SEPTEMBER 23, 1920

SUPERMARINE AMPHIBIAN
36O ROLLS ROYCE

SPAN (TOP PLANE) 5O' HEIGHT . 14 '

AREA LENGTH
O 2 46

6OO SQ.FT 33 '

B FEET

was no time in the present machine will be incorporated in type," the wings are not made to fold, as this would have complicated the fitting of the land undercarriage. A novel subsequent ones. The boat hull is similar in shape to previous types, that is feature on this machine is the cambering gear, which is similar to say the main hull structure is a shell of circular section, in principle to, although differing in detail from, that of the built up of two skins of mahogany, the inner of which is laid Fairey float seaplane. diagonally, the outer longitudinally, covered with fabric. There is accommodation for two passengers in addition to the By way of strengthening the aft portion of the hull against the pilot, who occupies the aft cockpit just in front of the leading severe shocks caused by alighting on land, this part has fabric edge of the planes. The passengers are seated tandem strips wound around it circumferentially, pulled as tight as fashion in front, and a hinged " conservatory " roof with possible by hand and then doped, so that the pressure exerted windows is placed over their cockpit so as to protect them " bv the fabric strips on the shell is enormous and strengthens against wind and spray. The bolt which locks this hinged this portion of the hull very materially. roof extends aft to the pilot's cockpit, but should it be necesThere are two steps, formed by a separate structure, of sary in an accident for the passengers to get out quickly, it which' the forward one is placed approximately under the will be an easy matter to knock a hole in the flimsily-builtjroof centre of gravity and the aft one about half-way towards the and thus get at the fastenings. The pilot's " office" is very well equipped, not forgetting stern. The planing surfaces appear to be considerably larger than those of the " Channel type," and the nose of the hull is a very efficient bilge pump connected to the different watermore pointed, resembling that of the little " Sea King " tight compartments into which the hull is divided. Recently exhibited at Olympia rather than the nose of the " Channel an onlooker at Martlesham made the acquaintance of the type." In the engine installation also one notices a departure aforesaid bilge pump by a stream of bilge water squirted "on from the previous model, in that the engine is a 360 h.p. him. When he wishes to make remarks about the machine Rolls-Royce " Eagle." I t is mounted high in the gap to give this gentleman now does so from a safe distance, or else from clearance for the pusher airscrew, and supported on a very the starboard side. The cockpit of the Supermarine bears substantial structure of steel tubes. Unlike the "Channel the obvious traces of having been designed by practical boat

TESTING THE SUPERMARINE AMPHIBIAN AT MARTLESHAM : Starting off and, inset, coming in
1017 . '^p'r-: