The aircraft first flew in 1922, entered service in 1923, and remained in service until 1931. It was built under Specification 3/21 as a naval fleet spotter-reconnaissance type. At a time when aircraft carried little ship-killing firepower, its greater value was extending battleship gunnery accuracy. The observer's map table supported navigation, plotting, and reporting beyond the fleet's visual horizon. This combination made an ungainly aircraft an important link between a battleship's guns and the information needed to use them effectively.
Chapter · 8:33-11:54
Why the Blackburn Blackburn was a fleet spotter
The Blackburn Blackburn's ungainly shape carried the equipment for two linked 1920s missions: battleship gun spotting and long-range fleet reconnaissance.