Australian Military Aircraft - Chart 1

The Australian War Memorial
AUSTRALIAN MILITARY AIRCRAFT

CHART 1.: 1909-1918

A mural of Australian military aircraft, painted by Harold Freedman, adorns the Aeroplane Hall in the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. This reproduction of part of the mural depicts the aircraft flown by Australians from 1909 to 1918, and representative enemy aircraft of the 1914-18 War.

On 8 September 1909 the Australian Government offered a prize of five thousand pounds for "a flying machine . . . for military purposes". This was the dawn of military aviation in Australia. Eight years earlier a lighter-than-air military balloon had taken part in the Federation celebrations of 1901, foreshadowing the coming of the heavier-than-air machines. Similarly, two of the aircraft built with the Government's competition in mind — the Taylor glider and the Duigan biplane—became the unpowered and powered forerunners of military aircraft in Australia.

In 1912 the first five military aircraft —two B.E.2a biplanes, two Deperdussin monoplanes, and a Bristol Boxkite—were ordered for the newly formed Central Flying School at Point Cook. These aircraft first flew in Australia in 1914, and when the 1914-18 War commenced were used to train pilots for the Australian Flying Corps. As the training commitment grew other machines were purchased, and by 1918 thirteen different types of aircraft had flown at Point Cook. A New South Wales State Aviation School was also formed in 1916 and used, mainly, American machines.

The Australian Flying Corps became operational when the famous Half Flight went to Mesopotamia (Iraq) in 1915. This small but gallant force was the forebear of four operational, and four training squadrons formed between 1916 and 1918. No. 1 Squadron operated in Egypt and Palestine, Nos. 2, 3 and 4 Squadrons on the Western Front in France and Nos. 5, 6, 7 and 8 Squadrons formed the training wing in the United Kingdom. The squadrons comprised 460 officers and 2,234 other ranks, and used a variety of aircraft. Australians also flew other types of machines with the Royal Flying Corps, the Royal Naval Air Service, and—as from 1 April 1918 —the Royal Air Force. One Australian even flew with the French Flying Corps, and the Royal Australian Navy began to use shipborne aircraft in 1917. During the war Australians, individually, flew almost every type of aircraft, but in the main the Australian forces used about 40 different scout, reconnaissance, fighter, bomber and training machines. A study of these aircraft reveals the dramatic advance made in design and performance during the second decade of aviation. Although the Wright brothers made the first controlled and sustained aircraft flight on 17 December 1903, relatively little progress occurred until 1909. But the next nine years, and particularly the period from 1913, introduced many technical improvements. Aircraft engines, at first equivalent to small motor-cycle units, grew in size to large powerplants of 400 horse-power; speeds of a few miles-per-hour increased to over 130; and machines rose in height from several feet above the ground to over 20,000 feet. Aviation history was being made, and the air arm became a vital new defence element.

1. MILITARY BALLOON. Australia's first military aviation milestone occurred in 1901 when the Royal Engineers demonstrated a balloon at the Federation of Australia celebrations.

2. TAYLOR GLIDER. A glider constructed by G. A. Taylor, under the aegis of the army, was the first heavier-than-air craft to fly in Australia. This event occurred on 5 December 1909.

3. DUIGAN BIPLANE. On 16 July 1910 this biplane became the first Australian designed-and-built powered aircraft to fly. Speed: 40 mph. Engine: 25 hp Tilley. Span: 24 ft 6 in.

4. B.E.2a. Two Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2as carried the first Australian military aircraft numbers, CFS 1 and 2. Speed: 70 mph. Engine: 70 hp Renault. Span: 38 ft 7½ in.

5. BRISTOL BOXKITE. Boxkites— CFS 3 and 8 — were the first military aircraft to fly and be built in Australia. Speed: 40 mph. Engine: 50 hp Gnome. Span: 46 ft 6 in.

6. DEPERDUSSIN. Two Deperdussin single-seaters, CFS 4 and 5, were the first military mono-planes used in Australia. Speed: 50 mph. Engine: 35 hp Anzani. Span: 29 ft.

7. BLERIOT XI. The first gift aircraft, a single-seat Bleriot mono-plane, CFS 6, was presented to the Government in 1914. Speed: 66 mph. Engine: 50 hp Gnome. Span: 28 ft.

8. M.F. SEAPLANE / LANDPLANE. The presentation Maurice Farman seaplane, CFS 7, of 1914, was later converted to a land-plane. Speed: 60 mph. Engine: 70 hp Renault. Span: 53 ft.

9. CAUDRON G.III. Caudron CFS 9 served at Point Cook and two others operated with the Half Flight. Speed: 66 mph. Engine: 80 hp Gnome. Span: 43 ft 5 in.

10. BRISTOL SCOUT D. Scout D, CFS 10, was used in Australia and others served with Nos. 1 and 6 Sqns. Speed: 100 mph. Engine: 100 hp Gnome. Span: 24 ft 7 in.

11. GRAHAME - WHITE BOXKITE Two G.W. Boxkite trainers, CFS 11 and 12, were purchased in 1916. Speed: 50 mph. Engine: 50 hp Le Rhone. Span: 41 ft (Data estimated.)

12. F.E.2b. Fighting Experimental 2b, CFS 14, searched for SMS Wolf in 1917. Others went to the RFC. Speed: 91 mph. Engine: 160 hp Beardmore. Span: 47 ft 9 in.

13. M.F. LONGHORN. Maurice Farman Longhorn CFS 15 operated in Australia. Type also served overseas with the AFC. Speed: 59 mph. Engine: 70 hp Renault. Span: 51 ft.

14. M.F. SHORTHORN. Four Shorthorns, CFS 16, 17, 19 and 20, were employed in 1917-18. Others operated with No. 5 Sqn. Speed: 70 mph. Engine: 80 hp Renault. Span: 53 ft.

15. CURTISS JENNY. Four Jennies were purchased for the NSW Aviation School, Richmond, between 1916-18. Speed: 70 mph. Engine: 90 hp Curtiss OX-5. Span: 43 ft 7½ in.

16. B.E.2e. One B.E.2e, CFS 18, was assembled in Australia in 1918. 2es also flew with Nos. 1, 3, 4 and 7 Sqns. Speed: 82 mph. Engine: 90 hp RAF 1a. Span: 40 ft 9 in.

17. D.H.6. Eight Airco de Havilland trainers arrived in Australia, 1918. Others were used by Nos. 5 and 7 Sqns. Speed: 66 mph. Engine: 90 hp RAF 1a. Span: 35 ft 11 in.

18. AVRO 504K. Twenty 504K trainers were ordered for Point Cook in 1918. Also used overseas by the AFC. Speed: 105 mph. Engine: 130 hp Clerget. Span: 36 ft.

A. FRIEDRICHSHAFEN FF33E. A seaplane of this type from SMS Wolf operated off the Australian coast in 1917. Speed: 74.5 mph. Engine: 150 hp Benz Bz III. Span: 54 ft 11½ in. 

19. M.F. LONGHORN. In 1915 the Half Flight first went into action in Mesopotamia with one Longhorn and two Shorthorns. Speed: 59 mph. Engine: 70 hp Renault. Span: 51 ft.

20. MARTINSYDE S.1. Four single-seat Martinsyde scouts were also used by the Half Flight. Speed: 87 mph. Engine: 80 hp Gnome. Span: 27 ft 8 in.

21. B.E.2c. Used by Half Flight for first air supply to Kut, 1915-16. Also first air-VC, Nọ. 1 Sqn. Speed: 72 mph. Engine: 90 hp RAF. Span: 37 ft.

22. R.E.8. Reconnaissance Experimental 8s operated with Nos. 1 and 3 Sqns, and with No. 7 Sqn. Speed: 102 mph. Engine: 150 hp RAF 4a. Span: 42 ft 7 in.

B. ALBATROS D Va. These German scouts fought against the AFC in 1917-18. One is on display in the War Memorial. Speed: 116 mph. Engine: 180/200 hp Mercedes. Span: 29 ft 8 in.

23. BRISTOL SCOUT C. Several Scout C (and D) single-seaters were used by Nos. 1 and 6 Sqns in 1916-17. Speed: 92.7 mph. Engine: 80 hp Gnome. Span: 24 ft 7 in.

24. MARTINSYDE G. 100. No. 1 Sqn operated these long - range scouts. Also used by Lt F. McNamara, VC. Speed: 95 mph. Engine: 120 hp Beardmore. Span: 38 ft.

25. MARTINSYDE G.102. The G.102 superseded the G.100 in No. 1 Sqn. They were known as "Tinsydes" and "Elephants". '. Speed: 103 mph. Engine: 160 hp Beardmore. Span: 38 ft.

26. B.E.12a. The B.E.12a operated with Nos. 1 and 4 Sqns as single-seat versions of the B.E.2e. Speed: 105 mph. Engine: 150 hp RAF 4a. Span: 40 ft 9 in.

27. BRISTOL FIGHTER. The F.2B—Nos. 1, 3 and 7 Sqns—was the best two-seat fighter of the 1914-18 War. Speed: 119 mph. Engine: 275 hp Rolls-Royce Falcon III. Span: 39 ft 3 in.

28. HANDLEY PAGE 0/400. Lt Ross Smith operated one 0/400 with No. 1 Sqn and flew another from Egypt to India. Speed: 97.5 mph. Engines: 2 x 360 hp R-R Eagle VIII. Span: 100 ft.

C. HALBERSTADT CL Il. This German two-seater operated against the Australians in the ground-assault role. Speed: 103 mph. Engine: 160 hp Mercedes. Span: 35 ft 4 in.

D. RUMPLER C VII. Germany's best high altitude, two-seat reconnaissance biplane which opposed the AFC. Speed: 109 mph. Engine: 240 hp Maybach. Span: 41 ft 2 in.

E. A.E.G. C IV. Designed by the German General Electric Company, these two-seaters clashed with Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 Sqns. Speed: 99 mph. Engine: 160 hp Mercedes. Span: 44 ft 2 in.

F. D.F.W. C V. The AFC encountered many German D.F.Ws because they were built in such large numbers. Speed: 97 mph. Engine: 200 hp Benz. Span: 43 ft 6¾ in.

29. D.H.5. This scout equipped the first fighter sqn of the AFC— No. 2. Also used by No. 6 Sqn. Speed: 102 mph. Engine: 110 hp Le Rhone. Span: 25 ft 8 in.

30. S.E.5a. The Scouting Experimental5a equipped Nos. 2 and 6 Sqns. A replica of S.E.5a, C.9539, is in the War Memorial. Speed: 138 mph. Engine: 200 hp Wolseley Viper. Span: 26 ft 7½ in.

31. SOPWITH CAMEL. This famous fighting scout—1,294 enemy aircraft destroyed — served with Nos. 4, 5, 6 and 8 Sqns. Speed: 113 mph. Engine: 130/140 hp Clerget. Span: 28 ft.

32. SOPWITH SNIPE. The ultimate rotary-engined fighting scout of 1918. Used by Nos. 4, 5 and 8 Sqns. Speed: 121 mph. Engine: 230 hp Bentley BR2. Span: 30 ft.

33. SOPWITH BUFFALO. An experimental, armoured contact-patrol biplane attached to No. 4 Sqn. for trials. Speed: 114 mph. Engine: 230 hp Bentley BR2. Span: 34 ft. 6 in.

G. GERMAN OBSERVATION BALLOON.These German-originated, French-modified balloons were used by both sides. No. 4 Sqn destroyed 33 Drachens, as they were known.

H. ALBATROS D III. An outstanding German fighting scout of 1917 which fought against Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 Sqns. Speed: 103 mph. Engine: 160 hp Mercedes D Illa. Span: 29 ft. 8¼ in.

I. PFALZ D III. Another trim little German fighting scout of 1917-18, which opposed the Australian squadrons. Speed: 103 mph. Engine: 160 hp Mercedes D Ill. Span: 30 ft 10 in.

J. FOKKER Dr I TRIPLANE. In operation for less than a year but famous as the aircraft in which Richthofen was killed. Speed: 103 mph. Engine: 110 hp Le Rhone. Span: 23 ft 7¼ in.

34. NIEUPORT 11. A French single-seat scout representative of the many aircraft flown by Australians in other services. Speed: 96.8 mph. Engine: 80 hp Le Rhone. Span: 24 ft 9¼ in.

35. SPAD VII. Another French type flown by some Australians, including Lt C. E. Kingsford Smith. Speed: 119 mph. Engine: 150 hp Hispano-Suiza 8Aa. Span: 25 ft 8 in.

36. SOPWITH PUP. A single-seater operated by Nos. 5, 6 and 8 Sqns and HMAS Australia and Sydney. Speed: 111.5 mph. Engine: 80 hp Le Rhone. Span: 26 ft 6 in.

37. SOPWITH BABY SEAPLANE. A single-seat Sopwith Baby, N.1014, was the first aircraft to operate from an Australian warship. Speed: 98 mph. Engine: 130 hp Clerget. Span: 25 ft 8 in.

38. SOPWITH SHIPS STRUTTER. First two-seat landplane to take off from a British warship— HMAS Australia. Speed: 100 mph. Engine: 130 hp. Clerget. Span: 33 ft 6 in.

39. SOPWITH SHIPS CAMEL. Operated from HMAS Australia, Melbourne, Sydney. First RAN combat aircraft. Speed: 124 mph. Engine: 150 hp Bentley BR1. Span: 26 ft 11 in.

K. ZEPPELIN L.43. Flagship of 1916 German Zeppelin fleet. Fought against HMAS Sydney. Speed: 62 mph. Engines: 5 x 240 hp Maybach. Length: 644 ft 8 in.

40. SOPWITH TRIPLANE. Two Australian aces, R. A. Little (47 victories) and R. S. Dallas (39) flew this RNAS scout. Speed: 113 mph. Engine: 130 hp Clerget. Span: 26 ft 6 in.

L. GOTHA G V. Gotha bombers replaced Zeppelins in 1917. Capt Little was killed attacking Gothas. Speed: 87 mph. Engines: 2 x 260 hp Mercedes. Span: 77 ft 9¼ in.

41. ARMSTRONG WHITWORTH F.K.3. Representative of the many training aircraft flown by Australians in the UK. Speed: 87 mph. Engine: 90 hp RAF 1a. Span: 40 ft ¾in.

42. SOPWITH 1½ STRUTTER. Another representative trainer which was used by Nos. 4 and 6 Sqns. Speed: 100 mph. Engine: 130 hp Clerget. Span: 33 ft 6 in.

AN AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL PUBLICATION
(Text by Keith Isaacs)
1st Reprint Chart No. 1