BRITISH SCHOOL (c.1913)
The Anzani floatplane, Sopwith Aviation Company
initialed and dated MP/13 (lower right)
watercolour and bodycolour
8.5 x 13.5 cm
the Anzani floatplane has extended wings and the Italian Anzani 100hp ten cylinder radial in place of the 80hp French designed Gnome rotary engine.
On 22rd June 1913 the Sopwith Aviation Company’s supply their first floatplane to the Admiralty only 10 weeks after it was ordered. The Sopwith Anzani went to the Calshot Naval Air Station to join the Navy’s Sopwith Bat Boat which had recently arrived from Kingston via Luke’s Boatyard on the Hamble, Hampshire where it was assembled.