The Severn’s precursor, the Saunders A.14 “Metal Hull’ N251 at Felixstowe Note the tandem cockpits and Supermarine Southampton flying surfaces.
Rebuilt from a standard Southampton, N251 featured a weight-saving Saunders-Roe A.14 experimental hull. It became the model hull design for the Saunders-Roe London.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Southampton / Solent - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1925

The Severn on the point of touchdown on the Solent in the summer of 1930.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Saunders-Roe Severn / A.7 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1930

The A.7 seconds before alighting at Cowes, with its two hull steps in evidence.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Saunders-Roe Severn / A.7 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1930

The A.7 during its evaluation at the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment, Felixstowe, in July 1931. By this time deeper windows had been fitted in the hull and the exhaust system had been modified.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Saunders-Roe Severn / A.7 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1930

The MAEE tests showed that the Severn had good stability on the water and that taxying was clean, even in choppy seas.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Saunders-Roe Severn / A.7 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1930

N240 under maintenance or modification in the manufacturer’s East Cowes shed at an early stage in its development. It has the early unbalanced elevators and is fitted with underwing bomb racks. Note that its serial number is painted on the underside of the upper mainplane.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Saunders-Roe Severn / A.7 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1930

The Severn taxying at speed during early trials, before horn-balances had been added to the elevators.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Saunders-Roe Severn / A.7 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1930

Another taxying shot of N240 shows the later horn-balanced elevators and the servo-rudders on outriggers.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Saunders-Roe Severn / A.7 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1930

N240 on Lake Timsah in the Canal Zone early in September 1931, during its Middle East cruise. An awning protects the cockpit from the sun, and tackle has been rigged over the port engine, apparently for its removal.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Saunders-Roe Severn / A.7 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1930

N240 taxying under the power of its three Bristol Jupiter engines.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Saunders-Roe Severn / A.7 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1930