Evening All,
This was my subject for the Multi-seat group build which has been running recently:
It is the Admiralty Department AD 1 floatplane which was designed in 1916 by H. Bolas as a reconnaissance and bombing machine. It was a conventional two bay biplane with a pusher layout. The tail unit was mounted on the upper booms to keep it clear of the water, and the tail also had two small floats.
The drawings were sent to Supermarine where detailed drawings were produced under the leadership of R. J. Mitchell in 6 weeks, and the first prototype was ready for trials in August 1916.
The machine was powered by a 150 hp Smith Static 10 cylinder Radial engine, which during trials underperformed and did not provide the power expected. Performance of the AD 1 was therefore disappointing.
In May 1917 the machine was equipped with a Bentley AR 1 rotary engine, but once again performance was poor so that the type was abandoned with only one prototype having been built.
Thanks for looking.
Stephen.
