Air Enthusiast 1998-01 / M.Goodall - Wight Elephants

AD Type 1 No.1000 moored at Calshot after removal of engines. Note the absence of the external radiators and armour plate and also the deeper central nacelle.

Air Enthusiast 1998-01 / M.Goodall - Wight Elephants

AD Type 1 No.1358 under construction at West Cowes. Note temporary struts to upper wing extensions and Admiralty Type 840 on the right with folded wings.

Другие самолёты на фотографии: Another planes on the photo: Wight 840 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1915

Air Pictorial 1958-02 / Photos by request

MAJOR AND MINOR. Photographed on the maker's slipway (J. Samuel White & Co. Ltd. of Cowes. l.o.W.) in 1916 are two lesser-known naval prototypes: (left) the Air Dept. of the Admiralty A.D.1000 five-seat torpedo-bomber (serial 1358) and the White Baby single-seat scout (serial 9097). Three of the latter were built, but, like the 115-ft.-span A.D.1000, the 30-ft. 8-in.-span Baby was not operationally successful. The twin-boom A.D.1000 had two tractor (and one pusher) 3 10-h.p. Sunbeams, while the Baby had a 100-h.p. Gnome Monosoupape rotary.
No.1358 on the slipway at West Cowes. The armour plate for the engines and radiators is clearly visible. Alongside is a Wight Baby Seaplane.

Другие самолёты на фотографии: Another planes on the photo: Wight Baby - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1916

Air-Britain Aeromilitaria 2000-04 / Picture pages

The dropping of torpedoes from aircraft was an early project of the Admiralty. In 1914, a Mr Harris Booth of the Air Dept designed a seaplane suitable for hoisting aloft an 18-inch torpedo. It had three 310 hp Sunbeam engines, one mounted behind the cockpit and two in the nose of the two tail booms. The crew lived in a large greenhouse. One prototype was built by Whites as the A.D.1000 but no more were built.
The second A.D. Type 1 to be laid down. No 1358, was the first to fly. This photograph clearly illustrates how the armour about the engines and radiators deprived the crew of any lateral view.

Air Enthusiast 1998-01 / M.Goodall - Wight Elephants

No.1358 at West Cowes after launching.

Air Enthusiast 1998-01 / M.Goodall - Wight Elephants

No 1358 at West Cowes. The ‘greenhouse’ is all too obvious!

Air Enthusiast 1998-01 / M.Goodall - Wight Elephants

Front view of No.1000 showing redesigned central nacelle.