1472

|wing area note=

|aspect ratio=

|airfoil=

|empty weight lb=16808

|empty weight note=

|gross weight lb=23348

|gross weight note=

|max takeoff weight lb=

|max takeoff weight note=

|fuel capacity=

|more general=

|eng1 number=3

|eng1 name=Armstrong Siddeley Panther IIA

|eng1 type=14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines

|eng1 hp=525

|eng1 note=

|prop blade number=2

|prop name=fixed-pitch propellers

|prop dia ft=

|prop dia in=

|prop dia note=

|max speed mph=102

|max speed note=at {{cvt|2000|ft|0}}

|cruise speed mph=

|cruise speed note=

|stall speed mph=

|stall speed note=

|never exceed speed mph=

|never exceed speed note=

|minimum control speed mph=

|minimum control speed note=

|range miles=

|range note=

|combat range miles=

|combat range note=

|ferry range miles=

|ferry range note=

|endurance=

|ceiling ft=6500

|ceiling note=

|climb rate ftmin=380

|climb rate note=at {{cvt|2000|ft|0}}

|time to altitude=

|lift to drag=

|wing loading lb/sqft=

|wing loading note=

|fuel consumption lb/mi=

|power/mass=

|thrust/weight=

|more performance=

}}

• List of flying boats and floatplanes

{{reflist|group=note}}

{{reflist}}

• {{cite book |last1=Andrews |first1=Charles Ferdinand |last2=Morgan |first2=Eric B. |title=Supermarine Aircraft since 1914 |date=1987 |publisher=Putnam |location=London |isbn=978-0-85177-800-6}}
• {{cite book |last1=Glass |first1=Charles |author1-link=Charles Glass |title=Americans in Paris: life and death under Nazi occupation |date=2011 |publisher=Penguin Books |location=New York |isbn=978-01431-1-866-4 |url=https://archive.org/details/americansinparis0001glas/page/n5/mode/2up |url-access=registration}}
• {{cite book |last1=Jackson |first1=A.J. |title=British Civil Aircraft 1919–1972 |date=1988 |publisher=Putnam |location=London |isbn=978-0-85177-818-1 |volume= 3}}
• {{cite magazine |author=Motor Sport Magazine |title=A 1320 H.P. Air Yacht the Specially-built Supermarine Monoplane |url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/april-1930/39/4863 |magazine=Motor Sport |location=United Kingdom |publisher=Motor Sport Magazine Limited |date=April 1930 |page= |issn=0027-2019 }}
• {{cite book |last1=Pegram |first1=Ralph |title=Beyond the Spitfire: The Unseen Designs of R.J. Mitchell |date=2016 |publisher=The History Press |location=Pegram |isbn=978-0-7509-6515-6}}
• {{cite book |last1=Quill |first1=Jeffrey |last2=Cox |first2=Sebastian |author1-link=Jeffrey Quill |title=Birth of a legend: the Spitfire |date=1986 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution Press |location=Washington, D.C. |isbn=978-08747-4-776-8 |url=https://archive.org/details/birthoflegends00quil/page/n5/mode/2up |url-access=registration }}
• {{cite book |last1=Shelton |first1=John K. |title=From Nighthawk to Spitfire: The Aircraft of R.J. Mitchell |date=2015 |publisher=The History Press |location=Stroud, Gloucestershire |isbn=978-0-7509-6222-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oNDvCQAAQBAJ}}

• {{cite book | author = Shelton, John |title = Schneider Trophy to Spitfire - The Design Career of R.J. Mitchell | location = Sparkford | publisher = Hayes Publishing | year = 2008 | isbn = 978-1-84425-530-6 |ref=none}}

{{commons category|Supermarine Air Yacht}}

• [https://wickantiques.co.uk/product/supermarine-air-yacht-propeller/ Image of a surviving part of the Supermarine Air Yacht] (Wick Antiques Ltd.)
• [https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/HistoricalMaterial/G-AASE.pdf Image of the Air Yacht's civil registration certificate]

{{Supermarine aircraft}}

Category:1930s British civil utility aircraft

Category:Flying boats

Air Yacht

Category:Parasol-wing aircraft

Category:Trimotors

Category:Aircraft first flown in 1930