The AD Flying Boat was designed by the British Admiralty's Air Department to serve as a patrol aircraft that could operate in conjunction with Royal Navy warships.

The pilot and observer sat in tandem in the nose, with the engine and pusher propeller mounted behind them, between the wings.

[2] The aircraft performed poorly both on the water and in the air, demonstrating severe fore and aft vibration during take-off, while subject to excessive yaw during flight.

After these problems were solved by producing revised versions of the hull, and the fin and rudder, the AD Flying Boat was able to be ordered into production.

The reconfigured flying-boats provided accommodation for a pilot and three passengers in three open cockpits.