Dave of Deltic, e-mail, 12.04.2021 15:22 This aeroplane was designed specifically for Schneider Trophy racing, and only sea-planes (or'float-planes') were allowed to enter the competition. The derivative S6 model used the same construction for the competition in 1929 and 1931, winning the trophy 'in perpetuity' for the U.K. and therefore bringing the competition to an end. Reginald Mitchell went on to use his knowledge of the the S5 and S6 construction in designing a successor "without the drag of the floats", namely the 'Spitfire'.

william S Smrtic, e-mail, 30.04.2020 00:37 I think the lower photo of the S5 is the flying replica built for a theme park. It has a horizontally opposed air cooled engine. Believe it crashed, killing the pilot.

Stephen Round, e-mail, 17.10.2013 05:13 A very interesting light powerful and reliable motor the Napier Lion engine first produced in 1918 with 450 hp and continued in production and further development to beyond 1945 used in fast torpedo boats. Some flying versions produced 1300 hp this engine produced more power than the Merlin in 1939. Rolls Royce offered the designer of the Lion an offer he couldn't refuse and off he went to Rolls Royce.

Bill, e-mail, 20.04.2013 21:47 What could this beauty have done, without the drag of those floats!

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