Early-type Sopwith Cuckoo N6954 from the Torpedo Aeroplane School at East Fortune engaged in torpedo practice off Dunbar in 1919. The Cuckoo was subcontracted to three firms but Blackburn built most of them (132) including this one. The trace behind the dummy Mk VIII torpedo was to help spot it in the water during recovery.

The sketch is a diagrammatic portrayal of the Blackburn developed torpedo gear for the Cuckoo, it was little altered for the Dart. The torpedo depicted is a dummy Mk IX. These 18in weapons were developed by the Royal Naval Torpedo Factory at Greenock in 1917 and were the first to be specifically created for aircraft use.

Although the sketch is from the Vickers Vildebeest manual, the torpedo equipment is that which was standardised until World War Two. It has all the elements developed for the Dart except that there is a reversion to the cartridge release system (as used by the early Shorts). Notable too is the increased nose down attitude of the torpedo which was favoured in the mid 1930s as ensuring a cleaner entry into water. A newer development was the electric heating element within the torpedo.

One of the export Swifts, one of the three built for the Spanish Navy, being paraded here at Brough in 1923 for a publicity photograph. The appearance of the undercarriage under full load should be noted also the need for a generous tail skid.

Rear view of N9542, the seventh production Dart. The original cockpit was circular but was subsequently enlarged by being cut back at the rear. The upper centre section slinging gear and the torpedo sighting bar can be seen

Close-up of the lower extremities of the Swift export model displays the substantial divided undercarriage, the torpedo crutches and pistol stop. A hand starting crank handle can be seen at upper right

В мае 1921 года собран первый прототип самолета Blackburn Dart, родоначальник большого семейства самолетов для авиации ВМС.
Immaculate Dart N9806 in front of a hangar at Brough. The aeroplane was presumably photographed after renovation as it has Handley Page slots fitted but still has the old deck landing hooks clamped to the stub axles. Tubular bomb carriers are fitted under the wings

Dart N9690 of the Torpedo Training Flight at Gosport circa 1926 drops its 'mouldie' (naval slang for torpedo) at a rather low level. The item at the rear of the torpedo is a drogue and when it entered the water a cable unwound and the drogue was dragged behind prevented the torpedo plunging too deeply and eventually slowing its passage to aid recovery.

F/O R C H Monk lands Dart N9552 on the deck of Courageous cruising off the Isle of Wight in 1928. Note that at this stage there were no arrester wires fitted to the deck. The Dart is from 463 Flight and sports the light blue sash of Courageous and the white Fleet number ‘74’.

Although this is the Dart seaplane G-EBKF, the contours of the nose are admirably revealed here which gave the Dart its pugnacious appearance. Note the extended exhausts intended to keep the torpedo warm during flight

Unidentified Dart with wing pennants (actually socks) indicating torpedo flight (blue and yellow).

The prototype Swift Mk I at Martlesham in January 1921. One of the various rudder/fin arrangements is seen here and the nose displayed in all its original ugliness. The wings have been swept back after Kenworthy’s hair-raising first test flight.

N9997 equipped with a stannic acid smoke-making canister off Leuchars.

F/L G Boyce of 462 Flight lands Dart N9804 on the deck of HMS Furious on May 6, 1926, the first nocturnal carrier deck landing. The Dart displays the red sash of Furious and the Fleet number ‘74’.

A New Blackburn: Three-quarter front view of the school seaplane, fitted with Napier "Lion" engine, which was flown very successfully recently.
Dart seaplane G-EBKF at Brough in 1925. The white undercoat discs seen on the wings where the RAF roundel would have been painted supports the theory that G-EBKF and her two sisters were diverted from an Air Ministry contract and acquired by Blackburn. Note the patent beaching wheels and beautifully made mahogany floats.

An unfortunate Dart from 461 Flight (Furious) upside down in the ‘drink’. The original caption stated that the dummy torpedo fouled the propeller when dropped, possibly caused by the pilot assuming too steep an angle immediately prior to the release.

The heart of the Dart, the tubular steel middle section with main tank and the detachable front section which enabled easy engine removal and replacement.

General arrangement of the depth control adjustment gear which had been developed for the single-seat Swift and Dart, it did not change over the years.

The main side and front views show the Dart on the ground (without full load) and with Handley Page slots, radio and night flying gear. The later cut-back cockpit is depicted and the skeletal side view shows a Mk VIII torpedo fitted with drogue.