Snipe

The Smith Snipe, produced by the British firm Herbert Smith Aeronautics in the late 1920s, was a single‑engine biplane that quickly became a benchmark for light sport and training aircraft. Designed by the eponymous engineer Herbert Smith, the Snipe first flew on 14 April 1928 from Brooklands and entered limited production the following year. Its wooden frame, fabric covering, and compact 75‑horsepower Armstrong Siddeley Lynx engine gave it a maximum speed of 115 mph and a gentle stall characteristic that made it ideal for novice pilots. Notable features included interchangeable wings for easy transport, a fold‑away cockpit with dual controls, and an innovative cambered aileron system that reduced control forces. Over 150 units were exported to clubs across Europe and the Commonwealth, where the Snipe helped standardize pilot instruction and introduced aerobatic manoeuvres into civilian curricula. The aircraft’s reliability and low operating cost contributed to the surge in private flying during the interwar period, and its design principles influenced later trainers such as the de Havilland Tiger Moth. Today, a handful of restored Snipes remain airworthy, serving as tangible links to early British aviation heritage.

Herbert Smith

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Design & Classification