Supermarine S5

Following the loss of the all wooden structured Supermarine S4, designer Reginald Mitchel turned to a semi monocoue duralumin fuselage for the S5. In 1927 two S5 entered the Schneider Trophy race taking first and second place.

3x S5 were built each powered by a Napier lion "W" block engine which, to my mind, was an incredible engine and used for race and record breaking wins in both aircraft, boats and cars. The way this engine was faired into what is quite a small aeroplane with minimal frontal area is nothing short of a work of art. In fact all the S series are winged art deco as far as I'm concerned and lead to the finest and most gorgeous aeroplane of all: Vickers Supermarine Spitfire.

After the 1927 event the Lion power plant had had its day and Rolls Royce were approached and supplied the R type which would later be developed into the Merlin.
The Supermarine S6 then went on to win the 1929 event and the Supermarine S6b won the 1931 event securing the cup for britain for ever.

The above is but a very brief outline of a fascinating story but then maybe I ought to get out more