Operational History
Registered G-EBLP, the S.4 first flew on 24 August 1925. On 13 September 1925 on Southampton Water, it raised the world's seaplane speed record (and the British speed record) to 226.752 mph (365.071 km/h).
With high hopes of a British victory, the S.4, together with two Gloster III biplanes, was shipped to the United States of America for the 1925 race. During trials at Bay Shore Park, Baltimore on 23 October 1925, piloted by H. C. Biard, it was seen to sideslip into the water from 200 ft (61 m) and was wrecked. Biard, who survived with two broken ribs, stated that he lost control following violent wing vibration. The race was won two days later by Lieutenant James Doolittle, flying a Curtiss R3C at an average speed of 232.573 mph (374.443 km/h), faster than the S.4's world record of a month before.
Most sources have suggested the accident was due to flutter.
Read more about this topic: Supermarine S.4
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