Golden Age of Seaplanes Gallery

Hong Kong in three days. At dawn today, Saturday, one of the BOACs latest Hythe

Hong Kong in three days.
At dawn today, Saturday, one of the BOAC's latest Hythe flying boats took off from Poole Harbour (Dorset) for Hong Kong. 16 passengers are inaugurating the first direct air route between Britain and Hong Kong, to be known as the Dragon'service. The 8352 miles will take just over three days, with stops at Marseilles, Augusta, Rangoon and Bangkok. For the moment, the Dragon'services once weekly, but it is intended to increase it to a twice-weekly run, and to extend flights to Shanghai and Tokyo.
Photo shows, first of the Dragon service, the BOAC flying boats Hazlemere taxis out to take off from Poole Harbour for Hong Kong at dawn today, Saturday.
24 August 1946

© TopFoto.co.uk

Vickers Supermarine Walrus Amphibian Flying Boat with a Bristol Pegasus engine

Vickers Supermarine Walrus Amphibian Flying Boat with a Bristol Pegasus engine .
Walrus is a single engined ( pusher ) biplane amphibian flying boat constructed almost entirely of metal, stainless and duralumin, the hull is flush riveted and the fabric covered superstructure has spars of stainless steel .
It is designed for service with naval cruisers and aircraft carriers for reconnaissance, fleet spotting, photographic and training purposes .
A retractable undercarriage, hydraulically operated, provides for landing on an aerodrome or on the sea . In the raised position the wheels are housed in recesses in the bottom main planes .
Walrus will be carried by vessels equipped with catapult launching gear . It was the first military aircraft with a retractable undercarriage to be adopted by the Royal Air Force and the first amphibian aircraft to be catapulted with full military load . Slinging gear is provided for hoisting on board on the conclusion of a flight .
The pilot and observor have a clear field of view, unrestricted by floats or wings from the forward enclosed cockpit .
For stowage purposes the wings can be easily and quickly folded .
A production order for the Fleet Air Arm for the Royal Navy has been received . The same type known as Seagull V, has been supplied to the Royal Australian Air Force .
18 June 1936

© TopFoto.co.uk

Plane passenger seats become lifebelts in 10 seconds. New safety device for flying-boats

Plane passenger seats become lifebelts in 10 seconds. New safety device for flying-boats.
In preparation for the regular Atlantic service and also for the new Empire flying boats a new pattern "safety-seat" which can be converted to a lifebelt in under 10 seconds has been designed and incorporated in the passenger's seat cushions on the Imperial Airways flying-boats. Although weighing only 5 pounds, the two cushions - seat and back - can support a weight of 20 stones in water they have been specially manufactured, after 18 months research, on the secret "float on air" principle.
Photo shows: Donning the "safety-seat" lifebelt and smoking a cigar at the same time during a test in the water at Southampton.
9 June 1937

© TopFoto.co.uk