The Swan was a twin-Napier Lion civilian flying boat developed alongside a military design intended to replace the RAF's Felixstowe F.5. Its unusual hull and hump-backed profile led into the larger Supermarine Southampton. Although the Southampton was slightly lighter empty, it was heavier at maximum load and could carry three Lewis guns and just under 1,000 pounds of bombs. The progression shows how Supermarine adapted a civil marine-aircraft line into a patrol aircraft while its racing work pursued a separate edge in speed.
Chapter · 7:37-10:18
From the Supermarine Swan to the armed Southampton
Compare the civilian Swan flying boat with the larger Southampton patrol aircraft that evolved from it.