Landships II

Date: Dec 3, 2005

Australian water borne elephant

Date: Dec 3, 2005

Hello Robert

I have never heard of this<water borne elephant> But I do look forward to finding out more.

Good Luck on your reasearch

All The Best

Tim R.

Date: Dec 5, 2005

Red or Dead?

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/11/10/1068329484938.html?from=storyrhs

Date: Dec 5, 2005

David Maynard wrote:

Red or Dead?

Thanks - as usual with these things this answers many questions only to pose some new ones. The book on No 1 Sqnd AFC actually said Red but this must be a typo/missprint or the like. The fuselage in your photo is definitely an Elephant but the floats look as if they've come off a Sopwith Baby - one wonders how the Australians came by these. I still wonder how they armed the thing - the Elephant normally caaried one or two Lewises - one over the top wiing and one on for rearward defence on a swivel behind the pilot (which he had to be a contortionist to use). Neither appear to be fitted - there was no interrupter gear. I'm sure they couldn't have relied on the fear factor alone.

Date: Dec 5, 2005

A quick look through the AWM collections database

http://www.awm.gov.au/database/collection.asp

Searching on 'Martinsyde' turned up the same picture as the one in the article and mention of another, but nothing else. The article text mentions that the pilot fired to the rear which must have been fun trying to control something unstable!

Date: Dec 5, 2005

This is very interesting Gentlemen; I feel a scratch build project coming on!!!!!!

ATB

Tim R.