AD Navyplane
Air Department / Supermarine · United Kingdom · first flew 1916 · reconnaissance aircraft
The AD Navyplane was designed by the British Admiralty's Air Department as a reconnaissance aircraft for use during the First World War. Performance of the prototype was so disappointing that plans to produce it were cancelled almost immediately.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.46 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Pusher floatplane biplane
- Streamlined nacelle in the gap between the wings with pilot and observer ahead of the engine
- Propeller behind the nacelle driven by a rotary engine
Look for a pusher floatplane biplane with a short nacelle slung between the wings and the crew seated ahead of the propeller.
Specifications
- The AD Navyplane has a length of 8.46 m (28 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.97 m (36 ft).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It was designed by Harold Bolas with the assistance of R.J. Mitchell of Supermarine. Testing of the Supermarine-built prototype began in August 1916 and it proved seriously underpowered.
Variants
The original Smith Static radial engine was replaced with an AR.1 rotary engine, later redesignated BR.1, and retested in May 1917. Supermarine also attempted an improved Patrol Seaplane, but work was abandoned before a prototype was built.
Where you'll see it
Two examples were ordered in 1916 for the Royal Naval Air Service, but only one prototype was completed. The design was abandoned on 27 August 1917.
Related aircraft
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