The founder of the company, named “Supermarine Aviation Works” since 1916, was Noel Pemberton-Billing. One of the first aircraft built by this firm in significant numbers was the AD. Boat flying boat.
Developed by the Air Department (A. D.) of the British Admiralty in 1915, this flying boat was intended for patrol and aerial reconnaissance. A total of 29 aircraft were built, including two prototypes equipped with various engines. Most of them were immediately placed in storage upon completion of construction.
Civilian Conversion of the AD. Boat
In 1919, “Supermarine” purchased 19 of these machines from the Admiralty for conversion into a civilian variant. They were equipped with 160-horsepower (119 kW) Beardmore engines, receiving the designation Supermarine Channel I. The aircraft, designed to carry three passengers in open cockpits, was initially used for pleasure flights, local airlines, and briefly for cross-Channel services.
Global Operations and Export Success
These and other converted machines were intensively operated in the United Kingdom and beyond. Aircraft were exported to Bermuda (five), Japan (three), New Zealand (one), Norway (nine), and Sweden (one). Some of them were equipped with 240-horsepower (179 kW) Siddeley Puma engines, receiving the designation Channel II.
Technical Specifications
| Modification | Channel I |
| Wingspan, m | 15. 38 |
| Aircraft length, m | 9.15 |
| Aircraft height, m | 3. 96 |
| Wing area, m2 | 44. 50 |
| Empty weight | 1140 |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 1600 |
| Engine type | 1 Piston engine Beardmore |
| Power, hp | 1 x 160 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 1 40 |
| Cruising speed, km/h | 115 |
| Practical range, km | 625 |
| Practical ceiling, m | 2000 |
| Crew, crew members | 1 |
| Payload: | 2 passengers |
Image and diagram gallery of the Supermarine Channel
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