Supermarine Seagull III

The Supermarine Seagull Mk III was originally introduced into the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy in 1923, and served as a deck-landing amphibian fleet spotter aboard the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle.

In 1925 the RAAF ordered six Seagull IIIs to replace the ageing Fairey IIID seaplanes. The Seagulls arrived in 1926 and, in June, No 101 Fleet Co-operation Flight was formed at Point Cook. In August, the flight moved to Richmond, which was to be the unit's permanent shore base.

Throughout 1926 and 1927, the Seagulls worked with HMAS Moresby and joined the photographic survey of the Great Barrier Reef. In January 1927, an additional three ex-FAA Seagulls were purchased, and survey flying was extended north to New Guinea.

In January 1929, the Australian-built seaplane carrier, HMAS Albatross joined the fleet, and on 25 February, six Seagulls were hoisted aboard at Geelong. These aircraft were used for reconnaissance, spotting and shadowing during naval exercises. The Mk IIIs were not strengthened for catapulting and were hoisted in and out by three cranes on the deck of the Albatross.

When the Albatross was laid up in 1932, the remaining Seagulls were transferred to the cruisers HMAS Canberra and Australia, and were eventually superseded by the Seagull V in 1935.

TECHNICAL DATA: Supermarine Seagull III

DESCRIPTION:

Three-seat amphibian for survey and spotter-reconnaissance duties. Wooden structure with fabric-covered wings and wooden hull.

POWER PLANT:

One 450 hp Napier Lion V.

DIMENSIONS:

Span 14.02 m (46ft); Length 11.28 m (37ft); Height 3.66 m (12ft).

WEIGHTS:

Empty 1768 kg; loaded 2571 kg.

ARMAMENT:

One Lewis machine-gun mounted amidships, aft of the wings.

PERFORMANCE:

Max speed 174 km/h (94 kt) at sea level; Climb 11 mins to 5000ft; Service ceiling 9150 ft (2789 m); Endurance 4.5 hours. Back to top

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