| Accession Number | P05837.001 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Print silver gelatin |
| Maker |
Associated News Agency |
| Place made | Atlantic Ocean: North Sea |
| Date made | 1918 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Seamen hoist a Sopwith 1 1/2 strutter biplane aircraft (serial number 5644) for a flight from a ...
Description
Seamen hoist a Sopwith 1 1/2 strutter biplane aircraft (serial number 5644) for a flight from a platform erected over the star-board 12-inch gun turret of HMAS Australia. Several seamen are standing on the platform. The first flight by an aircraft from HMAS Australia took place on 18 December 1917, piloted by Flight Lieutenant (Flt Lt) (later Captain (Capt)) F M Fox, RNAS (later RAF); the first successful flight of a two-seater aircraft (carrying pilot only) was on 8 March 1918. On 4 April 1918, and again on 11 May 1918, Sopwith number 5644 successfully took off from HMAS Australia with a two man crew and wireless equipment, piloted on both occasions by Capt Fox. A negative of this image is held at EN0542.