Page "Imperial German Navy" Paragraph 58

In 1910 Prince Heinrich had learnt to fly and supported the cause of naval aviation.

In 1911 experiments took place with Albatros seaplanes and in 1912 Tirpitz authorized 200, 000 GM for seaplane trials.

The Curtiss seaplane was adopted.

By 1913 there were four planes, now including a British Sopwith and long term plans to create six naval air stations by 1918.

By 1914 there were twelve seaplanes and one land plane and an 8. 5 million GM budget.

Trials in 1914 using sea planes operating with the fleet were less than impressive, when out of four taking part one crashed, one was unable to take off and only one succeeded in all tasks.

The most successful plane had been the British design, and indeed experiments in Britain had been proceeding with the support of Winston Churchill, including converting initially ferries and liners into aircraft tenders and aircraft carriers.