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Australian Naval Aviation – Part 1

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Naval Aviation
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RAN Ships
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Publication
December 1972 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
The Sopwith Baby Seaplane, Nl0l4, which HMAS BRISBANE operated on loan from the aircraft carrier HMS RAVEN II. The seaplane is being hoisted inboard with the pilot, Flying Oflicer A. W. Clemson in the cockpit. This partictlar aircraft was one of a batch of 7l built under subcontract by the Blackburn Aeroplane and Motor Co Ltd, which were originally fitted with ll0hp Clerget rotary tractor engines. These small, compact seaplanes had a wing span of 25ft 8in, a length of 23ft, and a height of l0ft. Top speed was 98mph, with a 7,6O0Ft service ceiling. Armament comprised a Lewis machine-gun, and two 65lb bombs.

As from 1917 and 1918 the Australian light cruisers Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, together with the battle cruiser Australia, all carried shipborne aircraft during operations overseas. These Sopwith aircraft – Baby Seaplane, Pup, Camel and 1½ Strutter – which operated with the Royal Australian Navy are described in the following narratives. Also included are the Sopwith Triplane, and representative enemy machines of the Zeppelin and Gotha types which opposed the naval aircraft in flying operations.

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