tootrock Posted 2 October , 2019 Share Posted 2 October , 2019 The attached photograph was sent to a local history group, with no further information other than that it was taken at Rye Harbour, in Sussex, date and occasion unknown. The location is confirmed by the lighthouse on the far side of the river Rother. The question is, can anyone identify the plane? Since it is obviously on the river bank it is possible a seaplane. It may be connected with Alec Ogilvie, an early aviation pioneer (he was the seventh British person to qualify as a pilot) who operated from Camber Sands, which is downstream (to the right) from this location and across the river. It may not be WW1, but was obviously of that period. Any sugestions will be very welcome. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fellop Posted 2 October , 2019 Share Posted 2 October , 2019 Looks like a Maurice Farman Hydro Aeroplane which is a seaplane variant [version] of the Maurice Farman MF7 Longhorn. Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
researchingreg Posted 2 October , 2019 Share Posted 2 October , 2019 (edited) It looks like a 1914 Wight Pusher Seaplane, as it does not have a covered rear fuselage and a tailplane above the rudder and 7 sets of struts supporting each wing. The number 894 maybe a Royal Navy Number, as many Navy Seaplanes had numbers in the 800's Edited 2 October , 2019 by researchingreg Add photo of aeroplane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkTurner Posted 2 October , 2019 Share Posted 2 October , 2019 Wight Pusher seaplane 894 force landed Rye harbour 14.8.14 according to Royal Navy Aircraft serials and units by Sturtivant and Page. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
researchingreg Posted 2 October , 2019 Share Posted 2 October , 2019 Have a look at this Wikipedia Page https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wight_Pusher_Seaplane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tootrock Posted 2 October , 2019 Author Share Posted 2 October , 2019 Thank you all very much! Once again I am really impressed by the knowledge on this forum. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeMeech Posted 2 October , 2019 Share Posted 2 October , 2019 2 hours ago, tootrock said: The attached photograph was sent to a local history group, with no further information other than that it was taken at Rye Harbour, in Sussex, date and occasion unknown. The location is confirmed by the lighthouse on the far side of the river Rother. The question is, can anyone identify the plane? Since it is obviously on the river bank it is possible a seaplane. It may be connected with Alec Ogilvie, an early aviation pioneer (he was the seventh British person to qualify as a pilot) who operated from Camber Sands, which is downstream (to the right) from this location and across the river. It may not be WW1, but was obviously of that period. Any sugestions will be very welcome. Martin Hi For the history of this type 'The Wight Aircraft' by Michael H Goodall, Gentry Books Limited, 1973, Chapter 4 'The 1914 Navyplane' would be a good source. It includes copies of letters from Squadron Commander J W Seddon, commander at NAS Isle of Grain and Comdr. Arthur Longmore, CO at Calshot, questioning the strength of these ex-German order machines. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tootrock Posted 3 October , 2019 Author Share Posted 3 October , 2019 18 hours ago, MarkTurner said: Wight Pusher seaplane 894 force landed Rye harbour 14.8.14 according to Royal Navy Aircraft serials and units by Sturtivant and Page. Mark, Does this publication give any more details of this event? Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeMeech Posted 3 October , 2019 Share Posted 3 October , 2019 1 hour ago, tootrock said: Mark, Does this publication give any more details of this event? Martin Hi For interest Goodall's book (p.28) has the following: "No. 893 was completed on 20th July and was delivered from Cowes to Warsash on 9th August, where it was joined by No. 894 a few days later. After acceptance trials, the two machines left Calshot by air on 14th August for Grain Air Station. No. 893 arrived safely the same day, but 894 broke down at Rye and a party had to be sent from Cowes to fit a replacement engine. It eventually arrived at Grain on 20th August. The two machines were received by the Commanding Officer, Sqdn. Cmdr. J. W. Seddon, with something less than enthusiasm, ..." That is more than is in the Sturtivant and Page book (p.51) on this incident. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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