British planes in China

30 April 2004, 08:49 AM

Hi everyone,
I have just been researching a magazine article on the long-forgotten British leased territory of Weihaiwei in Northeast China (1898-1930). During my time there I came across a photo of three RAF floatplanes taking off in formation from this location, which I estimate to be 1918 to late '20s. If anyone fancies a crack at identifying them, please email me at nebbs@netvigator.com, and I'll send you a rather unclear but hi-res digital pic that I took of the photo, and a copy of the article when it's published, if you'd like to read it.

Many thanks,

Adam
Hong Kong

R Pope · 30 April 2004, 09:08 AM

Why not post your pix on this site? Guaranteed someone will ID them!

30 April 2004, 09:23 AM

it's 420k...too big for here, and not sure how to downsize...

MikeW · 30 April 2004, 10:17 AM

Quote:

it's 420k...too big for here, and not sure how to downsize...

Make sure that it's greyscale, reduce the pixel count, reduce the physical dimensions.

Some sw packages such as Paintshop Pro let you increase the JPEG compression.

The 50k limit refers to the saved file size - not the viewed file size which will be considerably larger.

Without seeing the photographs, I'll bet they are Fairy IIIBs or Cs.

If you can't reduce the photo you can email it to me and I'll post it for you.

Mike

30 April 2004, 11:09 AM

Thanks very much Mike, I have emailed you.

30 April 2004, 11:18 AM

Also, don't think they are Fairey III, as they seem to have radials and a 1/12 strut config.

wingstrutdotcom · 30 April 2004, 02:14 PM

If you cannot post email them to me I can post them through my website to here.

Dan_San_Abbott · 30 April 2004, 07:22 PM

Screenwriter:
The Royal Navy operated a carrier, I think it was the Ark Royal, They may have been Fairey Flycatchers, a single seater with a radial engine heavy staggered wings. I too would be interested. I was born in Canton. My father was instrumental in the establishing KMT Air Force.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

30 April 2004, 08:51 PM

Radial. Floatplane. Were they single seaters or two to three?
A bit early for Blackburn Sharks. Any sign of a serial number?

1 May 2004, 02:56 AM

The stagger is fairly normal, I'd say, and they look like single seaters, and serial numbers very hard to see. I sent Mike a pic and so it may be up here soon. Having looked at a pic of the Flycatcher, I'd say that is what they are. Definitely not the shark. Dan-San, interesting to hear that you were born in Canton. I've been here in Hong Kong for 17 years.
Thanks to everyone who's posted so far.

Adam