Supermarine Sparrow

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Sparrow
300px
Supermarine Sparrow II, marked as number "7" for the 1926 Lympne light aircraft trials
Role Two-seat light aircraft
Manufacturer Supermarine Aviation Works
Designer R.J. Mitchell
First flight 11 September 1924
Retired 1930
Number built 1

The Supermarine Sparrow is a British two-seat light aircraft designed by R.J. Mitchell and built by Supermarine at Woolston.

Development

The Sparrow I was designed and built for the 1924 Lympne light aircraft trials. It was a two-seat biplane powered by a 35 hp (26 kW) Blackburne Thrush piston engine, with dual control. The Sparrow I (registered G-EBJP) first flew on 11 September 1924.[1] The Thrush, a three-cylinder radial engine proved to be extremely unrelaible and the Sparrow was eliminated from the light aircraft trial due to engine failure. In the Grosvenor Trophy Race at Lympne Aerodrome on 14 October 1924, it came fourth with a speed of 62.08 mph (99.91 km/h).[2]

The aircraft was re-built for the 1926 Lympne Trials as a parasol monoplane (and re-designated the Sparrow II) and re-engined with a 32 hp (24 kW) Bristol Cherub III engine. During the trials the Sparrow force-landed near Beachy Head on 12 September 1926, again being eliminated from the competition, which was won by the Hawker Cygnet.[3] After use for testing wing sections, the aircraft was sold to the Halton Aero Club,[4] remaining in existence until 1933.[5]

Variants

Sparrow I
Blackburne Thrush powered biplane
Sparrow II
Sparrow I modified into a monoplane powered by a Bristol Cherub III piston engine.

Specifications (Sparrow I)

Data from British Civil Aircraft since 1919 [5]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 22 ft 8 in (6.91 m)
  • Wingspan: 33 ft 4 in (10.16 m)
  • Height: 7 ft 5 in (2.26[6] m)
  • Wing area: 256 [6] ft2 (23.8 m2)
  • Empty weight: 475 lb (215 kg)
  • Gross weight: 860 lb (390 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Blackburne Thrush piston engine, 35 hp (26 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 72 [6] mph (116 km/h)
  • Service ceiling: 11,000 ft (3,350 m)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References

  1. ↑ Andrews and Morgan 1987, p.310.
  2. ↑ Andrews and Morgan 1987, p.312.
  3. ↑ Andrews and Morgan 1987, p.313.
  4. ↑ Andrews and Morgan 1987, p.314-315
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Jackson 1988, p.316.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Andrews and Morgan 1987, p.315.

Bibliography

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  • Jackson, A.J. British Civil Aircraft since 1919:Volume 3. London. Putnam, 1988, ISBN 0-85177-818-6.
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