The Blackburn B-20 was an experimental aircraft, first flying in 1940, that attempted to drastically increase the performance of flying boat designs. Blackburn Aircraft undertook an independent design study based on a patent filed by their chief designer, John Douglas Rennie [1] for a retractable pontoon float that formed the planing hull.

At the time the B20 was being developed, Blackburn had a parallel project to produce a two or three-seat twin-engined aircraft for the Royal Navy, fast enough to be used as a fighter but with the range to be used as a fleet spotter (presumed to be for Air Ministry Specification S9/36).

The unique Blackburn B20, which was built at Blackburn Aircraft works at Dumbarton, was a twin-engine reconnaissance aircraft designed to meet Specification R.1/36.

Today we’re looking at the Blackburn B-20. This was a flying boat aircraft that used an ingenious mechanism to raise its main hull out of the water, giving its engines and wings a better...

2023年4月21日 · Kept secret until 1945, the Blackburn B20 was a classified experimental flying boat most renowned for its innovative lower fuselage which could be retracted or extended depending on whether it was floating or flying.

2021年1月20日 · An excellent view of the Blackburn B-20 highlighting the aircraft’s extended hull, retracted wingtip floats, and well-engineered cowlings for the Vulture engine.

The Blackburn B-20 was an experimental aircraft, first flying in 1940, that attempted to drastically increase the performance of flying boat designs. Blackburn Aircraft undertook an independent design study based on a patent filed by their chief designer, John Douglas Rennie for a retractable pontoon float that formed the planing hull.

2018年5月15日 · Britain's long-ranging coastline and free access to surrounding seas made it a priority for its military to field a fleet of capable flying boats in the post-World War 1/pre-World War 2 period.

2021年4月16日 · Though the Blackburn B20 wasn’t chosen as the new patrol aircraft, the RAF recognised that Blackburn had come up with something potentially revolutionary and so …

2020年11月23日 · The B20 was an attempt to create a flying boat with a slim streamlined fuselage, by have the entire planing hull of the aircraft extend for landing. Note the outriggers also fold up into the wings, forming the wingtip bulbs seen in OP's photo.