Felixstowe F.1

The Felixstowe F.1 was an experimental British flying boat designed and developed by Lieutenant Commander John Cyril Porte of the Royal Navy at the Seaplane Experimental Station, Felixstowe based on the Curtiss H-4 with a new hull.

Development
Before the war Porte had worked with American aircraft designer Glenn Curtiss on a trans-atlantic flying boat. Due to the start of the Great War he returned to England to command the naval air base at Felixstowe, Suffolk. Porte decided that the original Curtiss flying-boats that the Royal Navy had acquired could be improved and a number of modifications to in-service flying-boats was made. The modifications had a mixed result so Porte using the experience gained developed a new single-step hull known as the Porte I. The new hull used the wings and tail unit of an H-4 and was powered by two Hispano-Suiza engines and the new flying boat was designated the Felixstowe F.1. During trials of the F.1 two further steps were added to the hull which greatly improved the performance of the flying-boat. Porte went on to design a similar hull for the larger Curtiss H12 flying boat, which became the Felixstowe F.2.

Operators

 * Royal Naval Air Service
 * Royal Naval Air Service