Tests were conducted on
Windermere in January 1913. It was later converted to a twin-float configuration and bought by the
British Admiralty. It now, however, proved too heavy and was converted again – this time to a landplane. An improved version, designated the
503, was demonstrated to the Inspector of Naval Aircraft, who placed an order for three machines. The prototype itself was demonstrated for the
Imperial German Navy in its seaplane trials in June 1913 and was purchased by the government of the
German Empire for evaluation purposes. This machine subsequently became the first aircraft to fly across the North Sea, from
Wilhelmshaven to
Heligoland, in September 1913.
Gotha purchased a licence from Avro and produced the type as the
WD.1 (
Wasser Doppeldecker – "Water
Biplane"). == Operators ==