Royal Aeronautical Society Collection Gallery

Sempill British Aviation Mission to Japan, four planes

Advance Training Machines. William Francis Forbes-Sempill, 19th Lord Sempill AFC, AFRAeS (1893-1965) was a Scottish peer and record-breaking air pioneer who was later shown to have passed secret information to the Imperial Japanese military before the Second World War. In 1921, Sempill led an official military mission to Japan that showcased the latest British aircraft. In subsequent years he continued to aid the Imperial Japanese Navy in developing its Navy Air Service and began giving military secrets to the Japanese. Although his activities were uncovered by British Intelligence, Sempill was not prosecuted for spying and allowed to continue in public life. Seen here are a Gloster Sparrowhawk (centre foreground), a Blackburn Swift Mk.II (centre background), a Vickers Type 48 Viking IV (right) and a Supermarine Seagull Mk.II (left).

circa 1921

© The Royal Aeronautical Society (National Aerospace Library)/Mary Evans Picture Library

Airship Hangars at RNAS Pulham, Norfolk

Aerial view of the Airship Hangars at RNAS Pulham, Norfolk. The No. 2 shed (Southern shed), was dismantled in 1928 and re-erected at Cardington

© The Royal Aeronautical Society (National Aerospace Library) / Mary Evans Picture Library

Side view of airship R.33 (G-FAAG) in flight

Side view of airship R.33 (G-FAAG) in flight with collapsed nose

© The Royal Aeronautical Society (National Aerospace Library) / Mary Evans Picture Library