The aircraft behaved safely in forced water landings and was easy to control, qualities the Royal Navy valued for operations in adverse conditions. Its strong airframe improved a pilot's prospects when a flight ended in the sea. The Sunbeam Arab engine was disliked for its unreliability, leading some airframes to become Wolseley Viper-powered Mark IIs with the same nominal horsepower but more dependable machinery. No. 210 Squadron retained the type until the Blackburn Dart replaced it in 1923.
Chapter · 34:11-35:27
Good handling, troublesome engines, and replacement by the Blackburn Dart
Pilots valued the Cuckoo's controllability and strong airframe, while engine reliability drove conversions and eventually replacement.