Short 184 Seaplane in flight over the ocean bearing World War I Royal Naval Air Service livery, and a pair of bombs.

Watercolor on paper with inked details and applique aircraft mounted to cardboard

Verso stamped: "JUVENILE PRODUCTIONS LIMITED/LUDGATE HOUSE/110-111 FLEET STREET/LONDON, E.C.4."

Dated 14 MAY 1941, indicating it was likely prepared for one of the many patriotic publications depicting British aircraft that year.

16.875" x 10.5"

Unsigned, with old tape on the reverse edges from previous mounting, and the penciled numbers 523 and 54947.

A detailed illustration of the Short 184 seaplane in flight, equipped with bombs and sporting the Royal Naval Air Service livery used during World War I.

Designed by Horace Short of the famed Short Brothers, the Short 184 provided the RAF with its first practical torpedo bomber thanks to its 225-horsepower Sunbeam engine. Featuring folding wings for carriage aboard ship, a crew of two, and a single engine, over 900 aircraft of this type were manufactured, rendering it one of the most consequential and influential naval aircraft of its day. 1915 marked the first flight for the aircraft, which, flying from HMS Ben-my-Chree, became the first airplane to attack an enemy warship with a torpedo. Royal Naval Air Service pilots used the aircraft in commerce raiding missions during the Gallipoli campaign, performed antisubmarine patrols, and performed numerous scouting missions.

Represented in this illustration for Juvenile Productions Limited, dating to World War II, this original illustration represented the early success of the then-renamed Fleet Air Arm.

A richly colored representation of an important British seaplane long after its official retirement. 

[Art, Folk Art, Military Art, Etching, Engraving, Lithographs, Prints, Ephemera]

Very Good. Some age toning to the reverse side with few dark specks on obverse. Some flaking tape to the rear edges and sighs of slight flaking. Applique aircraft remains secure.