Sopwith developed the Cuckoo, while Blackburn built it, establishing a parallel with Blackburn's later mass production of Fairey Swordfish. Blackburn's ability to manufacture other firms' designs mattered separately from its reputation for its own aircraft. Attempts to perfect the Cuckoo and solve the difficulties of dropping torpedoes slowed progress. Only about 90 aircraft had been delivered by 1918, and there was still no suitable ship ready to launch them. Plans considered converted merchant ships and carriers including Argus and Furious, leaving the aircraft and their operating platforms at different stages of readiness.
Notable Point · 17:06-18:28
Cuckoo production runs ahead of carrier readiness
Blackburn's production of Sopwith aircraft illustrates the industrial side of a strike plan still short of aircraft and launch platforms in 1918.