Snodgrass Photography Blog

Launched in 1912 Sopwith Aviation became a major manufacturer during World War 1. Some of their pre-war designs, notably the Tabloid landplane and Schneider and Baby float planes were quite outstanding for their time. Earlier types, such as the Sopwith-Weight Tractor and the Bat Boat are less well-known, but they at least attracted favourable interest from the Admiralty.

Sopwith-Weight Tractor and Bat Boat

This was the company’s first project and was built at Kingston on the site of a disused skating rink. Despite its inauspicious beginnings the machine was purchased by the Admiralty for the sum of £900, which would have been a welcome boost for the fledgling firm. Little is known about the aircraft’s history but no doubt it would have provided valuable experience for budding naval airmen.

Following this encouraging outcome, Sopwith produced the Bat Boat, which appeared in 1913 and was the first flying boat built in Great Britain. It too was purchased by the Admiralty, entering service with the embryo Naval Wing and taking part in the Royal Naval Review of July 1914. This one-off design, powered by a 100hp Green engine was used on sea patrols from Scapa Flow until November 1914.

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