AD Navyplane
| Company type | Aircraft |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aviation |
| Founded | 1916 |
| Founder | Harold Bolas, R.J. Mitchell |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Reconnaissance floatplane |
The AD Navyplane was a reconnaissance aircraft developed by the British Admiralty's Air Department during World War I. Due to unsatisfactory performance during testing, the initiative to mass-produce this aircraft was swiftly discontinued.
Designed by the Admiralty's Harold Bolas with collaboration from R.J. Mitchell of Supermarine, the Navyplane featured a pusher configuration floatplane biplane design. The pilot and observer were seated in a streamlined, lightweight nacelle positioned between the upper and lower wings. Behind them was mounted a Smith Static radial engine driving a pusher propeller.
In 1916, two units were commissioned for the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). Although serial numbers were assigned to seven Navyplanes (9095–9096, N.1070–1074), only a single prototype (9095) was completed. Flight trials began in August 1916, piloted by Lieutenant-Commander John Seddon, but the aircraft was notably underpowered and did not meet expectations. Subsequently, the original engine was replaced with an AR.1 rotary engine (later renamed BR.1 for Bentley Rotary 1), and further tests took place in May 1917. Despite these modifications and flying without a military load or observer, performance remained inadequate, leading to the project's termination on 27 August 1917 without advancing to a second prototype.
Supermarine also attempted to develop an enhanced variant intended to replace the Short 184. This version, known as the Supermarine Patrol Seaplane, was designed to be powered by a 200 hp (149 kW) Sunbeam engine. Although six aircraft were ordered, construction ceased before any prototype was completed, as the Short 184 continued to fulfill patrol duties satisfactorily.
See also
References
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Andrews, C. F., and Morgan, E. B. Supermarine Aircraft since 1914. London: Putnam, 1987, ISBN 0-85177-800-3.
- Bruce, J.M. British Aeroplanes 1914-18. London: Putnam, 1957.
- Mason, Francis K. The British Bomber since 1914. London: Putnam, 1994. ISBN 0-85177-861-5.