Seversky Sev-3M

Originally powered by an air-cooled Wright R-975 producing 420 hp, on October 9, 1933 Alexander de Seversky flew this aircraft at 180 mph (290 kmh) at New York's Roosevelt Field, thus setting a new speed record for amphibians. During 1935 the aircraft was fitted with a more powerful Wright SR-1820 Cyclone engine of 710 hp, was re-designated SEV-3M. On September 15, 1935 Seversky flew it in that form at 230 mph (370 kmh), setting yet another world speed record for amphibians.

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Otto Heinkel? His name was Ernst and the Heinkel variation of the elliptical wing concept was the work of the Günter brothers. While appearing similar in planform, the Günter, Kartveli and Mitchell wings were all completely
different. None of the afor named designers invented the concept, it had
been known theoretically for many years before and was first used in the mid 1920s.

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As mentioned elsewhere on this site the man who pioneered, but did not necessarily conceive the concept of, the elliptical wing was Otto Heinkel with the He70. Alexander Kartvelli and R J Mitchell both progressed the idea, after all the old adage says "great minds think alike".

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I recall some years ago reading that this aircraft set the world's speed record for an amphibian aircraft, though i cannot recall the date the record was set or what the speed was. It didn't sell, but it did manage to get Seversky noticed.

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Have early 40s Wings cigarettes card depicting this plane.Recall reading that Seversky tried to interest the U. S. Navy in it, but despite its high performance and all-metal construction, they concluded they had no need of an amphibian with a top speed of over 275 mph.

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According to Aero files www.aerofiles.com /_sev.html this design first flew ? June, 1933. Take notice of the wing shape.

The fabled Spitfire design flew for the first time,
5 March 1936 almost three years later. Many seem to believe the Spitfire introduced the elliptical wing.


TJD

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