Blackburn B-20

E934241

The Blackburn B-20 was an experimental British World War II-era prototype flying boat notable for its retractable hull design intended to improve aerodynamic efficiency.

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Observed surface forms (1)

Surface form Occurrences
Blackburn B-20 (prototype) 1

Statements (45)

Predicate Object
instanceOf British military aircraft
experimental flying boat
prototype aircraft
aircraftCategory experimental military aircraft
seaplane
aircraftType flying boat
airframeFeature boat hull for water operations
retractable lower hull section
configuration high-wing monoplane
countryOfOrigin United Kingdom
crashYear 1940
crewAtCrash 3
crewType test crew
designedBy Blackburn design team
designGoal improved aerodynamic efficiency
designInnovation retractable planing bottom
variable-depth hull
developmentContext pre-war and early World War II British flying boat research
engineConfiguration twin-engine
era World War II
surface form: World War II era
fate crashed during test flight
firstFlightDate 1940-03-27
firstFlightYear 1940
hasNo surviving complete airframes
intendedUse maritime patrol evaluation
landingMedium water
legacy demonstrated feasibility issues of retractable hull flying boats
manufacturer Blackburn Aircraft NERFINISHED
notableFeature retractable hull design
numberBuilt 1
operator Royal Air Force
powerplantType piston engine
reasonForLimitedProduction changing wartime priorities
prototype lost in crash
registration V8914 NERFINISHED
role experimental flying boat
status prototype only
survivorsOfCrash 1
tailConfiguration conventional tail unit
testLocation Helensburgh, Scotland NERFINISHED
Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment NERFINISHED
timePeriod 1940s
usedFor aerodynamic research
evaluation of retractable hull concept
wingType cantilever wing

Referenced by (2)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Blackburn Aircraft producedAircraft Blackburn B-20
Rolls‑Royce Vulture engine usedInAircraft Blackburn B-20
subject surface form: Rolls-Royce Vulture
this entity surface form: Blackburn B-20 (prototype)