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Looking at this Wikipedia image of the Supermarine Southampton flying boat, I noticed what at first looked like a small wheel. But then I thought it couldn't be, as a wheel would be pointless in a flying boat (not to mention, it appears to be only under the right wing).

Any idea what it could be?

enter image description here

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    $\begingroup$ I found multiple images online showing that object, and all but one appear to be copies of or painted from this photo. And that other one is smaller than this one. I did, however, find many images of various models of the Southampton Flying Boat that don't show that object, so it may have been specific to one Mark production, or mission-specific. $\endgroup$ – Zeiss Ikon May 28 at 12:50
  • $\begingroup$ A light? Something to create more drag? Looks like it doesn't have nearly enough drag! $\endgroup$ – quiet flyer May 28 at 15:39
  • $\begingroup$ I wonder if it’s a Yehudi camoflague. $\endgroup$ – Carlo Felicione May 28 at 16:42
  • $\begingroup$ Mooring ring? Mooring bollard (even though that usually refers to something on the ground rather than on the airplane)? $\endgroup$ – Camille Goudeseune May 28 at 17:04
  • $\begingroup$ While we're at it, what are those odd things on the top surface near the leading edge of the lower wing, just inboard of the tips? More Yehudi lights? But this aircraft appears to pre-date the time of experimentation with this form of camouflage-- see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yehudi_lights $\endgroup$ – quiet flyer May 28 at 20:14

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