The Saunders A.4 Medina was a British flying boat built by S.E. Saunders at East Cowes, Isle of Wight.

A.4 Medina
Role Ten-passenger flying boat
National origin United Kingdom
Manufacturer S. E. Saunders Limited
First flight November 1926
Retired Scrapped 1929
Status Withdrawn from use
Number built 1

Development

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The Medina was built for the Air Council between 1925 and 1926 and was a plywood-covered wooden flying boat powered by two 450 hp Bristol Jupiter VI radial engines mounted onto and slung from the top wings.[1] The upper wing was slightly smaller than the lower wing, braced with Warren truss-type interplane struts.[2] It had a crew of two and room for ten passengers.[1] Only one Medina was built, registered G-EBMG, first flying in November 1926. It proved disappointing, having poor water handling, with its hull being prone to leaks.[3] It was withdrawn from use and scrapped in 1929.[1]

Specifications

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Saunders A.4 Medina 3-view drawing from Le Document aéronautique January,1927

Data from [1][4][5]

General characteristics

  • Crew: two
  • Capacity: ten passengers
  • Length: 49 ft 0 in (14.94 m)
  • Wingspan: 58 ft 0 in (17.68 m)
  • Height: 16 ft 0 in (4.88 m)
  • Wing area: 1,007 sq ft (93.6 m2)
  • Empty weight: 8,060 lb (3,656 kg)
  • Gross weight: 11,560 lb (5,244 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Bristol Jupiter VI , 450 hp (336 kW) each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 115 mph (184 km/h, 100 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 90 mph (145 km/h, 78 kn)
  • Range: 360 mi (580 km, 310 nmi)
  • Endurance: 4 hours

See also

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Related lists

Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d Jackson 1974, page 290
  2. ^ London 2003, p.97.
  3. ^ London 2003, p.98.
  4. ^ Flight 5 July 1928
  5. ^ London 2003, pp.262–263.

References

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  • Jackson, A.J. (1974). British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 3. London: Putnam. ISBN 0-370-10014-X.
  • London, Peter (2003). British Flying Boats. Stroud UK: Sutton Publishing. ISBN 0-7509-2695-3.
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