British Military Biplanes

From the publisher

British Military Biplanes: 1912–19

The human ambition to fly was brought to fruition famously by the Wright brothers in 1903. Just five years later, the first military contracts were exchanged to develop an aircraft that could play a significant role in any future war.

Here was a machine that could have multiple purposes including fighter, bomber, search and rescue, and reconnaissance. By the time World War I began, the key nations had small numbers of aircraft at their disposal.
From this necessity, a whole new industry was born, and a scramble began to design and develop these machines of war. Alongside aircraft manufacture is the story of the development of a reliable engine that could provide sufficient power to propel the aircraft to further distances and greater heights.

This volume introduces 115 aircraft designed and developed between 1912 and 1919. Many of these early military machines have become the stuff of legends and their innovative and fearless designers celebrated by legions of enthusiasts. Some of the aircraft included are the Bristol Boxkite, Avro 504, Sopwith Tabloid Scout and Britain’s first long-range heavy bomber, the Handley Page O/100.

Also covered are experimental and prototype aircraft produced in small numbers, ultimately unsuccessful commercially, but each adding to the knowledge and experience that propelled the industry forwards.