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The Blackburn Nautilus was a two seat carrier-borne fleet spotter and interceptor produced in 1929, but which only reached the prototype stage.
The Nautilus was designed in response to Air Ministry Specification O.22/26 of 8 June 1926, which called for a carrier-borne fleet spotter with limited interceptor capability, powered by a 510hp Rolls-Royce Falcon X engine. The engine was changed twice – on 2 December 1926 to the 520hp Falcon XI and on 17 October 1927 to the 525hp Rolls-Royce F.XIIMS.
In January 1928 the Air Ministry ordered prototypes of the Blackburn 2F.1 Nautilus, Short Gurnards, Fairey Fleetwing and Hawker Naval Hart. The Air Ministry wanted full scale mockups first, so the aircraft weren’t ready for competitive trials until 1929.
The Blackburn design was for a biplane with a well streamlined fuselage. The gap between the fuselage and the lower wing was filled with the radiator compartment. The fuselage was built in three parts, as was standard for Blackburn aircraft of the period. The central fuselage was built around four steel tube longerons linked by transverse frames, with the forward frame also acting as the engine fireproof bulkhead behind the engine. From the nose to just behind the cockpits the fuselage was covered with duralumin, behind that it was fabric covered.
The two bay biplane wings had an all metal framework with a fabric covering. All four wings had Firse-type ailerons. They could be folded back alongside the fuselage. The wings were staggered and swept back. The top wing was level, the bottom wing had some dihedral.
The undercarriage was designed with carrier operations in mid with a large gap between the main wheels and oleo-pneumatic legs. Two float plane designs were also produced, one with twin floats, one with a single float.
The pilot sat under a cutout at the trailing edge of the upper wing, with the gunner/ observer just behind him. The aircraft was armed with one fixed forward firing .303in Vickers gun and one flexibly mounted .303 Lewis gun in the rear cockpit. The front gun could be replaced by a gun camera for training.
The Nautilus made its maiden flight at Brough in May 1929. As a result of early tests it was given a new elevator with a smaller chord and modified radiators. Trials of the modified aircraft began on 21 August 1929. It then went to Martlesham Heath for the competitive trials.
After the trials the Fairey Fleetwing, Hawker Naval Hart and Blackburn Nautilus formed No.405 Flight of the Fleet Air Arm at Gosport. On 1 January 1930 they flew onto the carrier HMS Furious. The contest was won by the Naval Hart, but this didn’t end the Nautilus’s career. The rear gun was removed and a passenger seat and windscreen fitted in the rear cockpit, allowing the aircraft to be used for ship-to-shore communication duties. It was seen in this role several times during 1931. It was then sent back to Martlesham, where it was used during 1932. It was last recorded in use early in 1933.
Engine: Rolls-Royce F.XIIMS
Power: 525hp
Crew: 2
Span: 37ft 0in
Length: 31ft 8in (landplane), 33ft 2in (seaplane)
Height:10ft 10in
Tare weight: 3,223lb
All-up weight: 4,750lb
Max speed: 154mph at 5,000ft
Climb Rate: 1,260ft/ min
Service ceiling: 18,800ft
Range: 375 miles
Endurance:
Armament:
Bomb load: