Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia

FAA Aircraft - Sopwith Baby

The transfer of a Sopwith Baby seaplane from the seaplane carrier HMS Raven to the Australian light cruiser HMAS Brisbane early in 1917 was the RAN's first involvement in naval aviation. The Sopwith Baby was built of wood, covered in fabric and equipped with a Lewis machine gun and two 65 lb bombs. During the hunt for the German raider Wolf, the Baby flew two flights each day as part of the search. When Brisbane was ordered to Australia in June 1917, the ship relinquished its aircraft.

Manufacturer: Sopwith Aviation Co Ltd
Type: scout and bomber seaplane
Delivered: 1917
Crew: one
Engine: one 110 hp Clerget
Speed: 100 mph
Range: 2 hrs 15 mins
Withdrawn: 1917

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