The AD Scout, designed by Harris Booth from the British Admiralty’s Air Department, served as a fighter aircraft to protect Britain against Zeppelin bombers during World War I.
This unconventional biplane featured a fuselage pod on the upper wing and a twin-rudder tail connected by four booms, along with a notably narrow-track undercarriage.
Although it was meant to be armed with a 2-pounder recoilless Davis Gun, this weapon was never installed.
Ordered in 1915, four prototypes were constructed, with Hewlett & Blondeau and the Blackburn Aeroplane & Motor Company building two each.
Specifications
Crew
1
Length
22 ft 9 in (6.93 m)
Wingspan
33 ft 5 in (10.19 m)
Height
10 ft 3 in (3.12 m)
Powerplant
1 × Gnome Monosoupape 9 Type B-2,
9-cylinder air cooled rotary piston engine
100 hp (75 kW)
Propellers
2 bladed fixed pitch propellers
Performance
Maximum speed
84 mph (135 km/h, 73 kn)
Range
210 mi (340 km, 180 nmi)
Armament
Guns
1 x 2 pounder (40 mm) Davis recoilless gun.
Sources
Blackburn Aircraft since 1909-A J Jackson.
The British Fighter since 1912-P Lewis.
War Planes of the First World War, Fighters, Vol. 1-J M Bruce.
