Felixstowe F.2

The Felixstowe F.2 was a British twin‑engine flying boat that entered service in 1918 and became one of the most successful maritime patrol aircraft of World War I. Designed by Lieutenant Commander John Cyril Porte at the Royal Naval Air Station Felixstowe, the type was built by the Southampton‑based firm S.E. Saunders, which later evolved into the famous aircraft manufacturer Saunders‑Roe. The F.2 was a development of the earlier F.1, featuring a larger hull, improved hydrodynamic lines and a stronger internal framework that could tolerate the stresses of open‑sea operations. Powered by two 345 hp Rolls‑Royce Eagle V12 engines mounted in a pusher configuration, the aircraft achieved a top speed of about 95 mph, a service ceiling of 10 000 ft and a range exceeding 400 miles, allowing it to conduct long‑range reconnaissance, anti‑submarine patrols and convoy escort missions. Its spacious interior accommodated a crew of three to four, defensive armament of one or two .303 Lewis guns, and up to 600 lb of bombs or depth charges. The Felixstowe F.2 demonstrated the strategic value of large flying boats, influencing post‑war designs such as the Short Singapore and later Saunders‑Roe seaplanes, and cemented Britain's reputation as a leader in maritime aviation.