THE WAR
Declaration of war by Britain was given on 3 September 1939 after German forces invaded Poland. Control of the skies was extremely important but with it, came loses. British aircrews suffered a high casualty rate: of a total of 125,000 aircrew, 57,205 were killed, a further 8,403 were wounded in action and 9,838 became prisoners of war.
As part of the war effort Britain and America produced 7,257 seaplanes. They played a vital role not only in combat but in keeping the British Empire connected.
As part of the war effort Britain and America produced 7,257 seaplanes. They played a vital role not only in combat but in keeping the British Empire connected.
THE SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE
The Supermarine Spitfire played a crucial role in defending Britain in WW2 and probably the most famous aircraft ever built. Developed in 1936, the aircraft design was based on the knowledge gained from the development and manufacturing of seaplanes.
The Spitfire was a product of the Supermarine Company, a British firm that started out building flying boats before World War I. In 1916, the firm was joined by a young engineer named RJ Mitchell, who would eventually design the Spitfire. After World War I, Supermarine was heavily involved in designing and building flying boats for competition. Mitchell, however, envisioned smaller, sleeker designs that would be capable of much higher speeds than were possible with the ungainly flying boats.
The Spitfire was a product of the Supermarine Company, a British firm that started out building flying boats before World War I. In 1916, the firm was joined by a young engineer named RJ Mitchell, who would eventually design the Spitfire. After World War I, Supermarine was heavily involved in designing and building flying boats for competition. Mitchell, however, envisioned smaller, sleeker designs that would be capable of much higher speeds than were possible with the ungainly flying boats.
After the 1923 Schneider Trophy Race, Mitchell decided to design a high-performance seaplane for the 1925 event. Unfortunately, the first Mitchell design crashed during the race, which was won by Lieutenant James H. Doolittle of the U.S. Army. Ironically, 17 years later Doolittle would have command of several Spitfire squadrons operating in North Africa. Supermarine’s S.5 finally took the Schneider Trophy in 1927, establishing the company’s reputation as a builder of fast airplanes and Mitchell’s as their designer.
The concept of a Spitfire floatplane was formulated after Norway was invaded by Germany in April 1940. The idea was that the aircraft would operate from fjords in Norway. Spitfire Mk I (R6722) was the aircraft chosen for conversion and fitted with floats which were used on the Blackburn Roc and a ventral fin added. With the surrender of Norway and trials of the new aircraft proving disappointing the concept was not taken any further and R6722 was restored back to its original land plane configuration.
With the British Government's declaration of war against Japan on the 8th December 1941 early 1942 saw the idea of a Spitfire floatplane re-considered. This time Folland Aircraft were tasked with the job and would convert Spitfire Mk VB (W3760). Fitted with a 1,100-hp Rolls-Royce Merlin 45 and a four blade propeller instead of the land based Mk VBs three bladed propeller. This gave the aircraft a top speed of 324 mph, a range of 326 miles and a service ceiling of 33,400 ft. Armament was the same as a standard land based Mk VB, two 20mm cannons and four 0.303-in machine-guns.
The design of the Mk VB floatplane was similar to the earlier converted Mk I but it also had a parachute fitted to help recover from a spin. The big change on this prototype was instead of fitting floats from another aircraft Arthur Shirvall designed custom floats, 25ft by 7in, for the aircraft. It had been Arthur who had designed the floats for Supermarine's Schneider Trophy entries.
The prototype made its first flight on the 12th October 1942 with Jeffrey Quill at the controls. After further trials the decision was taken to convert a further two Spitfire Mk VBs (EP751) and (EP794). Folland Aircraft were again tasked with the job. With three Mk VBs converted to floatplanes the plan was for the aircraft to be based around the Dodecanese which consisted of 15 large and 150 small Greek islands in the South West Aegean Sea and intercept German transports flying over the Eastern Mediterranean. This would see the aircraft shipped to Egypt during October 1943. The following month though saw the British held Kos and Leros Islands, part of the Dodecanese islands, captured by the Germans and the three aircraft stayed in Egypt. Two of the three Spitfire floatplanes were struck off charge with (W3760) on the 28th January 1944 and (EP751) on the 28th December 1944 with the fate of the third aircraft unknown.
Folland Aircraft would also convert the last of five Spitfires to be used as a floatplane. This time it was Mk IX (MJ892) which was to be used in the Pacific theatre of war. Powered by a 1,720-hp Rolls-Royce Merlin it would become the fastest floatplane of World War 2 with its top speed of 377 mph. Its range was 460 miles and service ceiling was 38,000 ft. The armament for the Mk IX would be the same as the Mk VB version, two 20mm cannons and four 0.303-in machine-guns. The 18th June 1944 saw this version make its maiden flight.
Like the previous Spitfire floatplane projects this would never enter service and the idea was finally shelved with (MJ892) struck off charge on the 22nd November 1945.
Short Sunderland
One of the most famous seaplanes was the Short Sunderland. It was the premiere flying boat of British military aviators. Oft-regarded as one of the best flying boats of the conflict, the Sunderland played up to some inherent design strengths including a potent defensive armament scheme and excellent operational range. Both of these qualities played a large part in countering the lethal presence of marauding German U-boat attack submarines through infested waters in and around Allied interests. It was through these head-on engagements with the enemy that the Sunderland series would become famous for.
Designed from the airliner transport Short C-class "Empire" model, the Short Sunderland became the militarized version of the same flying boat. Fitted with four engines the aircraft became an integral part of Search and Rescue (SAR) missions, maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare throughout the course of the war. Crew accommodations amounted to 10 personnel including pilots and machine gunners as well as systems and missions specialists as needed.
Designed from the airliner transport Short C-class "Empire" model, the Short Sunderland became the militarized version of the same flying boat. Fitted with four engines the aircraft became an integral part of Search and Rescue (SAR) missions, maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare throughout the course of the war. Crew accommodations amounted to 10 personnel including pilots and machine gunners as well as systems and missions specialists as needed.
The Catalina
Arguably, an even greater flying boat was the American Consolidated Catalina, several hundred of which served around the world with the wartime Royal Air Force. RAF Catalinas were involved in the search for the German battleship Bismarck, the prevention of the invasion of Ceylon by Japanese forces, many successful U-boat attacks and the routine but dangerous escorting of Atlantic convoys bringing supplies from the USA. More Catalinas were produced than any other flying boat by a very considerable margin and they were used by all of the wartime Allied countries.
With the fall of Singapore in February 1942, the air route between Australia and Britain was severed, preventing the rapid movement of VIP passengers and government mail between the two countries. In early 1943 the British and Australian governments agreed that British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) would conduct an air service between Britain and Karachi, while the Australian airline Qantas would pioneer a new route from Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) to Australia using Catalina flying boats. These latter flights, which became famous as ‘Double Sunrise’ flights because crew and passengers often saw two sunrises during the 30-hour plus spent in the air, were the longest commercial air service in the world at the time and still retains that record.
It’s fair to say Seaplanes had a huge influence on the outcome of the war. Their importance in Aviation history and the progress air travel has made since, should never be underestimated. We should never forget the importance those seaplanes played and the aircrews that suffered and perished. These Aircrew gave us all the freedoms that we have today and which we should never take for granted.
With the fall of Singapore in February 1942, the air route between Australia and Britain was severed, preventing the rapid movement of VIP passengers and government mail between the two countries. In early 1943 the British and Australian governments agreed that British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) would conduct an air service between Britain and Karachi, while the Australian airline Qantas would pioneer a new route from Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) to Australia using Catalina flying boats. These latter flights, which became famous as ‘Double Sunrise’ flights because crew and passengers often saw two sunrises during the 30-hour plus spent in the air, were the longest commercial air service in the world at the time and still retains that record.
It’s fair to say Seaplanes had a huge influence on the outcome of the war. Their importance in Aviation history and the progress air travel has made since, should never be underestimated. We should never forget the importance those seaplanes played and the aircrews that suffered and perished. These Aircrew gave us all the freedoms that we have today and which we should never take for granted.
Consolidated PBY Catalina Mk.I of Nº. 202 Squadron RAF based at Gibraltar, in flight approaching Europa Point on returning from an anti-submarine patrol. ca.1943 (Below)
While serving with the Squadron, Z2147 was credited with nine successful attacks on enemy submarines.
The squadron played a part in the sinking of one U-boat during 1942, helping the Royal Navy sink U-74 in the Western Mediterranean on 2 May. The squadron's second and final U-boat sinking came on 13 February 1943 when U-620 was sunk to the north west of Lisbon by an aircraft providing a convoy escort.
202 squadron was heavily involved in Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of North Africa in November 1942. After a long period of operating almost alone it began part of a strong force based at Gibraltar. It also played a part in the clandestine operations before the invasion, picking up General Mark Clark on 24 October on his way back from a secret visit to North Africa.
While serving with the Squadron, Z2147 was credited with nine successful attacks on enemy submarines.
The squadron played a part in the sinking of one U-boat during 1942, helping the Royal Navy sink U-74 in the Western Mediterranean on 2 May. The squadron's second and final U-boat sinking came on 13 February 1943 when U-620 was sunk to the north west of Lisbon by an aircraft providing a convoy escort.
202 squadron was heavily involved in Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of North Africa in November 1942. After a long period of operating almost alone it began part of a strong force based at Gibraltar. It also played a part in the clandestine operations before the invasion, picking up General Mark Clark on 24 October on his way back from a secret visit to North Africa.