Girish Mahajan (Editor)

Supermarine Sparrow

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Top speed
  
116 km/h

Length
  
6.91 m

Manufacturer
  
Supermarine

Wingspan
  
10 m

First flight
  
September 11, 1924

Designer
  
R. J. Mitchell

Supermarine Sparrow httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommons88

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

Contents

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 controls. The Sparrow I (registered G-EBJP) first flew on 11 September 1924. The Thrush, a three-cylinder radial engine proved to be extremely unreliable 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).

The aircraft was rebuilt for the 1926 Lympne Trials as a parasol monoplane (and redesignated 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. After use for testing wing sections, the aircraft was sold to the Halton Aero Club, remaining in existence until 1933.

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

General characteristics

  • Crew: two
  • Length: 22 ft 8 in (6.91 m)
  • Wingspan: 33 ft 4 in (10.16 m)
  • Height: 7 ft 5 in (2.26 m)
  • Wing area: 256 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 mph (116 km/h)
  • Service ceiling: 11,000 ft (3,350 m)
  • References

    Supermarine Sparrow Wikipedia


    Similar Topics