The Donnet-Leveque flying-boat flown by Tom Sopwith at Juvisy on June 2, 1912, must have been very similar to this early example of the type. These photographs were taken on August 4, 1912, and this is probably the aircraft on which Lieutenant de Vaisseau Jean Conneau (“Beaumont”) made his unsuccessful attempt to fly from Paris to London five days later.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Donnet-Leveque Type A/B/C - ФранцияFrance - 1912

The second Sopwith Bat-Boat, powered by a 90 h.p. Austro-Daimler.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Sopwith Bat Boat - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1913

The first 1913 Bat Boat on the Sopwith stand at that year's Olympia Aero Show. The photograph illustrates the forward elevator, the warp ng wings and the inevitable absence of cross-bracing between the outermost interplane struts.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Sopwith Bat Boat - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1913

The first Sopwith Bat-Boat to have the 90 h.p. Austro-Daimler engine is seen here being assembled, early in 1913, in the abandoned roller-skating rink that Tom Sopwith acquired as his first factory in Kingston-upon-Thames.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Sopwith Bat Boat - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1913

These photographs bear no identity, place or date, but are known to have had a connection with the late Sir Thomas Sopwith. The aircraft conforms so closely with the description given in The Aeroplane of August 1, 1912, that it is very probably the first of all the Sopwith Bat-Boats, built that summer. Note the resemblance to the Donnet-Leveque. Although the Gnome engine and propeller were in place when these pictures were taken, it remains unknown whether any attempt was ever made to fly the aircraft.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Sopwith Bat Boat - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1913

These two photographs show the 1913 Olympia Bat-Boat at Folly on the Medina after being blown over by a gale in mid-March of that year. The forward elevator, the added struts between the hull and the upper ends of the central interplane struts, and the hull's single step are clearly seen.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Sopwith Bat Boat - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1913

This photograph of the unsuccessful Curtiss 1912 Model D Flying Boat appeared in a very early Curtiss sales brochure. Tom Sopwith may have learnt about it before or during his visit to the USA in August 1912, seven months after it was tested. It is probably pure coincidence that its configuration was generally similar to that of the later Sopwith Bat-Boats.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Curtiss Flying Fish - СШАUSA - 1912