Supermarine Sea Eagle

The Supermarine Sea Eagle was a British single‑engine flying boat developed in the early 1930s by the renowned aircraft manufacturer Supermarine, best known for the later Spitfire. Conceived as a commercial passenger seaplane, the Sea Eagle first flew on 21 May 1931 and entered limited service with Imperial Airways and other European operators. Its high‑mounted gull‑wing configuration, a hallmark of Supermarine designs, housed a 550‑hp Rolls‑Royce Kestrel V12 engine mounted on the forward wing pylon, driving a three‑bladed propeller. The all‑metal hull featured a stepped underside for improved water take‑off, and the spacious cabin could accommodate up to ten passengers in relative comfort for the era.

Although only a handful of examples were built, the Sea Eagle demonstrated Supermarine’s mastery of aerodynamics and hydrodynamics, influencing later amphibious projects such as the Supermarine Scapa and the wartime Supermarine Walrus. Its sleek silhouette and reliable performance helped establish the feasibility of regular passenger services over water routes, paving the way for the expansion of international air travel in the interwar period. The Sea Eagle remains a noteworthy milestone in the evolution of British flying‑boat design.