| Accession Number | P05837.003 |
|---|---|
| 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 and officers on board HMAS Australia watch as a Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter biplane aircraft ...
Description
Seamen and officers on board HMAS Australia watch as a Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter biplane aircraft (serial number 5644) takes off from a platform erected over the gun turret. 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. Negatives of this photograph are held at EN0343 and EN0544.