British Aircraft Mission Attached to the Imperial Japanese Naval Air Service, 1921

In 1921 the Japanese Government requested that Britain sent a mission. Despite Admiralty reservations, a Civil Aviation Mission was sent in September 1921.

The Master of Sempill led the mission of 30 instructors and further support staff. A number of aircraft types were supplied too, including Avro 504K trainers, Gloster Sparrowhawks, Parnall Panthers and Felixstowe F5 flying boats. The mission covered all aspects of naval aviation, including the use of flying-off platforms on the turrets of warships, before returning to Britain in 1922.