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|type = Carrier |
|type = Carrier-based reconnaissance aircraft |
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|national origin=United Kingdom |
|national origin=United Kingdom |
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|manufacturer =[[Port Victoria Marine Experimental Aircraft Depot|RNAS Marine Experimental Depot, Port Victoria]] |
|manufacturer =[[Port Victoria Marine Experimental Aircraft Depot|RNAS Marine Experimental Depot, Port Victoria]] |
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The '''Grain Griffin''' was a [[United Kingdom|British]] [[Aircraft carrier|carrier]] |
The '''Grain Griffin''' was a [[United Kingdom|British]] [[Aircraft carrier|carrier]]-based reconnaissance aircraft developed and built by the [[Port Victoria Marine Experimental Aircraft Depot|RNAS Marine Experimental Depot, Port Victoria]], during the [[World War I|First World War]]. A development of the unsuccessful [[Sopwith B.1]] bomber, the Grain Griffin was a two-seat single-engined biplane that was built in small numbers for Britain's [[Royal Naval Air Service]], being used operationally during the [[Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War|British intervention in the Russian Civil War]]. |
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==Development and design== |
==Development and design== |
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In late 1916, [[Sopwith Aviation Company|Sopwith]] designed and built a prototype of a single-engined |
In late 1916, [[Sopwith Aviation Company|Sopwith]] designed and built a prototype of a single-engined single-seat bomber, the [[Sopwith B.1]]. It had demonstrated good performance, and had been briefly evaluated by the RNAS in the bomber role over the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]] in May–June 1917, but was rejected, with larger twin-engined bombers being preferred.<ref>Bruce (2001), pp. 1–6.</ref> |
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After its return from France, the prototype B.1 (serial no. ''N.50''), was sent to the [[Port Victoria Marine Experimental Aircraft Depot|RNAS Marine Experimental Depot]] at Port Victoria on the [[Isle of Grain]] for conversion to a two-seat reconnaissance aircraft, to be fitted with folding wings for operation from the [[Royal Navy]]'s aircraft carriers. A cockpit for the observer replaced the bomb-bay of the B.1 behind the pilot's cockpit, while the wings were shortened to allow them to fold. A hydroplane was fitted ahead of the undercarriage and floatation gear added to allow safe ditching at sea. It retained the [[Hispano-Suiza 8]] engine used by the bomber.<ref |
After its return from France, the prototype B.1 (serial no. ''N.50''), was sent to the [[Port Victoria Marine Experimental Aircraft Depot|RNAS Marine Experimental Depot]] at Port Victoria on the [[Isle of Grain]] for conversion to a two-seat reconnaissance aircraft, to be fitted with folding wings for operation from the [[Royal Navy]]'s aircraft carriers. A cockpit for the observer replaced the bomb-bay of the B.1 behind the pilot's cockpit, while the wings were shortened to allow them to fold. A hydroplane was fitted ahead of the undercarriage and floatation gear added to allow safe ditching at sea. It retained the [[Hispano-Suiza 8]] engine used by the bomber.<ref>Bruce (1957), p. 342.</ref> When the modified aircraft was tested in November 1917, it was found that the changes had greatly reduced the aircraft's performance, while handling was also poor, with little aileron control.<ref name=collyer54>Collyer (1991), p. 54.</ref> |
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The design office at Port Victoria had realised prior to the first flight that the proposed changes would not be beneficial to performance, and had commenced design of a modified design, based on the B.1, to solve these problems. These changes included new, longer-span, two-bay wings and a wider fuselage to give room to carry a radio for the observer. The new aircraft was given the name '''Grain Griffin'''. ''N.50'' was modified with the new wings and modified controls which greatly improved performance and handling.<ref name= |
The design office at Port Victoria had realised prior to the first flight that the proposed changes would not be beneficial to performance, and had commenced design of a modified design, based on the B.1, to solve these problems. These changes included new, longer-span, two-bay wings and a wider fuselage to give room to carry a radio for the observer. The new aircraft was given the name '''Grain Griffin'''. ''N.50'' was modified with the new wings and modified controls which greatly improved performance and handling.<ref name=collyer54/> |
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The first of the true Griffins, serial number N.100, powered by a 200 hp (149 kW) [[Sunbeam Arab]] engine started testing in June 1918. A further six Griffins followed, with one powered by the unreliable Arab and the remaining five powered by the 230 hp [[Bentley BR2]] [[rotary engine]].<ref name= |
The first of the true Griffins, serial number N.100, powered by a 200 hp (149 kW) [[Sunbeam Arab]] engine, started testing in June 1918. A further six Griffins followed, with one powered by the unreliable Arab and the remaining five powered by the 230 hp [[Bentley BR2]] [[rotary engine]].<ref name=collyer55>Collyer (1991), p. 55.</ref> |
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==Operational history== |
==Operational history== |
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[[File:HMSVindictive1919.jpg|thumb|160px|A Grain Griffin ditched alongside HMS ''Vindictive'', Baltic Sea, 1919]] |
[[File:HMSVindictive1919.jpg|thumb|160px|A Grain Griffin ditched alongside HMS ''Vindictive'', Baltic Sea, 1919.]] |
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The Griffins did not see service during the First World War. however, in July 1919, at least three Griffins were deployed on board the aircraft carrier |
The Griffins did not see service during the First World War. however, in July 1919, at least three Griffins were deployed on board the aircraft carrier {{HMS|Vindictive|1918|6}} when it sailed to the [[Baltic Sea]] in support of the [[British Campaign in the Baltic 1918–1919|British intervention in the Baltic]] as part of the [[Russian Civil War]]. The Griffin was replaced in service by the [[Parnall Panther]], which was chosen to equip the [[Royal Air Force]]'s Fleet Spotter squadrons.<ref name=collyer55/> |
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==Operators== |
==Operators== |
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|ref=British Aeroplanes 1914-18 <ref |
|ref=British Aeroplanes 1914-18 <ref>Bruce (1957), pp. 344–345.</ref> |
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<!-- Now, fill out the specs. Please include units where appropriate (main comes first, alt in parentheses). If an item doesn't apply, like capacity, leave it blank. For instructions on using |more general=, |more performance=, |power original=, and |thrust original= see [[Template talk:Aircraft specifications]]. To add a new line, end the old one with a right parenthesis ")", and start a new fully formatted line beginning with * --> |
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|crew=Two |
|crew=Two |
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{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
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*Bruce, J.M. ''British Aeroplanes 1914-18''. London:Putnam, 1957. |
*Bruce, J. M. ''British Aeroplanes 1914-18''. London:Putnam, 1957. |
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*Bruce, J.M. ''Sopwith B.1 & T.1 Cuckoo: Windsock Datafile 90''. Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, UK: Albatros Publications, 2001. {{ISBN|1-902207-41-6}}. |
*Bruce, J. M. ''Sopwith B.1 & T.1 Cuckoo: Windsock Datafile 90''. Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, UK: Albatros Publications, 2001. {{ISBN|1-902207-41-6}}. |
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*Collyer, David. "Babies Kittens and Griffons". ''[[Air Enthusiast]]'', Number 43, 1991. Stamford, UK:Key Publishing. {{ISSN|0143-5450}}. pp. |
*Collyer, David. "Babies Kittens and Griffons". ''[[Air Enthusiast]]'', Number 43, 1991. Stamford, UK:Key Publishing. {{ISSN|0143-5450}}. pp. 50–55. |
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<!-- ==External links== --> |
<!-- ==External links== --> |
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{{Port Victoria Aircraft}} |
{{Port Victoria Aircraft}} |
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{{wwi-air}} |
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[[Category:1910s British military reconnaissance aircraft]] |
[[Category:1910s British military reconnaissance aircraft]] |
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Revision as of 19:05, 4 October 2019
| Grain Griffin | |
|---|---|
| Role | Carrier-based reconnaissance aircraft |
| National origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer | RNAS Marine Experimental Depot, Port Victoria |
| Primary user | Royal Air Force |
| Number built | 8 |
| Developed from | Sopwith B.1 |
The Grain Griffin was a British carrier-based reconnaissance aircraft developed and built by the RNAS Marine Experimental Depot, Port Victoria, during the First World War. A development of the unsuccessful Sopwith B.1 bomber, the Grain Griffin was a two-seat single-engined biplane that was built in small numbers for Britain's Royal Naval Air Service, being used operationally during the British intervention in the Russian Civil War.
Development and design
In late 1916, Sopwith designed and built a prototype of a single-engined single-seat bomber, the Sopwith B.1. It had demonstrated good performance, and had been briefly evaluated by the RNAS in the bomber role over the Western Front in May–June 1917, but was rejected, with larger twin-engined bombers being preferred.[1]
After its return from France, the prototype B.1 (serial no. N.50), was sent to the RNAS Marine Experimental Depot at Port Victoria on the Isle of Grain for conversion to a two-seat reconnaissance aircraft, to be fitted with folding wings for operation from the Royal Navy's aircraft carriers. A cockpit for the observer replaced the bomb-bay of the B.1 behind the pilot's cockpit, while the wings were shortened to allow them to fold. A hydroplane was fitted ahead of the undercarriage and floatation gear added to allow safe ditching at sea. It retained the Hispano-Suiza 8 engine used by the bomber.[2] When the modified aircraft was tested in November 1917, it was found that the changes had greatly reduced the aircraft's performance, while handling was also poor, with little aileron control.[3]
The design office at Port Victoria had realised prior to the first flight that the proposed changes would not be beneficial to performance, and had commenced design of a modified design, based on the B.1, to solve these problems. These changes included new, longer-span, two-bay wings and a wider fuselage to give room to carry a radio for the observer. The new aircraft was given the name Grain Griffin. N.50 was modified with the new wings and modified controls which greatly improved performance and handling.[3]
The first of the true Griffins, serial number N.100, powered by a 200 hp (149 kW) Sunbeam Arab engine, started testing in June 1918. A further six Griffins followed, with one powered by the unreliable Arab and the remaining five powered by the 230 hp Bentley BR2 rotary engine.[4]
Operational history
The Griffins did not see service during the First World War. however, in July 1919, at least three Griffins were deployed on board the aircraft carrier HMS Vindictive when it sailed to the Baltic Sea in support of the British intervention in the Baltic as part of the Russian Civil War. The Griffin was replaced in service by the Parnall Panther, which was chosen to equip the Royal Air Force's Fleet Spotter squadrons.[4]
Operators
Specifications (Griffin (BR.2 engine))
Data from British Aeroplanes 1914-18 [5]
General characteristics
- Crew: Two
Performance
- Endurance: 5½ hours
- Climb to 10,000 ft (3,050 m): 15 min 55 sec
Armament
See also
Related development
Related lists
References
- Bruce, J. M. British Aeroplanes 1914-18. London:Putnam, 1957.
- Bruce, J. M. Sopwith B.1 & T.1 Cuckoo: Windsock Datafile 90. Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, UK: Albatros Publications, 2001. ISBN 1-902207-41-6.
- Collyer, David. "Babies Kittens and Griffons". Air Enthusiast, Number 43, 1991. Stamford, UK:Key Publishing. ISSN 0143-5450. pp. 50–55.