Japan's wartime alliance with Britain gave its naval officers access to British experiments with flying from ships. One officer served with Furious, studied takeoff and landing methods, and reported on the organization of British naval aviation after returning home. Japan then ordered six Sopwith Cuckoo torpedo bombers, adding British carrier-strike experience to its own earlier experiments with aerial torpedoes. The stronger claim that the Cuckoo became the direct model for all later Japanese torpedo bombers is rejected. This was selective learning through observation, reports, purchases, and existing Japanese experience rather than simple copying.
Notable Point · 22:56-25:12
Japanese officers learn from British carrier and torpedo-aircraft trials
Japanese participation in British flying trials and acquisition of Sopwith Cuckoo torpedo bombers transfers carrier-operating knowledge without making one British aircraft the template for every later Japanese design.