Re: Photos Japanese Naval Aircraft
 

Hi Stig,


With regard to the numbers definitely 6 immediately inboard of the hinomaru,it could well be preceeded by 9,but 3 was my first thought.That is only a guess though.


I do hope you're able to find more information on these aircraft,without being too optimistic.If anything has been published on Japanese Supermarine flying boats since the Supermarine book I'm personally unaware of it.


Regards,


Clint

Re: Photos Japanese Naval Aircraft
 

Hi Clint

No such luck. Spent over an hour trying to find something useful.
All I get is the same details, even if one source claims two Seals were delivered, but I think the general accepted view is
3 Channel Mk II
1 Seal
1 Seagull Mk I

Regardless if the digits are '36' or '96' I cannot explain them.
They cannot be civil and why the Japanese Navy only should put underwing markings
on them is a complete puzzle as well.
Perhaps the Japanese text can give us a clue?
Come to think of, probably not....

Cheers
Stig

Re: Photos Japanese Naval Aircraft
 

Hi Stig.
Probably part of the ex-FAA serial somewhere between N9603--9607 or N9642--9654.
My thought anyway....
Regards
Nick

Re: Photos Japanese Naval Aircraft
 

I had that in mind as well.
Trouble is Nick none of them fits the time frame of 1922, ie when the British mission went to Japan.
Also why would the FAA sell back an aircraft to Supermarine who in turn would onforward it to Japan?
Neither can I believe the FAA would have had any direct sales involving Japan.
Sorry, still a puzzle to me.
Cheers
Stig

Re: Photos Japanese Naval Aircraft
 

Were the engines and out-rigger floats interchangeable between the Channel and the Seagull Mk1?
I have a photo in the 1974 edition of "Japanese Military Aviation" (by Eiichiro Sekigawa) which has a flying boat with a rear facing propeller and a deep pattern out-rigger float. It has the light colour paintwork of the aircraft in this photo foreground (which appears to have a spinning tractor propeller).


...geoff

Re: Photos Japanese Naval Aircraft
 

Don't know that Geoff

But since the Channels had pusher props and the Seagull (and Seal?) didn't,
I don't believe you just switched from one to the other just like that.

So if the photo shows a Supermarine with a pusher, it is in my mind a Channel.

Cheers
Stig

Re: Photos Japanese Naval Aircraft
 

Stig. Sekigawa says Sept. 1921 for the Mission's arrival at Kasumigaura ( the base was blessed in a Shinto ceremory in July). Called the "Central Training Station".

I have a suspition that the boat in the background is the single Vickers Viking they sent ( the Channel had a rounded nose and tall narrow upright radiator). The 2 Viking serials were N156/157. They had distinctive vertical tails which showed above the tailplanes, also varnished hulls. The Seal and Viking were for experimental purposes. I THINK the Channels were unpainted.
Nick

Re: Photos Japanese Naval Aircraft
 

Hello Nick,


I can confirm that you are correct the other aircraft is a Vickers Viking IV, a case of mistaken identity on my part as confirmed by another photo of the same two aircraft,but with a caption:


https://www.hampshireairfields.co.uk/ah1900/suprod.html


Regards,


Clint

Re: Photos Japanese Naval Aircraft
 

Thanks Nick/Clint

These early look-a-like 'boats are not my expertise, so I gladly stand corrected.
However it does not bring us any closer as to the digits located under the Seagull....

Cheers
Stig

Re: Photos Japanese Naval Aircraft
 

If the caption is correct this is the Seagull ( the personnel are certainly Japanese Navy); no serial is visible but may have been removed from the wings after delivery as the Navy put their designators on tail or mid-fuselage.
It seems to be a magazine article. I've also included (more for my future reference) an interesting contemporary series on these boats.
The Seagull for Japan is thought to be a Mk.II (Napier Lion) but their serials were N9562--9566. But several were convertions or modifications so as you say confusing.
Regards
Nick



http://aviadejavu.ru/Images6/FT/FT1922/11/655-1.jpg


https://www.aviationancestry.co.uk/?...=ASC&pageNum=3