New Holland, Smith Aviation S.1 (N2)
The Smith Aviation S.1 was a general purpose reconnaissance aircraft and bomber built for the Royal New Holland Air Force. Known in military service as the N2, it was flown by No. 4 Squadron from the aircraft carrier
Shearwater between 1928 and 1936. High loss rates led to its replacement with the Blackburn Baffin. The aircraft was designed by Herbert Smith following his departure from Mitsubishi and drew heavily from the B1M. It is notable for being New Holland’s first carrier-capable aircraft and the only type built by Smith Aviation before the firm’s closure.
In 1925 the RNHAF issued a requirement for a general purpose reconnaissance and bomber aircraft capable of carrier operations. This followed the government’s surprising and unexpected decision to acquire a small aircraft carrier. The aircraft was to have a crew of three (pilot, observer, wireless operator/gunner), a range of at least 500 miles (805 kilometres), a maximum bomb load in excess of 500 lbs (227 kg), and maximum dimensions no larger than 30ft (9 m) by 40ft (12 m).
A number of tenders were received. Towler Brothers and the Aeroplane Refurbishing Company (AeReCo) both built prototypes. From overseas came the Fairey IIID and the Blackburn R.2 Airedale. Having departed Mitsubishi the previous year, British aircraft designer Herbert Smith was in New Holland when the requirement was issued and postponed his retirement from the aviation industry to found Smith Aviation.
Working from his knowledge of the Mitsubishi B1M, Smith developed an improved model with the Hargrave Double Nine, an eighteen cylinder radial engine with an output of 500hp (373 kw). Armament included a fixed forward-firing Vickers gun, a Lewis gun on a Scarff ring, and bombs which could be carried beneath the wings.
The Smith S.1 prototype first flew in late 1926 and was handed over to the RNHAF for evaluation. Its performance was deemed satisfactory, something which could not be said for competing domestic designs and the Airedale. The IIID met the specified requirements, but was an older design with an uncertain future. Some consideration was given to purchasing the revamped IIIF. Ultimately, however, an order for sixteen examples of the Smith design was placed in 1927.
Entering service with the newly formed No. 4 Squadron in 1928, the Smith S.1 had a short and unassuming career. The type proved pivotal in developing New Holland’s understanding of carrier operations, but participated in no conflicts or notable events. Unfortunately, the S.1 had a high loss rate and, while flying was curtailed during the Great Depression, numbers dwindled. An urgent replacement was sought in 1935 and eighteen surplus Blackburn Sharks were acquired the following year. Remaining examples of the S.1 were written off shortly thereafter.
While producing the Smith S.1 for the RNHAF, Herbert Smith began working on a civil derivative tentatively named the S.2. However, the onset of the Great Depression in 1929 had a profound impact on the market and Smith Aviation closed before the design was finalised. Smith retired from the industry and left New Holland.