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Seaplanes

1918 , Felixstowe (Suffolk)

Cat no. 769

A technical film showing the seaworthiness trials of seaplanes used in World War I

The Short SP taking off from the water on flight trials. The PV5 seaplane takes off and lands with dock areas in the background. The seaplane manoeuvres on the water between moored sailing barges, warships and other craft. The next flight trials are of the Short 1081, according to the intertitle, although the seaplane carries the number 1084. The Short 310 is featured, including a close-up of the rudder. The Fairey N9 takes off and lands. A hand-written note on a frame reveals that this was shot on 15th November, 1918. Finally, a seaplane is brought out of a hanger and manoeuvred off the pier by a large group of airmen. It has small gun turrets on the upper set of wings near the engines. A different seaplane takes off and lands.

Featured Events

Trials of seaplanes

Keywords

Aviation; Marine aircraft; RAF; Royal Flying Corps; Seaplanes; World War I

Intertitles

Short SP seaworthiness trials. Trials of a PV seaplane. Trials of a Short seaplane 1081. Fitted with standard type of floats. Trial test of 310 Short seaplane. Test of Fairey seaplane N9.

Background Information

Seaplanes were based at Harwich from 1911. The Felixstowe Air Station was opened in 1913. Testing on seaplanes was carried out from 1914, the first being the Curtiss Flying Boat. The F1 was the first flying boat developed at Felixstowe. The seaplanes and flying boats enjoyed success against U-boats and Zeppelins during Word War I, especially the H12 and the F2a. In 1924 the Marine Aircraft Experimental Unit was transferred from Felixstowe from the Isle of Grain. It became known as the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment.

Manifestations

Seaplanes

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