To get extra life out of the inadequate Roc fighter, floats were fitted with the aim of producing a target tug to replace Blackburn Shark floatplanes used in the role by the FAA. L3059 was the prototype. It showed instability and was wrecked in an accident at the Helensburgh Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment in December 1939. A second conversion with an enlarged ventral fin was completed but its performance was poor. The FAA ended up replacing its Shark target tugs with landplanes. Photo from: Imperial War Museums

Wrecked when the starboard float collapsed on landing at Felixstowe on August 7, 1947. Photo from: Imperial War Museums

The prototype Saro London seen here doing development of the improved London II, Photo from: Imperial War Museums

Trials aircraft that became an instructional airframe. Photo from: Imperial War Museums

Originally conceived as a three-engined Supermarine Southampton under the designation Southampton X. Other than the name, the aircraft built had no connection to the Southampton and was renamed Scapa. Only 15 were built before production switched to the Supermarine Stranraer. Photo from: Imperial War Museums

The Flycatcher was one of the earliest aircraft designed specifically for carrier operation. It also could be fitted with floats or amphibious floats for operation from catapults. The floats in the photo are not amphibious. This early production aircraft has an Armstrong-Siddeley Jaguar engine. Flycatchers were also delivered with Bristol Jupiters. Photo from: Imperial War Museums

Early production MkII attached to the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment. It was delivered to 228 Squadron in April 1937 then passed to 240 Squadron when 228 converted to Sunderlands. K5258 became an early loss in World War II when it was shot down on December 19, 1939 while operating out of the Shetlands. Photo from: Imperial War Museums

The sole Parnall Prawn, a small flying boat. The engine nacelle could be tilted 22 degrees to keep its very small propeller clear of the water. Perhaps it never flew. The photo must have been taken in the second half of 1930 or perhaps a little later. In the background is a three-engine monoplane flying boat which must be the one and only Blackburn Sydney, serial N241, which first flew at Brough on 18 July 1930. Photo from: Imperial War Museums

Crashed Felixstowe August 11, 1919. Photo from: Library and Archives Canada